Drama Department

Drama

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General Aims

The Drama Department aims to provide pupils with opportunities for experiential learning.  Through a balanced approach, pupils should acquire both a practical and theoretical understanding of the subject which is appropriate to their level of study.  A key aim of the department is to equip pupils with skills and abilities that are transferable to alternative contexts.

Specific Aims

The Drama department aims to:

  • To promote the personal and social development of pupils
  • To develop pupils' communicative and expressive abilities, both verbally and non-verbally
  • To stimulate pupils' creative and emotional intelligences
  • To provide opportunities for pupils to engage with and respond to a range of dramatic literature and stimuli 
  • To provide opportunities for pupils to explore  relevant issues from various perspectives
  • To develop pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding specific to the subject area
  • To develop pupils' appreciation of live theatre and promote their critical thinking
  • To develop pupils as independent and reflective learners

Curriculum

KS3


Year 8
In Year Eight, pupils are introduced to the basic skills necessary for successful progression in Drama.  Pupils begin to acquire a subject-specific vocabulary and develop their interpersonal skills.  Pupils' skills in visual literacy are developed through their study of still images.  In Year Eight, pupils engage in a thematic unit entitled 'Myself' which aims to develop pupils' awareness of themselves and those around them.

Year 9
In Year Nine, pupils' understanding of Drama is further extended.  Pupils are introduced to aspects of Drama such as staging.  Their awareness of the history and evolution of theatre is developed through a comparative study of Shakespeare's Theatre and the theatre of today.  Through practical lessons, pupils have opportunities to experiment with physical theatre.

KS4

At Key Stage Four, Drama is a popular subject choice.  Pupils follow the CCEA Specification for Drama which provides them with opportunities to develop both a practical and theoretical understanding of Drama.  Practical assessments constitute 60% of the final GCSE grade.  A further 40% of the final GCSE grade is awarded on the merit of an external written examination which pupils complete at the end of the course.  Practical assessments in Drama focus on areas such as:

  • Improvisation
  • Devised Drama
  • Practical Exploration of the Set Text
  • Scripted Performance

The written examination assesses pupils' understanding of the set text studied as part of the course in terms of design, performance and rehearsal approaches.  Pupils begin their study of Arthur Miller's The Crucible in Year Eleven. 

A-level

The Drama Department offers a course of study in Drama and Theatre Studies at AS and A2 Level.  Pupils follow the Edexcel specification for Drama and Theatre Studies.  This course enables students to refine their practical and theoretical understanding of Drama and Theatre Studies.  At both AS and A2 level, pupils must successfully complete three modules.

AS


Unit One - Exploration of Drama and Theatre
Pupils engage in a detailed study of two play texts.  Pupils participate in a variety of practical activities exploring both plays in areas such as the application of physical action and vocalisation of the text.  Pupils also complete a portfolio of Exploration Notes on each text focusing on areas such as the visual, aural and spatial elements of each play and the social, cultural and historical context of the plays.

Unit Two - Text In Performance One
Pupils participate in the rehearsal and performance of a scripted play.  The performance is assessed in a live examination in the presence of an external examiner. 

Unit Three - Text in Context One
Pupils complete a two hour written examination.  Section A requires pupils to focus on their experiences throughout Unit Two.  Section B requires pupils to evaluate one live theatrical production which they have seen during their AS study.

A2

Unit Four - Devised Drama
Based on stimulus material, pupils demonstrate their creativity and skill in Drama through the development and performance of   an original piece of theatre.  Pupils must work independently throughout the devising process taking responsibility for scripting, rehearsing, directing and designing.

Unit Five - Text in Performance Two
Following their study of a chosen play, pupils work collaboratively to create an original adaptation / workshop version of the play.  The performance is assessed in a live examination in the presence of an external examiner.

Unit Six - Text In Context Two
Pupils complete a two and a half hour written exam.  In Section A, pupils are assessed on their study of the Greek tragedy The Trojan Women by Euripides.  In Section B, pupils' understanding of the production history of a play written between 1575 and 1720 is assessed.

Resources

The Drama Department has two spaces which facilitate the delivery of the subject from Key Stage Three to A2 Level.  Both spaces are fully equipped with staging, lighting and sound resources.  Each space is multi-functional and can be used as rehearsal, performance and teaching space.  The Drama Department also has an interactive whiteboard which is used as part of the teaching and learning in the subject area.