What is our vision in Drama ?
Our curriculum ensures that students learn how to create a range of characters and narrative through improvisation and script using a variety of Drama techniques and skills. Students learn about key theatrical practitioners, styles and dramatic genres and are able to experiment with these in their own work. We employ a range of Drama strategies to deepen their knowledge, understanding and engagement, with character, relationships and themes. Students are given the opportunity to enhance the quality of their performances through the use of other Drama mediums such as costume, set, puppetry, lighting and sound. Students are assessed for their creating, performing and evaluation skills with opportunities to be assessed in performance or design.
Drama improves self-confidence, self-esteem and interpersonal skills; giving opportunity for individual growth and development to increase the ability to think and respond creatively. Drama empowers students to develop literacy and oracy skills as well as their ability to analyse and evaluate in both written and practical work. Drama provides a safe environment to explore and understand social and moral issues that nurture empathetic skills, viewing events from multiple perspectives; the arts make us feel connected to one another and less isolated.
Through experience of theatre, students are able to connect and relate to different aspects of our culture and society and we pride ourselves on providing a broad range of topics to engage our students and encourage them to become active participants. Drama builds resilience in the face of challenge; it changes the lives of our students in the present and prepares them for their future.
Drama at KS3
Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 study Drama for one hour each week. They follow a directed learning journey which has been designed for students to experience a range of topics that have direct links to the GCSE course.
In KS3, students are introduced to both the practical and theory sides of Drama, allowing them from the beginning of their Drama careers to understand each element required at GCSE level. In Year 7, students are introduced to Drama as a subject through learning the fundamental skills they need for any topic they study. Using key leadership and communication skills, students look at how to convey a character and storyline to an audience using their physical and vocal skills. As the year progresses, students study a range of topics such as; the History of Theatre, the hit Musical ‘Into The Woods’ and the atmospheric scheme of work called Morley Manor.
In Year 8, students use the key skills they developed in Year 7 and apply them to topics that focus on different theatrical elements such as script work, exaggerated performance, comedy and verbatim theatre. Year 8 students are challenged to look deeper into performances, justify their choices for their own performances and analyse performances they have watched. There is also an introduction to Design elements in Year 8 as students look into the other areas of Drama that are not fully focused on performing.
In Year 9, students are offered different GCSE taster topics to spark their interest for KS4. Students look at a variety of performances, both traditional forms of theatre and non-traditional, from a wide range of theatre practitioners such as Brecht, Stanislavski and Frantic Assembly. They are challenged to respond to the theatre they are studying and develop opinions that connect to the wider world.
Curriculum learning grid in Y7
Support for students
Students are supported directly by their teachers and by their peers within Drama. They are encouraged to be independent learners in all tasks but are guided to ensure they reach their full potential and can exceed this. The majority of feedback is verbal and students are supported, stretched and challenged each lesson through this. They are given written feedback during assessment performances but also have to self assess during this time as well.
Drama at KS4
Drama is a creative, exciting and challenging course. Throughout GCSE Drama you will be expected to create interesting and diverse characters or designs within a number of performances. GCSE Drama requires you to interpret texts and stimuli to create meaning on stage and on paper. Theatre is an expressive art which reflects and directs the world we live in today. You will learn the demands of a range of performance styles. You will be evaluated as an actor or designer, audience member and director. You will learn how to analyse, discuss and evaluate your point of view in both spoken and written form. Candidates who have completed the course demonstrate a social intelligence and ability to adapt ideas and work with others. These life skills are essential within future placements and are developed everyday within the Drama classroom.
Students study the AQA GCSE Drama course which comprises:
Component 1 The Written Exam – 40%: This exam is broken into 3 sections;
Section A: Multiple Choice, Section B: Study of a Set Text and Section C: Live Theatre Review. Students sit this exam at the end of Year 11 and work towards it over the two year course. They will complete mocks in both years to show their progress and are given support in class through writing structures and revision sessions tailored for students’ needs.
Component 2 Devising – 40%: Students are given creative independence to devise their own performance based on stimuli they are given. They are required to develop their own piece and can choose to perform or design for this element which is recorded within school. Students also write a written Log Book alongside their practical work which directly links to each practical component they are focusing on.
Component 3 Texts in Performance – 20 %: This unit students can again choose to be marked on performance or design. They are required to learn two extracts from one play and will be marked by an external examiner for this. This component only has a practical element and does not require any written pieces alongside.
Extended Learning Opportunities in Drama
We offer for all students to be involved in the productions we put on at Oathall and heavily encourage GCSE students to take part either on stage or backstage to ensure they are getting a wide range of Drama based opportunities in school. Students can also do their work experience in the Drama department during their enrichment days as well. Alongside the production, we wish to have a Drama Club that also runs for smaller projects and performances as well as a Sound and Lighting Club.
Further Education & Career Pathways in Drama
Useful revision websites
How can parents and carers support learning?
Parents and carers can support students’ learning by asking what students are learning and encouraging them to get fully involved in all practical tasks they do in lessons. They can also help by looking at the homework tasks with students and communicating any queries or worries they may have with the students’ teacher.
At KS4, parents and carers can support students’ learning by ensuring they know when their deadlines are and encouraging students to work hard during their independent learning. Students are required to be self-motivated in their work, especially with Component 2 and encouragement from others will help students stay on track. Parents and carers can also check in with teachers at any point if questions or concerns occur.
