Departmental aims

Through their work in Drama, pupils should:

• Develop a sense of aesthetic understanding

• Gain confidence in their own abilities, particularly to communicate verbally and non-verbally

• Learn to trust, respect and where necessary depend on others

• Be challenged and encouraged to move beyond the representation of all stereotypes, especially in the areas of gender and race

• Use a range of dramatic forms to express ideas, feelings and deepen understanding

• Practice to means of dramatic expression with fluency, vitality and enjoyment

Departmental Objectives

Through their Drama work, pupils should:

• Acquire a knowledge of drama form, techniques and skills

• Be able to select and apply Drama form and techniques to create meaning

• Be able to evaluate their own work and the work of others

• Have a greater sense of self awareness and self-worth

• Be able to adapt to and adjust to any demands made by the teachers of the group eg being prepared to take creative risks

• Develop the potential for further study of Drama and Theatre Studies through the use and understanding of Drama processes and practices.

KS3

Year 7, 8 and 9 are taught in mixed ability form groups.  They receive one lesson of Drama every 2 weeks.

The curriculum in KS3 is based firmly on the National Curriculum for English and covers all aspects of the provision for Drama.  As such it provides opportunities for discussion, improvisation, devising, scripting and performing as required for Speaking and Listening as well as covering Shakespeare in increasing depth.  Drama skills are introduced in Year 7 and further developed through the following years.
While the Schemes of Work provided are detailed and challenging, each teacher is expected to adapt them to meet their own strengths and the needs of each individual class.   With this in mind the Department places much importance on the “Creativity and Critical Thinking” in the cross curricular suggestions of the National Curriculum.

“By engaging in creative activities young people can develop the capacity to influence and shape their own lives and wider society.  Everyone has the potential for creative activity and it can have a positive impact on self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and overall achievement” (QCA).

KS4

The Edexcel GCSE course is divided into 3 units:
Unit 1 is worth 30% of the total marks.  There is a six hour practical exploration of drama.  This will take place over 3 weeks of lessons.

The pupils will then be expected to write a documentary response of up to 2,000 words which will be written under controlled conditions based on the students own notes.

Unit 2 is also worth 30% of the total marks.  There is a six hour practical exploration of a play.  This will take place over 3 weeks of lessons. 

The pupils will then be expected to write a documentary response of up to 3,000 words including an evaluation of a live performance of a complete play..

This will be completed under controlled conditions based on the students own notes.

Unit 3 is worth 40% of the total marks.  The pupils will work as part of a group to create a performance.  This will be shown to an examiner who will mark each pupil as an individual.  The theme each year is set by the exam board. 

KS 5

In following this course the students will gain a deeper understanding of how theatre works and they will have the opportunity to be a performer, a designer, a director and an active audience member.

AS

There are 2 units in this AS course. 

Unit 1 – Exploration of Drama and Theatre – the student will work practically on two plays chosen by the teachers and complete a set of notes (under controlled conditions) covering both plays.  They must also see at least one live theatre performance and complete a written evaluation of it.
Unit 2 – Theatre Text in Performance – there are two sections.  The first section requires the student to offer either a monologue or a duologue, or a design skills in support of the performers.  The second section requires the student to contribute to the performance of a professionally published play, either as a performer or designer.  The work is marked by an external examiner.

A2

There are 2 units in this A2 course.

Unit 3- Exploration of Dramatic performance – this unit requires the creation of a unique and original piece of theatre.  The knowledge and understanding gained in the AS units will now be applied to a created production.  Students will be assessed on both the process of creation and the finished production in the form of a performance to an invited audience.

Unit 4 – Theatre Text in Context – this externally examined written unit requires the detailed study of one prescribed play and one prescribed historical period of theatrical development.

This unit is divided into two sections:
In Sections A & B students will have to study one play from a choice of three, developing and shaping their ideas for a proposed production of the play from the perspective of a director.