Drama

Curriculum Intent

Scholars are offered a broad, balanced and ambitious Drama curriculum, both rich in skills and knowledge, immersing them in a range of styles. Drama is an important component in educating a well-rounded individual, giving essential opportunities for growth and challenge beyond the core subject content. The drama curriculum is spiral in nature; essential drama, employment and social skills are built into the curriculum. Pupils have the right to express themselves, be creative and be given the opportunity for exploration whilst working to achievable and challenging goals - Drama gives these opportunities in a safe and encouraging environment. The curriculum encourages scholars to become confident and independent thinkers, who will be able to take on challenging opportunities to create original work and critically analyse professional and non-professional repertoire. Scholars will have an appreciation and provide critique of their own work and that of others, always demonstrating respect and empathy.

Scholars at Djanogly City Academy will explore and develop their creativity through a variety of styles, themes and topics, becoming more confident and independent thinkers with strong communication. They will participate in an engaging and motivational practical curriculum that supports their personal development alongside the development of new acting skills, as well nurturing existing talent.

All Scholars will:

➢ study a range of practitioners, diverse plays and challenging styles of theatre in order to develop their practical and theoretical understanding of Drama.

➢ confidently articulate and analyse inspirational live productions and their own performances. Within this, they will identify Drama techniques and skills and form a critical opinion.

➢ regularly make, perform and respond to Drama, in order to develop their own practice, through the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum which develops breadth and depth of drama knowledge

➢ develop core transferable skills, such as communication, co-operation and confidence that will be motivational and assist them with future preparation for any chosen career path.

The department will give students the opportunity to share work with their peers, in the local community, as well as wider opportunities through Nottingham Theatre Royal, Arts Award, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Derby University, Nottingham Playhouse and New Art Exchange.

Key Stage 3

The programme of study from the national curriculum document drives all pupils to participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama. Pupils are given opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another and a range of audiences, as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.

Year 7

Scholars begin their study of Drama through the medium of storytelling. Scholars will develop skills and techniques to confidently create performances within their lessons that reflect the topics they are studying.  This first year of their formal Drama learning will ensure that all scholars will be able to competently participate in a variety of activities, interpretations of text, the evaluation of performances and the devising of drama.

•  Can effectively use a variety of drama techniques/skills.
• Can use key drama terminology.
• Can accurately identify different styles of theatre and drama.
• Can devise a short performance and rehearse independently.
• Can reflect on their own practice and identify strengths, see areas for improvement and refining.

Year 8

In Year 8 scholars will build on their previous year’s learning and begin to explore deeply the key drama skills and techniques that will enable them to successfully analysis and evaluate the different approaches in theatre.  Scholars will explore the play text ‘Blood Brothers’ and begin to understand how to apply their new skills in a theatrical setting.  They will also create presentations that will demonstrate an engagement with the production roles associated with drama (Set, Costume, Lighting, Sound…), giving them an appreciation of the job available in the theatre.

• Can devise and refine a short performance.
• Can accurately follow the structure of a play text and write their own.
• Able to interpret and learn a text.
• Can effectively use the performance space and show a relationship between the performers on stage.
• Can change their vocal and physical interpretation to create a believable character.
• Can understand the work of Practitioners and effectively use their technique.
• Can understand how a theatre works and gain experience in each role.

Year 9

During Year 9 scholars start to transition towards their GCSE studies by looking at the history of drama, technical theatre aspects and ultimately performing in front of an audience. Scholars will be given opportunities to develop their employability skills which are learned in Drama, which will develop their knowledge beyond acting. Scholars will also learn about different practitioners and styles of theatre with opportunity to devise and apply these styles to their own work.

• Can independently rehearse, direct, and devise a performance.
• Can use a variety of drama techniques in their work.
• Can effectively implement practitioners in their performances.
• Can understand the social, historical, and cultural context of a play.
• Have a developing knowledge of set design, lighting, costume, and sound.
• Can understand more complex practitioner techniques and use them within a performance.
• Can create a whole class performance.
• Recognize the transferability of Drama Skills

Curriculum Map

drama curriculum map.pdf

 

Useful Links

BBC Bitesize - Drama BBC Bitesize - Drama Essentials

Key Stage 4

GCSE Drama (Exam Board: AQA)

Scholars will study 3 components over 2 years in GCSE Drama, these include:

Component 1: Understanding Drama

Component 2: Devising Drama (Practical)

Component 3: Texts in Practice (Practical)

At GCSE level, scholars will explore a range of texts, practitioners and live theatre productions. Scholars will also have the opportunity to explore and experiment with technical theatre which will enable them to devise all aspects of their own performances. The key focus at GCSE level is building a dramatic skill set, instilling confidence and having an ability to work and rehearse independently. Each component is assessed individually as follows:

Component 1

• Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Open book
• 80 marks
• 40% of GCSE

Component 2

• Devising log (60 marks)
• Devised performance (20 marks)
• 80 marks in total
• 40% of GCSE

Component 3

• Performance of Extract 1 (20 marks) and Extract 2 (20 marks)
• 40 marks in total
• 20% of GCSE

Useful Links

BBC Bitesize - Drama AQA GCSE Drama AQA Drama - Practice Papers AQA Drama - Mark Scheme

Curriculum Overview

drama.pdf