Drama

Head of Department: Mrs C Cobb

“Like theatre, drama in schools can unlock the use of imagination, intellect, empathy and courage. Through it, ideas, responses and feelings can be expressed and communicated. It carries the potential to challenge, to question and to bring about change.”
Jude Kelly (theatre director and founder of Metal)

Department Introduction

The aim of the subject is to increase students’ ability to express themselves, be creative, and ultimately become more confident as public speakers and performers. Students learn how to work co-operatively and expressively in a range of ways enabling them to develop life-long skills in leadership, presenting and teamwork.

We have excellent facilities for learning, which consist of a Drama Studio space for intimate performance work, and the Bay Theatre with a full lighting rig and sound system for rehearsals and public performances. The department comprises of two full-time subject specialists.

Drama is an exciting, practical subject which is taught throughout the school from year 7 to Year 13. All students in Year 7/8 have 1 Drama lesson per week.  Students can then opt for the subject in Year 9 as a foundation year to support GCSE study in Year 10/11, and subsequent study at Sixth Form as a BTEC in Performing Arts.

Courses

KS3 lessons are focused on giving students the foundation skills for theatre performance, as well as giving them a breath of theatrical experiences through a variety of genres, practitioners and texts.

Year 7 Units:

  • Mime and Silent Movie
  • Pantomime
  • Greek Chorus
  • Improvisation
  • Physical Theatre

Year 8 Units:

  • Script exploration (Shakespeare)
  • Devising theatrical performances
  • Blood Brothers

Year 9:

  • 2 lessons per week throughout the year
  • Units of work include: Narrative techniques, Devising, Text exploration, Live Theatre review


GCSE Drama (WJEC board) consists of three components:

  • Component 1 is Devising Theatre in groups
    - Assessed through practical rehearsal, performance, written evaluation and audio/visual presentation.
  • Component 2 is Text in Performance – a group performance of two extracts from a scripted play.
    - Assessed through a practical performance attended by external examiner
  • Component 3 is a written exam based on a studied set play and a live performance seen on the course.

Click here for exam board information on GCSE Drama

Years 12/13

  • Two BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma courses in Acting are offered at KS5 (60 credit and full Diploma)
  • These are two year courses run by Edexcel
  • Students have at least 7 lessons per week

Units include: Principles of Acting, Devising for Theatre, Theatre in Education, Devising Physical Theatre, Performing for an Audience and movement.

Enrichment

All our drama students are encouraged to develop their skills by taking up an extra-curricular activity. These include:

  • Drama Showcases
  • Drama Companies after school such as '1918 Girls Theatre Company' perform at various professional events throughout the year.
  • GCSE/BTEC support groups
  • Technical Theatre Club

Our students also take part in the following events:

  • Theatre visits
  • Professional Workshops
  • Visiting Theatre Companies
  • Visits to Universities to work with students and practitioners
  • Assembly performances
  • Seasonal Productions
  • Open evening
  • Creative Arts Events