Drama

Head of Department: Mrs C Richards
Faculty Staff: Mr A Psirides, Ms E Tate
Level of teaching: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5

We are a vibrant, caring, exciting and innovative department where students are challenged, achieve highly and enjoy a wide range of ‘creative’ experiences. Our primary aim for drama is to enable our students to develop their creative minds, become sensitive to the needs of others as well as communicate effectively. We want their journey in drama to be a shared experience – for them to have ownership of the work they create and have high expectations of both others and themselves.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

In Drama, we aim to build confidence, develop communication, form great relationships and promote excellent teamwork – those skills that are so important to life. Students will participate in performance, creating and responding to work they have seen both professionally and in lessons. They are assessed on three different areas, rehearsing, performing and evaluating. The focus here is on developing their group skills, their practical understanding of performance, and on reflecting on what they have achieved and moving forward for the next challenge. Across Key Stage 3 we ensure progress to equip our students to study drama at GCSE. It is important that they grow to see the world in a wider context and, through our schemes, we encourage this broader perspective.

Year 7


Terms 1 & 2
Mime and Movement – an introduction to the basic elements of physical drama

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – practical exploration of the world of Roald Dahl through character development and improvisation


Terms 3 & 4
Use of Voice – communicating through words and sounds

Lloyds Leisure facility – Teacher in Role Scheme exploring dilemmas and group decision-making


Terms 5 & 6
Scripted unit – an introduction through an exploration of language and how we interpret lines in a script

Superheroes – an exploration of the thought tracking, what makes ‘a real superhero’, improvisation and group work


Year 8


Terms 1 & 2
Blood Brothers- Exploration of Blood Brothers script focusing on levels, status and use of stage

Monster in the Village – Teacher in Role Scheme exploring social change, dilemmas and character development


Terms 3 & 4
Status, Pause & Tension – Use of voice in performance. Exploring how we can add pause to demonstrate tension and atmosphere.

Realism through Practitioner work – ‘Stanislavski’ – Understanding naturalism and the techniques of Stanislavski in performance work


Terms 5 & 6
Blue Remembered Hills – Scripted unit exploring character, status and use of stage

The Red Shoes – Creating monologues through the exploration of the topic prejudice. Devising with a stimulus.



Year 9


Terms 1 & 2
Mugged – detailed study of approaches to script through Stanislavski- exploration of themes: gang culture and knife crime

Isolation – focussing on scripted performance of Gum and Goo by Howard Brenton


Terms 3 & 4
Verbatim – Understanding verbatim and using it to create performances responding to real life events and personal stimulus.

Frantic Assembly: ‘Curious incident of the dog in the night time’. Exploration of practitioner techniques and script work.


Terms 5 & 6
A cross-curricular performance project including Music, Art and Drama, which mirrors the format of the GCSE specifications.
Students can specialise in performance, choreography, direction, technical support – lighting, sound, costume, make up or stage design. This is assessed as their final contribution to KS3 Performing Arts.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

Course Code: WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) in DRAMA 601/8420/6
Exam Board Specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/

The Eduqas course is a vibrant and accessible GCSE that caters for the widest range of abilities. Students begin in Year 10 by exploring a range of scripts, techniques, practitioners and dramatic forms alongside a visit to the theatre to explore their responses to live performance before beginning the assessment elements. The Eduqas specification gives equal importance to technical aspects of drama and performance. Component One is Devising (40%) in which students respond to a stimulus given by the examination board and create a piece of theatre for performance using a recognised practitioner. This is accompanied by a portfolio of work and evaluation that traces the journey from research to final performance. Component 2, Performing from a Text (20%), beginning in Year 11, asks students to perform a scripted piece to an external examiner in a style that plays to their strengths. Students can decide to opt for the technical support element instead of performance. Component Three Interpreting Theatre (40%) is the one hour 30 minutes written examination in which students respond to a set text, Mark Wheeler’s ‘Hard to Swallow’, and write a response to a Live Production seen during the course.

Year 10


Terms 1 & 2
Exploration of practitioners and theatrical forms and styles
First reading of set text – ‘War Horse’ through practical exploration
Visit to Live Theatre Performance and written response as examination preparation
Introduction to Component One – Devising

Terms 3 & 4
Exploration of devising techniques and group rehearsals
Script writing
Writing of portfolio – Section 1 & 2
Exam Techniques ‘War Horse’ and Live theatre review.

Terms 5 & 6
Performance of devised work and Writing of Portfolio (1-3)
Second reading of set text. Practice exam questions.
Script selection for Component Two

Year 11


Terms 1 & 2
Component Two Rehearsals
Second Visit to Live Performance and written response
Examination Technique for ‘War Horse’

Terms 3 & 4
Component Two rehearsals
Component Two examination to external practitioner
Examination Preparation. Practice Questions and Live Theatre Performance notes

Terms 5 & 6
Component Three practice and final examination


Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

Course Code: A Level Drama and Theatre Studies Edexcel 9DR01
Exam Board Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-2016.html

Recommended Entry Requirements

  • Grade 5 GCSE English
  • Grade 5 GCSE Drama desirable but not compulsory. Requires discussion with the Performing Arts Department.
  • Gifted, open minded performers with a passion for drama theory and practice.

Why Drama & Theatre Studies?
A level Drama is a varied, stimulating and richly engaging course where you will take shared ownership of the theory and practical work that you produce and be committed to do your very best. You will have a thirst for exploration and development in both performance and technical work.

The Devising component is incredibly creative, enabling you to explore your interests, concerns and the way you see the world. Text Performance is studied either as a performer or designer and you will burrow down into your understanding of character, relationships, themes and style. You will be assessed on your practical understanding of a live theatre performance and two interesting texts that are studied practically throughout the course; Machinal by S. Tredwell and Woyzeck by G. Buhner.

Assessment

40% – Practical and Written Portfolio – Devising
20% – Practical – Text in Performance
40% – Written – Theatre Makers in Practice

Recommended Reading

Machinal by S Tredwell
Woyzeck by G Buchner
Brecht for Beginners
Brecht on Performance
The Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre
1984 by Headlong Theatre Company
Edexcel AS/A level Drama Study Guide by Rhinegold Education
Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre Student Book and Active Book, by J Davey et al


Resources & Links:

GCSE: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/
A Level: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-2016.html
For past papers and mark schemes.


Enrichment:

The Drama Department is totally committed to the importance of enrichment as the life blood of the school. We work closely across the faculty with the Dance and Music Departments on collaborative projects within the curriculum and outside it. We aim to give a breadth of experiences through theatre visits and visiting practitioners.

Our renowned school production usually takes place in Terms 3 & 6. This is a fantastic opportunity for students of all key stages to work collaboratively, to take ownership of a large-scale musical and create memories that they will cherish for years to come. We also regularly participate in the Shakespeare Festival, The National Theatre Connections project where we have the opportunity to perform in professional venues ranging from The Egg Theatre in Bath and The Bristol Old Vic.

Drama is a valuable part of the outreach to the community.  We are really proud of our well-established collaboration with Three Ways School, led by our Year 9 students and culminating in a sharing of work to parents, carers and friends. We look forward to this returning once restrictions have lifted.

Drama News