Subject Vision

Students at St Alban’s deserve a broad and ambitious Drama curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which immerses students in a range of theatre styles. The curriculum will encourage students to become confident in performing and presenting to an audience. They will be independent thinkers, who will be able to create original work and critically analyse their own work, that of their peers and professional theatre. Students will have an appreciation of their own work and that of others, always demonstrating respect and empathy.

The Drama curriculum will give students the opportunity to:

• develop creativity through understanding the benefits of participation in the arts, performance and creativity during their school journey;
• develop co-operation & collaboration;
• develop confidence in communication through developing vocal and physical skills and presenting to an audience.
• explore issues though drama and respond with empathy, understanding and sensitivity.
• be exposed to different peoples’ perspectives and emotions on issues and events;
• use subject specific vocabulary effectively;
• study the history and influence of different practitioners on drama;
• develop an understanding of how to apply and analyse different stylistic qualities such as Naturalism, Physical theatre, Epic theatre and Surrealism;
• develop an ability to evaluate their own and others’ work.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Overview

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Aut.1	Basic Skills	Commedia Dell Arte	Sparkleshark – approach to a script.  Stanislavski
Aut.2	Pantomime	WW1 – response to a stimulus Choral speaking and Movement
Spr.1	Physical theatre	The Play that Goes Wrong – approach toa a script	Romeo and Juliet Response to a script     Blood Brothers – Exploration of a script
Spr.2	Devising from a Stimulus	Let Him Have it – exploring a theme
Sum.1	A Midsummer Night’s Dream	The Tempest	GCSE Drama PATHWAY – Ensemble Skills Devising Drama Skills Responding to a stimulus.
Sum.2	Silent Movies	Devising theatre

Where does this subject lead me?

Whether you prefer performing or being backstage drama can develop your confidence, communication and teamwork skills and if you are involved in planning or organising a performance then these skills can be useful in many jobs.

The skills you gain from doing drama can lead to careers such as performing arts, media, business, law, advertising, sales, hospitality and tourism.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Overview

	Year 10	Year 11
Aut.1	Practitioners Theatre styles	Component 2 Staging and Rehearsal
Aut.2	Response to a text An inspector Calls	Component 2 Performance of a Script
Spr.1	Monologues and Duologues Performance of a text	Component 3 Performance and Response Staging and Rehearsal
Spr.2	Component 1 Preparation – response to stimulus	Component 3 Performance and Response Semiotics and Characterisation
Sum.1	Component 1 Rehearsal	Exam revision
Sum.2	Component 1 Performance and evaluation

Where does this subject lead me?

Drama GCSE provides a preparation for the two year A Level Drama and Theatre Studies course, plus other Post-16 Drama and Performing Arts courses. Many employers increasingly value the importance of Drama because of the inter-personal skills it develops.

Career Options

Whether you prefer performing or being backstage drama can develop your confidence, communication and teamwork skills and if you are involved in planning or organising a performance then these skills can be useful in many jobs.

The skills you gain from doing drama can lead to careers such as performing arts, media, business, law, advertising, sales, hospitality and tourism. 

• BBC Bitesize website: videos of young people who are working in jobs that use Drama
• Careers Pilot: example careers that this subject can lead to
• Creative Industries: explore a wide selection of creative careers
• Apprenticeship courses: Info on what an apprenticeship is and courses available

Key Stage 5 Curriculum Overview

	Year 12	Year 13
Aut.1	Theatre practitioners Set text Section B	Component 3 Set text Section C Woyzeck Director’s interpretation
Aut.2	Component 3 Set text Section B	Component 2 Monologues and Duologues Exploration and rehearsal
Spr.1	Component 1 Devising theatre – exploration of stimulus material	Component 2 Monologues and Duologues Performance
Spr.2	Component 1 Devising Theatre – development and rehearsal	Component 3 Section A,B and C
Sum.1	Component 1 Devising theatre – Final performance and Portfolio Component 3 Section A Live theatre review	Component 3 Section A,B and C
Sum.2	Set text Section B

Where does this subject lead me?

Further Education

This A-Level can lead to further study in Drama.  Theatre Studies and Performing Arts in Higher Education at degree or HND level.  It can be used as part of your course to broaden and enrich your studies and may lead to a career in the performing arts industries or within any professional role requiring public speaking, communication skills and empathy.   

For example university degree courses careers leading from this subject click here.

Creative Industries: explore a wide selection of creative careers

Apprenticeship courses: Info on what an apprenticeship is and courses available

Careers Information

Drama based university degree courses careers leading from this subject click here.

Creative Industries: explore a wide selection of creative careers

Apprenticeship courses: Info on what an apprenticeship is and courses available

Other Information

Facilities

Drama is taught in two fully equipped studios with lighting and sound. We have an extensive costume and props store and students can access a library of play texts and scripts.

School Productions

Two school productions take place each one. The whole-school production takes place in February and the second for students in years 7&8 in July. Recent whole-school productions have included ‘School of Rock’ (2022), ‘The Addams Family’ (2023), ‘Little Shop of Horrors (2024) and ‘Sister Act’ coming in 2025. Last years year 7&8 production was ‘Matilda’ Junior and in 2025 we are hoping to perform ‘Annie’.