Drama

Curriculum Intent

Performing Arts is a subject that enables you to create, learn, develop and explore your potential. Performing Arts offers a range of skills that can branch across the curriculum and at home. Offering opportunities to perform, write and share their work scholars can begin to build their confidence, leadership skills, independence, communication and ability to work effectively as a team. Scholars will explore a range of different texts and musical compositions, spanning across multiple cultures and periods in time offering them a wider understanding of the world. Performing Arts also helps scholars to learn about and prepare for the wider world by exploring difficult topics through the use of music and drama, further developing emotional intelligence.  Scholars can develop the mastery needed to begin a career in the arts and use their transferrable skills to help with interviews, presentations and overall confidence. The performing arts are all about discovering your potential and pushing yourself further than you ever believed you could in a supportive and disciplined environment.

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 extracurricular activities. Scholars will be able to opt in to after school drama sessions which will prepare them for both year 8 and a school performance. Year 7 will have the opportunity to showcase their talents for family and friends whilst also getting a head start for their formal drama education in year 8.

Year 8

In Year 8 scholars will begin to develop key drama skills and a foundation of dramatic knowledge with a specific focus on role play and improvisation. Scholars will explore the play text ‘Blood Brothers’ and begin to understand how to apply their new skills in a theatrical setting.

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 explore lighting, sound, costume, directing and stage management and 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.

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