Drama

In the Drama Department we believe that performance and theatre studies support and encourages personal expression and the exploration of a wide range of cultures, experiences, perspectives, and the world in which we live. It is an important tool for preparing students to live and work in a world that is increasingly team oriented rather than hierarchical.  As such, our curriculum has at its heart keeps the focus on the teaching of scripts, themes and issue-based dramas to help our students develop tolerance and empathy. We encourage learners to make sense of the world and their own identity by exploring drama through meaningful fictional situations that have parallels in the real world. 

Our students explore performance and acting styles through our structured schemes of work; they will experience fun drama activities encouraging confidence and public speaking, and thus enriching their life skills. 

Beyond the classroom we encourage students to participate in school trips to the West End and watch Musical theatre and drama shows. Previous trips have taken place to the National Theatre, the Young Vic, and Shakespeare’s Globe, where our students gain an insight into the acting profession and enjoyment of watching live theatre. 

Enrichment is at the heart of building a creative culture in Drama and we encourage all year groups to join and take part in the after school Drama, Dance and Technical Clubs. We work closely with colleagues in the Music Department to produce the school production and dance shows. Our aim is to encourage the exploration of creativity. 

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Key Stage 3

• Students will learn about drama, through drama. Students will learn how to use key skills and influences from practitioner styles, they will complete the first term by producing their own pantomime style performance.
• Classes are taught in form groups
• Students have one lesson over a two-week timetable
• Homework is set twice a term and students are expected to spend roughly 30 minutes on each piece i.e. learning lines to a short script. Some homework’s are extended projects and as a result more time will be required to complete the tasks
• Students will be tested roughly once per half term, mostly performance based, with a bigger assessment at the end of year
• We run a KS3 Drama club on a Thursday lunch time, where students work towards performances throughout the year. And some decide to take part in our summer festival.

Key Stage 4

• Students have five lessons over a two-week timetable
• Homework is set once a week and students are expected to spend roughly 30 minutes on each piece
• Students are also required to rehearse their performances outside of the classroom; they should spend a minimum of one hour a week rehearsing
• Students will be tested roughly once per half term with a bigger assessment at the end of year
• We follow the AQA GCSE (9-1) syllabus and students have the option to be assessed through acting and technical skills
• We run revision sessions in the build up to exams on a Monday and Friday lunchtime; students are welcome to drop in to either of these sessions.
• Students will be given the opportunity to see lots of live theatre in the west end

Key Stage 5

• Classes are taught in mixed ability classes
• Students have 10 lessons over a two week timetable
• Homework is set every lesson and students are expected to study independently on top of this
• Students will also be expected to rehearse independently for at least 2 hours a week outside of lessons, these rehearsals will need to be organised in their own time.
• Revision sessions will also be available for students in the build up to exams. 

Key Stage 3

• KS3 Drama club which runs on a Wednesday lunch time
• Technical theatre club where students can learn skills pertaining to lighting, sound, set, props and costume skills
• Shakespeare ‘Or Not to Be’ club. Students of KS3, KS4 and KS5 work to create a Shakespeare performance normally performed in the Autumn term
• Whole school musical which is performed in the spring term
• Performing Arts Committee – two students from each year group are selected to represent the Drama Department in meetings relating to the extracurricular activities the Drama Department has to offer.

Key Stage 4

• Shakespeare and writers club ‘Or Not to Be’ club
• Whole school musical
• Tech club
• Summer festival
• Dance production

Key Stage 5

• Students have the opportunity to mentor other students lower down in the school.
• Students who participated in the mentoring scheme in years 8-10 will have the opportunity to assist in teaching and assisting the current mentoring groups.
• Students will have the opportunity to participate in trips and lectures at universities and local venues.
• Drama prefects can help run KS3 drama club and organise performances
• ‘Or Not to Be’ Shakespeare club, students will have opportunity to perform
• The whole school musical
• Performing arts committee

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Key Stage 3

• Students will be given work books where they keep key vocabulary any written tasks.
• Students also have a range of extension tasks that are available to them via the student shared area.
• KS3 Drama - BBC Teach
• Drama Online - Home (dramaonlinelibrary.com)
• BBC Radio 3 - The Shakespeare Sessions - Downloads
• BBC Shakespeare Archive (era.org.uk)
• Theatre and Drama - BBC Archive
• BBC - Radio 4 - Collections: Theatre Collection - History of Drama

Key Stage 4

• Students will need to visit the theatre
• Students can purchase the AQA student guide. Authors: Annie Fox Publisher: Illuminate ISBN-13: 978 1 911208 21 1 Price: £23.99.
• GCSE Drama Live theatre evaluation. Annie Fox, Illuminate Publishing. ISBN798-1-912820-97-9
• David Hare: A BBC Radio Drama Collection : BBC Radio 4 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
• The Crucible play text (given at start of year)
• The British Library - The British Library (bl.uk)
• Archive | National Theatre

Key Stage 5

Students will need the following scripts

• The version of the text we are using is: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo (adapted by Gavin Richards)Methuen Drama ISBN 9780413156105
• Woyzeck by George Buchner ( provided by the school)

There is an A-level text available that the students can purchase if they wish to, however it is not compulsory. Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre Student Book and ActiveBook Publisher: Pearson

Author: John Davey,Phil Cleaves,John Johnson ISBN: 9781292150628 Edexcel AS and A level Student Book includes a FREE copy of the ActiveBook.

• National Theatre Collection | National Theatre
• Accessing the National Theatre Archive - YouTube
• National Theatre Collection | New plays added | Streaming to students worldwide - YouTube
• RashDash: Devising Masterclass - YouTube

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5

Key Stage 3

• Pencil
• Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
• Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Exercise book, folder (provided by department)

Key Stage 4

• Pencil
• Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
• Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Class work book (provided by the department)
• A4- Folder

Key Stage 5

• Drama designated folder
• Pencil
• Writing Pen (Blue/Black)
• Assessment Pens (Red/Purple)
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Folder and dividers for organising work
• Lined paper and notebooks

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 5