The Drama Department has a firm philosophy founded on preparing the minds of young people to cope with the outside world as well as educating students about theatre and its history. The department holds firm the following three principles throughout all lessons:
1) Listen
2) Respect
3) Focus
Students use the above principles to explore given cultural and social issues in Drama. They also learn about theatre with schemes based around plays, playwrights, directors and theatrical techniques. The department believes strongly that the vast amount of theatrical literature to be found in the world should not be ignored.
Students learn to express themselves in a safe environment. The main focus of teaching and learning is to encourage the free use of creativity and imagination, through exploration of story and character. Students will explore drama through looking at social themes and issues, key extracts from texts and refining their skills and preparing them for the future. As their skills develop so too does their knowledge of the performing arts industry as we prepare students who are wanting to work in this field. They will also have the opportunity to investigate the technical roles within the industry and approach theatre from this point of view.
Students are assessed on the ideas that they contribute to the process of devising drama and have to produce written log to track their progress. They also perform extracts of professional repertoire that can be a combination of group work, duologues and monologues. In addition, students explore, research and analyse live theatre and the roles and responsibilities of the practitioners involved in creating that theatre. Students are given the opportunity to see a piece of live professional theatre to prepare them for this and will be encouraged to see many examples of live theatre throughout the course to inspire and challenge them further.
Throughout the curriculum students explore a variety of texts that will challenge their understanding of life in the outside world. Students are expected to approach the course with a high level of maturity and are encouraged to embrace the holistic study of the theatre. Students are assessed on the ideas that they contribute to discussion and the process of creating drama. All practical elements are assessed on students’ ability to create and perform each discipline with accuracy, flair and creativity.
Curriculum Intent Overview
We believe that students deserve a broad and ambitious Drama curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, which immerses students in a range of styles. The curriculum will encourage students to become confident and independent thinkers, who will be able to create original work and critically analyse professional and non-professional repertoire. Students will have an appreciation of their own work and that of others, always demonstrating respect and empathy.
Our Drama curriculum will give students the opportunity to:
- develop creativity through understanding the benefits of participation in the arts, performance and creativity during their school journey;
- develop co-operation & collaboration;
- develop confidence in communication through developing vocal and physical skills;
- explore social issues though drama to develop tolerance and understanding;
- be exposed to different peoples’ perspectives and emotions on issues and events;
- be exposed to and use subject specific vocabulary effectively;
- study the history and influence of different practitioners on drama;
- develop an understanding of how to apply and analyse different stylistic qualities such as Naturalism, Physical theatre, Epic theatre and Surrealism;
- develop an ability to evaluate their own and others’ work.
| Pedagogy | Enrichment | Other general principles |
| Our pedagogy is supported by: a focus on developing students’ creativity through exploration; a focus on developing students’ analysis skills; the regular use of live modelling of practical tasks to demonstrate techniques effectively and use of exemplar answers to demonstrate processes, standards and expectations of written work; a range of strategies to deepen knowledge of different styles of drama the importance of giving students regular opportunities to improve work; students understanding what they are doing well and how they need to improve; students developing new skills through a variety of interesting contexts to foster enjoyment; students developing a rich and deep subject knowledge. | We will enrich our curriculum by: establishing cross-curricular links with literacy and SMSC; providing a rich and varied after school enrichment program;·providing opportunities to see live theatre and work with profession artist; providing the opportunity to take part in a national event (Shakespeare Schools Festival); developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning; providing on and off-site subject or topic related experiences; encouraging students to contribute to the life of the school and the community, including showcases and productions; building on their understanding of the importance of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance and respect; improving their spiritual, social, moral and cultural understanding. | Our curriculum will enable students to:·learn within a coherent chronological framework; learn key strategies and techniques and a level of complexity that increases at each stage; make relevant links between techniques, styles and theatre practitioners; have progression between key stages with students being exposed to themes and content that will allow all students to access the KS4 content; study with an appropriate division of time between ancient theatre, classic practitioners/texts and modern topics and playwrights. |