Key Stage 3
Drama is a creative and practical subject taught to all KS3 students once a week. It is an independent subject. Students study drama and theatre as an art form as well as developing their key skills of concentration, team-work, individual confidence and self-discipline.
- Introduction to Drama – Mime. Students gain a secure knowledge of what drama is and establish explorative strategies, styles and techniques.
- Beowulf – this is the exploration of storytelling and introduction to using dialogue
- Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations- this is the exploration of a script and introduction to exploring a character.
- The Lost Valley – this is a cross-curricular exploration linking to Cultural Studies. Student’s use ‘teacher in role’ and ‘whole group improvisations’ to explore a virtual reality and survive.
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream – this approaches Shakespeare in a practical way, looking sound and costume.
- Suspense and Tension – this is a cross-curricular project with music; students consolidate learning and establish how important pause and silence is to build the tension and create a climax.
- Introduction to Theatre History – From Greek theatre to 21st Century Theatre, students explore genre and performance style.
- Evacuees – this uses historical artefacts such as Chamberlin’s speech to create drama and empathise with characters’ situations.
- Bullying – this explores the theme using a selection of styles focusing on how to create an impact on the audience.
- Mask work and acting technique – this develops acting skills with particular focus on movement skills, building up to using Trestle Theatre masks and creating non-naturalistic characters.
- Commedia Dell’Arte – this explores the genre of Italian renaissance comedy and developing characteristics.
- Musical Theatre – Students compete in an inter-house competition. Each tutor group creates and performs one number as a whole class from the chosen musical.
- Drama Terminology – Students explore stage space, identify technical terminology, content, style and form.
- Civil Rights/Rosa Parks – this uses historical artefacts as stimulus to explore human rights in different social and historical contexts.
- Blood Brothers – this is the exploration of Willy Russell’s script introducing elements of KS4 drama.
- Physical Theatre/Gangs – this uses the text of West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet as stimulus to explore the culture of gangs and social/cultural differences.
- Devising – Final KS3 performance. Students create a final performance piece using all the skills they have learned in KS3 Drama.
Key Stage 4
Component 1: Understanding of Drama (Written Exam 1hr 45 mins) Students answer three sections of questions on theatre roles and terminology, study of set text and live theatre response.
Section A: Multiple choice theatre roles and terminology (4 marks)
Section B: Four questions on a given extract from the set play that you study. (44 marks)
Section C: One question (from a choice) on the work of the theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)
Component 2: Devising Drama (Practical) Students create, develop and perform a devised piece from stimulus material provided by the teacher. The devised piece must be performed using a specific genre. Students must choose one specialism, performer or designer. The devising log is each students individual record of their contribution to the group process, it is an analysis and evaluation of the work created.
Component 3: Texts in Practice (Practical) Performance of two extracts from one play. Students may contribute as a performer or designer.
How will I be assessed?
Component 1: Understanding of Drama. Open Book Written Exam 1hr 45 mins 80 Marks in total. 40% of GCSE
Component 2: Devising Drama. Devising log – Process/Evaluation. 2,500 words if entirely written. Devising log can contain photographs and sketches. (60 marks) Devised performance – Performance/designer (20 marks) 80 Marks in total. 40% of GCSE
Component 3: Texts in Practice. Performance of extract 1 (20 marks) Performance of extract 2 (20 marks) 40 Marks in total. 20% of GCSE
In Year 10 and 11 students attend regular theatre trips. Students will also get the opportunity to assist, act and direct in regular school productions including the Year 10 performance evening.
Careers for which the qualification would be useful
Acting, directing, textiles, technical support, creative writing, arts marketing, public speaking, teaching and many more.
These details are provisional, awaiting final approval from the regulatory body for public examinations.
Key Stage 5
A Level Drama and Theatre
Exam Board: AQA Students will have the opportunity to create, perform and respond to drama and theatre. They will develop their creativity and independence to become effective theatre makers.
Component 1: Drama and Theatre Drama and Theatre Students study two set texts (Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare and Metamorphosis, Berkoff) and develop knowledge and understanding of making, performing, interpreting and understanding drama and theatre.Students will learn how to analyse and evaluate the work of live theatre makers (performers/ designers/directors).
Questions that will be covered include: How do the theatrical processes and practices involved in interpreting and performing theatre impact performance? How is meaning created using conventions, forms and techniques in drama and live theatre? Do creative and artistic choices influence how meaning is communicated to an audience?
Component 2: Creating Original Drama (Practical) Students will create a group performance/design realisation of one key extract from two different play texts which contrast in style and genre.
Questions that will be covered include: How do acting styles contrast and change depending on genre? Why are the key scenes so important in each play text?
Component 3: Making Theatre (Practical)
Practical performance exam. Students must also study for this component the work and methodology of one influential theatre practitioner chosen from a list of prescribed practitioners. Reflective Report that shows students log of the performance process.
How will I be assessed?
Component 1: Drama and Theatre 40% of A-level (3 hour, open book written exam)
Section A: Drama through the ages - Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre, set text 1
Section B: 20th and 21st century drama – Exploration of set text 2
Section C: Live theatre production - Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers.
Component 2: Creating Original Drama (practical) 30% of A-level (practical performance exam)
Working notebook that shows students’ creative and interpretive processes of performance. Students will analyse and evaluate their individual contribution to the success of the final performance piece.
Component 3: Making Theatre (practical) 30% of A-level
Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3) each taken from a different play. Extract 3 will be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)
Theatre History www.theatrehistory.com
Theatre Crafts www.theatrecrafts.com
British Theatre Guide www.britishtheatreguide.com
Official London Theatre Guide www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
Higher Education Opportunities:
Drama and Theatre Studies is not just for those who wish to pursue a career within the Theatre.
In Year 12 and 13 students attend regular theatre trips.
In Year 13 students will have the opportunity to visit the USA in conjunction with Media Studies and Politics.
Students will also get the opportunity to assist, act and direct in regular school productions.