What you will learn in KS3:
Drama
Schemes of Work: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9
Lessons in Drama are structured around half termly schemes of work. Each scheme of work will have a central theme and this may be focused around particular drama skills or investigation of a story, play, or historical event. Examples of work in Key Stage three are: Year 7 begins with an introduction to Drama exploring basic drama techniques, which addresses issues such as bullying. In year 8, we develop the pupils skills further by looking at movement/physical theatre, script work and devising their own plays. In Year 9 we introduces more technical terms where pupils are being challenged mentally and physically by issues that effect them. We also work alongside English by looking at Shakespeare. Lessons are tightly structured, with a range of tasks and activities to complete within set time limits.
Lessons are taught in spaces without the hindrance of desks as this allows for a range of practical work to take place. Pupils work in groups of different sizes often ranging from 2 to 6, depending on the nature of the task. They are encouraged to share ideas with others, adopt a leadership role at times and, listen respectively to the opinions of others. As a result Dance helps the pupils to develop their social skills.
Frequently, the lessons result in work being shared in performance or a presentation. Although performing is not always compulsory to achieve the learning objectives. The pupils evaluate what they have seen and offer their thoughts, praise and constructive criticism. This allows the class to learn together and benefits from peer and teacher assessment. The lesson always ends with a plenary session in which the learning objective of the lesson is reviewed and the level of understanding checked, and when relevant allows for assessment.
Homework is set when appropriate and involves a range of written and drawing tasks, learning lines, building a specific vocabulary of Drama words, researching a topic and evaluating work done or seen in the lesson.
Assessment of pupils" progress is done at the end of every term and is structured around the three strands of "Creating", "Performing", and "Responding". The pupil’s level is to be an overall level out of the 3 Drama Skills.
What you will learn in KS4:
Music
Examination Level: GCSE
Examination Group: AQA
GCSE Music:
- Is based on five areas of study:
- Timbre and dynamics
- Rhythm and metre
- Texture and melody
- Harmony and tonality
- Structure and form
- World Music (which covers Indian, African and Caribbean music)
- Western Classical Tradition (which covers Baroque orchestral music, chamber music, the sonata, the concerto, music for voices and film music)
- Popular Music (which covers the Blues, music of the 1960s, R 'n' B and music theatre)
1. Performing music (40%)
Perform one individual piece that lasts no more than five minutes. Perform one group piece that lasts no more than five minutes.
2. Composing music (20%)
Compose a piece of music in any style or genre of your choosing. You will need to submit a recording of the composition on CD and a musical score, which is appropriate to the genre of your piece. This could include staff notation, graphic notation, tab, a written account detailing the structure and content of the music or any combination of these. There is no time limit on your composition but it must demonstrate a 'sufficient development of ideas'.
3. Composing and appraising (externally assessed) (20%) - equally divided between the composition and the appraisal.
For the composition, you will be required to compose one piece of music and must choose two or more of the areas of study. This includes a score and recording as for the previous composition. In addition, you will be required to appraise the process and the outcome of the composition in relation to the Areas of Study and indicate the link to the chosen strand. You will appraise your composition in a controlled two-hour exam.
Examination
Listening and Appraising (20%)
One-hour exam which tests listening skills based on the Areas of Study.
Instrumental Lessons
Listening and Appraising (20%)
You do not…
- have to be good at reading music but it helps to have a basic knowledge of reading pitches and rhythms
- have to have reached a certain grade on your instrument/voice to take music but the students who reach the highest grades at GCSE tend to be a grade 3 or above standard
- have to have instrumental or singing lessons to take music but the course is much easier if you do.
You will...
- be encouraged to participate in the musical life of the school
- be given priority in receiving vocal or instrumental lessons, depending on space.
Peripatetic Music Lessons
Large numbers of students receive instrumental and vocal lessons and many more participate in the clubs and activities that take place throughout the year.
The Music Department currently offers instrumental lessons on the following instruments:
- Violin
- Piano
- Drums
- Guitar (acoustic / electric / bass)
- Brass
- Steel Pans
- Woodwind (flute / clarinet)
- Voice
- Cello
Students currently receive approximately twelve 25 minute paired lessons per term (one a week). The length of lessons may vary subject to the number of student requests. Students can hire instruments from the Rebridge Music Service. If interested in learning an instrument, talk to Mr. Rieger for a form.
FACILITIES
The music department has an equipped room with keyboards, three practice rooms and a fully equipped recording studio. We also have a set of Mac books / MIDI keyboards to allow students to access music technology.
Drama
At Key Stage four we follow the Edxcel syllabus (see attach documents). We teach the critic through a range of activities which help develop the pupils understanding and knowledge for the subject as well as developing their personal and social skills.
They explore a range of topics through a variety of activities for example: devising work, reading plays, group work, individual work, through discussions and performance, these activities help develop the students understanding of the topic.
The exam structure for GCSE:
Paper One: Unit 1 (30%)
Improvised coursework with supporting portfolio
Paper One: Unit Two (30%)
Practical Explorative of a Drama text; with supporting portfolio
Paper Two: Devised performance – externally examined
Drama GCSE
Schemes of Work:
Year 10 Year 11
What is Drama GCSE about?
You will explore many issues through the subject in a variety of imaginary ways. You will have the opportunity to create your own work as well as looking at plays written by others. You will be developing many skills through exploring a range of issues thought practical work, discussions and coursework.
Outline of the course
Unit 1 You will use Drama to express your feelings and ideas about a range of issues.
Unit 2 You will study a play and see how a playwright expresses their ideas about a theme or topic and explore ways of making the play work on stage.
Unit 3 An assessed performance by an external examiner. This is 40% of your overall mark.
Coursework
60% of your marks are from coursework. This consists of practical work in lessons supported by a portfolio showing your ideas and evidence of your work.
Why do Drama?
You develop plenty of skills without realising. Drama is not only about acting! When choosing Drama you need to think about the skills you are developing and how helpful they are going to be in the future.
Some of the skills are: teamwork, building confidents, communication skills, Public speaking, creativity and imagination, sharing thoughts and opinion.
What you will learn in KS5:
Drama
Schemes of Work:
Year 12 Year 13
At Key Stage 5 Drama is divided into 4 units we use both practical work and a variety of written work to explore plays and issues.
AS
Unit 1 Internally assessed.
Exploration of Drama and Theatre:
You will have to explore 2 contrasting plays. Showing understanding through exploration note and practical work to show understanding.
Unit 2 Assessed under exam conditions by a visiting examiner.
Theatre text in performance
1. Performance of a play in groups directed by teacher and performed to an invited audience.
2. Monologue or duologue for a different play
3. Live performance review
Evaluation of a live performance you have seen.
A2
Unit 3 Exploration of Dramatic Performance - Assessment will be internally assessed and externally moderated.
You will have to create an original and unique piece of theatre. You will be assessed on the research and development as well as video evidence.
Unit 4 Theatre in context - Written exam
3 sections to the paper.
1. Section A and B will be a play studied as directors form a choice of 3 set texts.
2. Section C on a period of theatre history.