Drama (and Theatre)
We believe that Drama is an integral part of a student’s education and it is in Drama that we are most able to develop our skills of communication, collaboration and creativity. We want to develop the confidence of our learners so that they can go out into the world and become positive global citizens.
In Drama, we want to open the eyes of our students to different genres and styles of theatre, explore different texts and playwrights and help our students become more articulate and enquiring.
Drama develops evaluation skills, gives students a voice, enables students’ to express themselves and allows them to explore the world around them- most importantly, we want Drama to be a place where students have fun.
Key Stage 3
In Foundation, L1 and L1P, students have 50 minutes of Drama a week. We begin by providing students with a detailed introduction to the necessary drama skills and techniques they need to know. We also work on developing students’ collaboration skills through pair and group work, and also nurture their creativity through the creation of still images, devised role-plays and script work. Plays studied include ‘Hamlet’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Blood Brothers’
Key Stage 4
At GCSE, students have 150 minutes of Drama a week and students study the Pearson Edexcel specification. GCSE students currently study the play DNA by Dennis Kelly, which explores a tragic tale of bullying and the consequences. Students look at the text from the perspectives of an actor, designer and a director. Students also have the opportunity to create their own devised work, inspired by practitioners such as Bertolt Brecht, Paper Birds and Frantic Assembly. Students at KS4 can expect to visit the theatre at least three times a year. Recent trips include ‘A Christmas Carol‘ at The Old Vic and ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night-time‘ at Wembley Troubadour.
Term Plans
Exam Specifications
GCSE Edexcel (1DR0) – Click here to see the specifications
A Level Edexcel (9DR0) – Click here to see the specifications
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntathome watching National Theatre performances from home
https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/ Learn more about one of the best devised theatre companies in the world
There is a weekly KS3 Drama club that runs where students perform drama games and work towards the creation of a performance, ideally to be performed for an audience. The most recent KS3 drama club production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ was performed prior to the Winter concert.
Some L1P and L2 students have had the opportunity this year to be part of the Old Vic Schools Club project which will see them take part in four practical workshops on a variety of themes including lighting design and directing and watch four performances at the Old Vic this academic year.
KS4 students have also had the opportunity to be involved in a project with the Donmar Warehouse where they have worked with a facilitator to create a devised piece of theatre on the theme of ‘fighting for humanity’.
Gallery
L1P and L2 students workshop at the Old Vic
Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash
