Drama

Subject Introduction

Head of Department: Jessica Thom

Staff Contact details: Jonathan Wise
Dramastudio1ec

Drama is all about understanding drama as an ‘art form’ and all the skills and techniques that will help you to learn your art. You will play many parts in different imaginary situations. You will have the opportunity to create your own work as well as look at plays written by other people.

The Drama department at Christ’s is committed to delivering the highest quality of teaching and learning both in and outside of the classroom. It is our aim to deliver a curriculum that challenges all students and stretches the most practically able. This is supported by the variety of extra-curricular activities available.

The department is led by Ms Thom assisted by Mr Wise

Drama is taught in two dedicated specialist spaces; the Drama Hall in the main building and in the Drama Studio in the Sixth Form Centre.

We have very high expectations of all our students and challenge each of them to achieve their personal best. 90% of our students achieved A*- C grades in GCSE Drama last year.

The Curriculum

Key stage 3

All students study drama in Key Stage 3.

Students study a range of scripted text and stimulus based devising in Key Stage 3. Novels, poems and short stories from our Literary Heritage and that of our wider world heritage are used as stimulus and to generate performance work. Students have one 1 hour session of Drama every week in Key Stage 3. Students develop their ability to be a reflective practitioner by offering verbal analysis of their work or that of others in every lesson. There is a diverse range of performance undertaken appropriate to different audiences and purposes.

Drama topics are taught in half-termly modules and students have a practical assessment at the end of each module. Students' progress is assessed regularly and tracked against target grades.

Topics Covered

Drama KS3 Curriculum Map

Key stage 4

Drama is offered as an option subject at GCSE. Students study drama mediums and processes and are assessed on their written analysis as well as on their practical performance.

The GCSE Drama course is in three parts:

Component 1: Understanding Drama

- Theatre roles and terminology

- Study of a set text

- Live theatre production review

- Written exam worth 40%

Component 2: Devising Drama

- Devise, rehearse and perform a devised piece of Drama

- Produce a Devising Log

- Coursework and practical work worth 40%

Component 3: Texts in Practice

- Study and present a key extract (monologue, duologue, group performance)

- Study and present a second key extract (monologue, duologue, group performance) from the same play

- Performance work worth 20%

Topics covered

Year 10

Skills to Create - development of performance skills required by AQA
Noughts and Crosses - set text for AQA written exam
Events as Stimulus - exploration of theme for AQA specification
Script Work - introduction to script work for AQA exam
Component 2: Devising Drama

This unit will be completed in the summer term, comprising of a performance exam and supported written evidence.

Year 11

Component 2: Texts in Practice.

Students will rehearse two sections of a set play for performance to an external examiner

Component 1: Understanding Drama

Students will re-cap and solidify knowledge of theatre skills, set text and Live Theatre in preparation for their written exam.

HOMEWORK

Homework is set in KS3 every two weeks. The homework will be a range of tasks that will allow students to explore character, research themes, write scripts and when it is coming up to an assessment; learn lines and bring in costume and props.

At KS4 and 5 homework is set according to the topic of student; some of which require purely practical homework. Homework set will relate to either the final exam or coursework. Homework is expected to be handed in via hard copy format.

Key stage 5

Building on the philosophy of the GCSE Syllabus, the emphasis is on Drama and Theatre Studies as a practical, intellectual and artistic subject. Students examine the use of theatrical forms and genre in relation to the exploration and performance of plays. Students develop an interest and enjoyment of Drama and theatre as participant and informed members of an audience fostering a critical appreciation of the subject. The students experience a range of opportunities to develop a variety of dramatic and theatrical skills.

Year 12

Unit 1 – Devising

Devise an original performance piece.

Use one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli.

Centre choice of text and practitioner.

Performer or designer routes available

Internally assessed via devised performance and written portfolio

Unit 2 – Theatre Makers Practise

A theatre evaluation

Exploration of theatre text

Interpretation of theatre text

Written exam

Year 13

Unit 2 – Text in Performance

A group performance of one key extract from a performance text.

A monologue or duologue from one key extract from a different performance text.

Externally assessed by visiting examiner

ENRICHMENT & EXTRA-CURRICULar

We offer a number of enrichment opportunities in the Drama department:

We offer an after school drama club for Years 7 and 8
We attend the Shakespeare for Schools Festival with Year 9
New Views Playwriting with National Theatre
LAMDA with Litle Voices
LAMDA with Sixth Form Enrichment
Regular school productions
Two showcases a year
Visit to the Edinburgh Festival and a trip to New York

Careers

Drama degrees combine creative talent with practical aspects of self-promotion, reflective analysis and management. This mix of disciplines is good preparation for entering the world of performance or wider business or management opportunities. Transferable skills that will be learnt by Drama graduate include:

Creative thinking

Critical evaluation

Literacy

Negotiating

Organising

Planning

Presentation

Research

Teamwork

Below are just some opportunities available to drama graduates:
Actor

Community arts worker

Dancer