Intent
Drama is a practical subject designed to give pupils the opportunity to work amongst each other and express themselves in a safe environment. Through drama pupils explore the world in which we live and gain indispensable skills needed for lifelong learning. Drama helps develop personal qualities such as group work, the ability to communicate and co-operate effectively with others. Building self-confidence is at the core of the subject expanding their social awareness, empathy, values and attitudes. Pupils discover the world of theatre and gain the skills needed to be an accomplished, confident performer. They will understand and participate in the creative process required to produce successful performance work and will show appreciation of the art form through personal reflection and evaluation.
Implementation
The key stage three course is designed to provide pupils a range of experiences in order for them to learn new skills and develop their knowledge and understanding of drama.
Pupils will broaden their creativity and imagination whilst enhancing their own personal qualities. There are a variety of performance skills pupils will be introduced to and trained to improve upon throughout the course. They learn to use a range of dramatic techniques to make performance work interesting and effective as well as gaining a knowledge of text and playwrights intentions.
Pupils will explore different styles and genres of theatre and will be able to put this knowledge into practice through their performance work.
Topics covered in Year 7
Term 1: Drama Strategies and Practitioners
Term 2: Devising theatre- (Introduction to Component 1 at GCSE)
Term 3: Physical theatre and Monologues- (Introduction to Component 2 at GCSE)
Topics covered in Year 8
Term 1: Developing knowledge of key practitioners: Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud and Berkoff
Term 2: Development of Component 1 at GCSE
Term 3: Duologues and Group scripted performances
Year 9, 10 & 11:
Component 1 (Year 9 mock and Year 10 final exam) - Internally assessed and externally moderated.
The students will use drama strategies, elements and medium to create an original devised performance based on a given stimulus. This is accompanied by a written portfolio that documents the process.
Component 2: (Year 9 and 10 mock and Year 11 final exam) - Externally examined.
The students will perform 2 extracts from one published play text. This is a performance in front of an audience and can be a combination of monologues, duologues and group performances.
Component 3: (Year 9 and 10 mock and Year 11 final exam) - Students will undertake two written papers in exam conditions following Pearson’s exam board.
The written paper comprises of:
1: The study of a set play and exam questions based on directorial choices.
2: Study of a live theatre production seen and exam questions based on production values.
Impact
GCSE Drama focuses on improving not only performance skills and gaining a better knowledge of varying dramatic genres but also helping students to improve their social skills. Students will have the opportunity to create their own works as well as studying plays written by a variety of playwrights. Drama is an exciting, creative and enlightening course where students perform to varied audiences and develop skills which will aid them in many future careers.
The Drama course is designed to help students develop:
- Creative and imaginative powers and the practical skills for communicating and expressing ideas, feeling and meanings in drama.
- Investigative, analytical, experimental and interpretive capabilities, aesthetic understanding and critical skills.
- Understanding of drama forms and awareness of contexts in which they operate.
- Knowledge and understanding of drama within a social, cultural and historical context.
What kind of skills will the course develop?
- Acting and performance/design skills
- Group work and inter-personal skills
- Self-confidence and expression
- Communication skills and problem solving
- Creative, analytical and evaluative skills
Extra-Curricular Opportunities:
Autumn Term: Shakespeare Schools Festival, the Christmas Show and the Churchmead Christmas Service.
Spring Term: The Spring Show and Choir. (Churchmead participates in the Royal Albert Hall performance in March)
Summer Term: The Summer Show and Choir.