Drama

Our vision in drama is to excite, enthuse and educate students t o perform, write and respond to many different concepts and techniques that come under the umbrella of Drama.

The co-operation, creativity, independence and practical learning encourage and support confidence and development of one’s character. Through both the curriculum and our extra-curricular opportunities we encourage students to pursue a ‘can do’ attitude within this practical context. We are proud to follow our school’s ethos of ‘nurturing mind, body and spirit’ and are pleased to see students smiling and developing in our drama lessons every day.

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“I like drama because I like being creative and acting as different characters and understanding how playwrights have used issues or general trends in society to influence them to write their plays. I have developed more communication skills in drama because I now work better in a group. Also, drama has helped me to become even more confident as a person and more creative.”
Year 9 Student

 

“I chose to take GCSE drama as I like to learn in a more physical way, rather than sitting at a desk. Additionally I wanted to improve my confidence and public speaking skills. GCSE drama taught me lots and I liked it so much that I decided to also take it at A-level. Through this I have had the opportunities to be a part of great workshops and fun productions within both a class environment and with the rest of the school. Drama is a great way to learn and develop new skills in a fun and friendly environment, as well as improving confidence and preparing you for life outside school (and it always looks good to put on your CV!)”
Year 13 Student

During Years 7-9 the following topics are taught:

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

The Mystery Girl

Roald Dahl

The Tempest

Wacky Soap

Scripted: Granny and the Wolf

Lamb to the Slaughter

Comedy

Scripted: Blood Brothers

Physical Theatre: Alice in Wonderland

Adrian Mole

‘I Don’t Like Mondays’: Brenda Spencer

‘Let Him Have it’: Derek Bentley

Scripted: DNA

Devising from a Stimulus and script

Responding to Live Theatre

Students studying the subject at GCSE follow the Eduqas specification. During the course, the following topics are covered:

Year 10

Year 11

Introduction to Drama Skills

  • Scripted performance

  • Devising from a stimulus,

  • Monologues,

  • Exploration of techniques,

  • Exploration of practitioners,

  • Exploration of Live theatre appreciation

 

GCSE Component 1: Devising Theatre (40%)

Learners are required to devise a piece of original theatre in response to a stimulus (given by the examination board) using the techniques of a drama practitioner or genre.

Students will produce:

  • A devised performance piece in a group

  • A portfolio of supporting evidence

  • An evaluation of the final performance

Component 3: Interpreting Theatre (Written) 1 hour 30 minutes  (40%)

Preparation for the written examination will take place in the first term of year 11.

Section A:

Set text Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz

Students will prepare for a series of questions based on the text. They will be focusing on proxemics, character, relationships, acting, directing and design ideas for the piece.

Section B: Live Theatre Review

Students will be expected to see a piece of live theatre in preparation for this part of the written examination. They will answer one question (from the choice of two) and the response will require analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of live theatre

Component 2: Performing from a Text (assessed by an external examiner- 20%)

Students will perform 2 extracts from a published play. The 2 extracts will make up one performance piece (in a small group) and this will be performed to an audience.

For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website:  http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/

Students studying Drama and Theatre at A Level follow the Edexcel specification.  During the course the following topics are covered.

Year 12

Year 13

Introduction to A Level Drama and Theatre Skills

  • Scripted performance skills including some textual analysis of plays – performing and directing,

  • Devising from a selection of different stimuli,

  • Monologue/Duologue (mocks),

  • Exploration of drama techniques in rehearsal,

  • Exploration of various practitioners,

  • Exploration of Live theatre appreciation (mock)

Component 1: Devising (40% of qualification)

Students will create an original performance piece using one key extract from a play and a theatre practitioner as a stimulus.

There are 2 parts to the assessment:

  1. A portfolio of evidence

  2. A devised performance in a group

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

 Written Examination: 2 hours 30 minutes (40% of qualification)

There will be 2 set texts studied (from a list set by the exam board) and a Live Theatre performance will need to be seen to complete an evaluation.

Section A: Live theatre evaluation

Section B: Realising a Performance Text (1 of the set plays) Answers as a performer or designer.

Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text (the 2nd set play) A re-imagined performance concept with the influence of a practitioner

Component 2: Text in Performance (20% of qualification)

This will be an externally assessed performance seen by a visiting examiner. This is split into 2 sections:

  1. A group performance based on a key extract from a published play

  2. A monologue or duologue performance from a different published play.

For more detailed information about the course content and assessment requirements, please refer to the examination board website.

KS4:

BBC Bitesize

Eduqas Specification

KS5:

Edexcel sample materials

Edexcel specification: