Drama

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‘Theatre captures and reflects the world, and is always informed by the time and culture in which it is created.’

Joanna Read, Theatre Director (First female principle of LAMDA 2010) https://thoughteconomics.com,theatre-performance-and-society/

By using Drama as a tool to promote emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy and social conscience amongst our pupils, we intend to equip them with the ability to navigate a rapidly changing world. We will create opportunities for them to express their ideas and form their values, whilst nurturing their creativity, talents and imagination.

Pupils will ‘journey’ through the history of Theatre exploring how the social, cultural and historical context of each period has influenced the style and design of performances. Pupils will implement this knowledge and understanding as they develop their own performing and devising skills. Pupils will assess the impact of their work, and the work of others, developing their ability to analyse and evaluate through verbal and written responses.

The Drama curriculum aims to:

  • Allow pupils to learn about the world we live in and how it influences and shapes drama.

  • Provide opportunities for pupils to learn how to work effectively with others through collaboration.

  • Inspire pupils to create highly engaging performances that communicate meaning.

  • Challenge pupils to understand their own and others’ opinions through analysis and evaluation.

Key Stage 3 - Explorers of Theatre

Pupils will ‘journey’ through the history of Theatre exploring how the social, cultural and historical context of each period has influenced the style and design of performances.

Pupils will implement this knowledge and understanding as they develop their own performing and devising skills. Pupils will also assess the impact of their work, and the work of others, developing their ability to analyse and evaluate through verbal and written responses.

The Drama curriculum aims to:

  • Allow pupils to learn about the world we live in and how it influences and shapes drama.
     

  • Provide opportunities for pupils to learn how to work effectively with others through collaboration.

  • Inspire pupils to create highly engaging performances that communicate meaning.

  • Challenge pupils to understand their own and others’ opinions through analysis and evaluation.

Year 7

  • Working Together
  • Greek Theatre
  •  Commedia Dell’arte
  • Elizabethan Theatre

Year 8

  • Melodrama
  • Pantomime
  • Naturalism
  • Epic Theatre

Year 9

  • ‘Blood Brothers’
  • ‘Noughts and Crosses’
  • Devising Theatre

 

Key Stage 4 - Makers of Theatre

Students who opt to study Drama at GCSE will follow the AQA syllabus. The course develops a range of practical, creative and performance skills. Allows pupils to work imaginatively and creatively in groups, developing and communicating ideas. It also develops transferable skills including, analysis and independent enquiry, that can be applied to a wide range of subjects.

Students are assessed in three areas:

Component 1: Written Exam

40%

Students sit an exam (1 hour 45 mins) at the end of the course in which they answer a series of questions on theatre knowledge and understanding, a set text and live theatre they have seen.

Component 2: Devised Performance

40%

Students create a group performance exploring a stimulus. This performance is filmed in front of a live audience.

Students will individually write a piece of coursework (2,500 words) that outlines the devising process.

Component 3: Scripted Performance

20%

Students study and perform 2 extracts from a scripted play and perform these to a visiting examiner.

Students who opt to take Drama GCSE will need to have a genuine interest in performing and enjoy working as a group.

It is also compulsory for all pupils to attend evening theatre trips as well as lunch time and after school rehearsals when preparing for performances.

Exam Board: AQA (specification 8261)

For further details, please visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama/gcse

Key Stage 5 - Innovators of Theatre

Students who opt to study A Level Drama will follow the AQA syllabus and will develop:

  • Their interest in and enjoyment of drama and theatre, through experience as audience members and through the development of their own dramatic and theatrical skills.

  • Their knowledge and understanding of the social and cultural contexts of drama and theatre through detailed study of dramatic texts in their context, and of the work of prescribed theatre practitioners.

  • The ability to respond critically and sensitively to a range of drama texts and to theatre in performance through studying and attending theatrical performances different periods, styles and with different aims.

Students are assessed in three areas:

Component 1:
Drama and Theatre

40%

Students will sit a written exam (3 hours) at the end of the course in which they answer a series of questions on two set texts and live theatre they have seen.

Component 2: Devised Theatre

30%

Students create a group performance exploring a stimulus. This performance is filmed in front of a live audience.

Students will individually write a piece of coursework (3000 words) that outlines the devising process.

Component 3:
Performance of Plays

30%

Students will study and perform 3 extracts from 3 different scripted plays.

They will perform extract 3 to a visiting examiner and prepare a piece of written coursework (3000 words) that outlines their rehearsal process.

Students who opt to take Drama A Level will need to have a genuine interest in performing and enjoy working as a group. It is also compulsory for all pupils to attend evening theatre trips as well as lunchtime and after-school rehearsals when preparing for performances.

Exam Board: AQA (specification 7262)

For further details please visit: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama/a-level
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