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Drama
BackIntroduction
The Drama department focus on a multitude of skills. Not only do we want students to develop as performers but as young individuals. They are given the opportunities to improve on social skills, communication, team-work, time management and focus/concentration. Drama will help students develop confidence that will be of great benefit in not only other subject areas but also within the outside community. We want our students to commit and give 100% each lesson.
Skills gained in Drama can help students later in life. The confidence they gain as performers and Drama students can help them when taking part in presentations and interviews.
Drama is a subject with a very practical approach but does include half termly written based lessons in KS3 to meet the demands of the new specification.
Students are reminded of their targets and how to give their best in each lesson to help them succeed. There are also after school support sessions and rehearsals for GCSE Drama to help them achieve the best grade they can.
The confidence to communicate and work creatively within a team of peers by:
- Regularly working in small groups in lessons
- Creating short pieces of performance work with the groups they are put in
- Being encouraged to take on roles from a range of different performance pieces
A creative approach when developing interesting theatre performances by:
- Taking part in a wide range of drama workshops in lessons
- Exploring a variety of theatre skills, techniques, style and practitioners
- Being encouraged to use imaginative theatre techniques when rehearsing performance work
The confidence to stand up and perform short pieces in front of an audience by:
- Regularly performing work back to the class during lessons
- For older students – performing work to larger audiences including friends and family
A critical nature that is able to evaluate strengths and weaknesses by:
- Evaluating own and others performance work
- By taking part in written activities that develop critical and analytical writing skills
- Listening to regular feedback from teachers or peers that will help them improve their work
KS3
In KS3 students in Years 8 and 9 have Drama once a week.
In Year 7 students are on a carousel with Music, dance and have Drama for half of the year.
The schemes of work change each half term to ensure students are study a wide variety of techniques and gain the knowledge required.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Autumn 1 |
INTRO TO DRAMA |
PHYSICAL THEATRE |
CRAIG AND BENTLEY |
|
Autumn 2 |
PANTOMIME |
MASKS |
BLOOD BROTHERS |
|
Spring 1 |
DARKWOOD MANOR |
HAMLET |
GREEK THREATRE |
|
Spring 2 |
INTRO TO DRAMA |
THEATRE STYLES, BRECHT, MELODRAMA & TIE |
DEVISING: JOYCE CARROL VINCENT |
|
Summer 1 |
PANTOMIME |
ITALIAN COMEDY |
COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE |
|
Summer 2 |
DARKWOOD MANOR |
DEVISING: INJUSTICE |
FRANKENSTEIN |
KS4
EXAM BOARD – OCR GCSE DRAMA
You can find the specification here:
https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/drama-j316-from-2016/
The course is split into 3 Components:
|
Component 1: Devising Drama (Practical) |
Component 2: Presenting and Performing Texts (Practical) |
Component 3: Performance and Response (Written Exam) |
|---|---|---|
|
What's assessed
How it's assessed
30% of GCSE
|
What's assessed
How it's assessed
30% of GCSE
|
What's assessed
How it's assessed
40% of GCSE Questions
Section A: one question on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (30 marks) |
Why GCSE Drama?
In recent exam board changes GCSE Drama has improved in many ways, including the introduction of a theory written exam paper which challenges students positively to understand context and dramatic theory.
In a world full of choices, there are many positives as to why the skills and theories learnt in Drama would be beneficial in both employment and further education. Drama develops an aptitude for compromise, team work, commitment, creativity and presentation skills which are necessary in almost every area of work. Many universities and employers look for the study of Drama GCSE on a potential student’s application or employee’s CV as they know that they are accepting or hiring a well-rounded person with the important thinking skills necessary to succeed in further education and business.
GCSE Results 2023
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 38% grades 9-4
GCSE Results 2022
Congratulations to the Year 11 students on achieving 76% grades 9-4.
Extra Curricular
During the school year there are plenty of opportunities for students to showcase their work.
School Musical! Previous years have included High School Musical, Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland!
KS3 Drama Club
Showcase evenings for KS4 GCSE work
Future Careers
Students who study Drama at GCSE go onto a wide range of careers which don’t necessarily include in the Theatre
- Actor
- Arts administrator
- Barrister
- Broadcast journalist
- Choreographer
- Cinematographer
- Copywriter
- Costume designer
- Dancer
- Disc jockey (DJ)
- Musician
- Newspaper journalist
- Primary school teacher
- Proofreader
- Secondary school teacher
- Set designer
- Stage manager
- Television presenter
- Television/film producer
- Theatrical producer
- Writer
- Youth and community worker
Useful Links
KS3
If you are interested in taking your love of Drama outside of school!
KS4
The Gojimo App for Smartphones
Revision guides/Set text:
GCSE AQA Drama Revision Guide
GCSE Set Text Blood Brothers
