WHY OUR DEPARTMENT BELIEVES DRAMA IS IMPORTANT

Drama encourages pupils to understand themselves and the world in which they live. Elements of Drama supports the PSE programme within the school very well. However, Drama is also a key subject in its own right. Therefore, alongside the exploration of PSE issues and themes, Drama is taught explicitly in terms of contemporary and classical plays, famous playwrights, drama theorists, dramatists, theatrical techniques and performance skills. The department is also takes responsibility for helping to develop key aspects of the oracy strand of the Literacy Framework.

OUR DEPARTMENT AIMS

The aims of the Drama Department are to encourage and develop in pupils:

  • Confidence and self–expression
  • Creativity
  • Sensitivity
  • Oracy Skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of drama techniques, skills and forms

DRAMA AT KEY STAGE 3

Throughout KS3, drama lessons take a thematic approach to explore issues whilst learning dramatic techniques and improve performance skills. Throughout topics, pupils have the opportunity to learn basic performance skills such as the “no backs” rule and voice projection.  Pupils also use a variety of drama techniques, such as freeze frames, thought tracking, captions and choral chanting. As pupils progress and develop they have the opportunity to experiment with theatrical style and are encouraged to create drama of an abstract nature and to experiment with structure.  Pupils then learn a variety of new drama techniques such as narration and action, essence machines, monologues and staging. This eventually culminates in pupils having the opportunity to participate in both improvised and scripted performances.  In doing this, pupils widen their theatrical knowledge by utilising a variety of techniques including stylised movement, crescendo/diminuendo, Stanislavski’s physical and mental objectives and stage combat.

DRAMA AT KEY STAGE 4

At present we offer WJEC GCSE Drama. The aims of the course are to:  

  • apply knowledge and understanding when making, performing and responding to drama  
  • explore performance texts, understanding their social, cultural and historical context including the theatrical conventions of the period in which they were created  
  • develop a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performances  
  • work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas  
  • develop as creative, effective, independent and reflective learners able to make informed choices in process and performance  
  • contribute as an individual to a theatrical performance  
  • reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others  
  • develop an awareness and understanding of the roles and processes undertaken in contemporary professional theatre practice  
  • adopt safe working practices. 

The course is split up into 3 practical and theoretical units:

  • Unit 1: Devising Theatre 40% – Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre based on either the work of a theatre practitioner or a genre in response to a stimulus set by WJEC.  Learners complete a written evaluation of the devised performance under formal supervision.
  • Unit 2: Performing Theatre 20% – Learners participate in a performance based on two 10 minute extracts from a performance text of their own choice.
  • Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre 40%.
  • Written examination. 1 hour 30 minutes.
    • Section A: Set Text. Pupils wills answer a series of questions on one set text explored as an actor, designer and director. 
    • Section B: Live Theatre Review One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of one live theatre production seen during the course.

DRAMA AT KEY STAGE 5

Students at KS5 study BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts. 

This 2 year course aims to “provide a broad educational base for further training, further education and employment within the performing arts sector. The qualifications will develop learners’ abilities through the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme”.

Throughout the course students are required to complete 6 Units – 2 core Units and 4 optional Units. Units are selected from the comprehensive list found within the course specification and are chosen year on year to cater to learners’ talents and areas of expertise.