Drama and Performing Arts

The Drama Department is committed to providing students with a dynamic and engaging learning experience that cultivates both practical and theoretical understanding of the subject. Our goal is to equip students with the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in a variety of life and employment contexts. Through experiential and active learning, students will develop their creativity, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Our department strives to create a safe and inclusive environment that encourages students to take risks, explore their creativity, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

The Importance of Drama in Career Development

Studying drama offers students far more than just the ability to perform on stage. It provides a wealth of skills that are transferable across a wide range of careers, preparing young people for success in their professional lives.

Drama develops communication skills, encouraging confidence, clear articulation, and effective self-expression—qualities essential in careers such as teaching, law, public relations, and journalism. Collaboration is at the heart of drama, utilising teamwork skills, leadership, and adaptability, which are valuable in fields like business management, event planning, and healthcare.

Moreover, drama nurtures creativity and problem-solving, traits highly sought after in creative industries, marketing, and innovative tech roles. The ability to empathise and understand diverse perspectives, cultivated through dramatic exploration, benefits careers in social work, counselling, and customer relations.

From the stage to the boardroom, drama equips students with the interpersonal, organisational, and critical thinking skills they need to thrive. Whether aspiring to be an actor or looking to excel in other fields, drama provides a strong foundation for a successful future.

KS3

All pupils study Drama in Years 8, 9 and 10, with one lesson each week lasting 1hr 10mins.

Ks3 Drama Club is designed primarily for pupils to enjoy as an extra curricular pastime each Tuesday from 3.20pm to 4.20pm. The club activities are planned for and facilitated by our Drama Committee, which is made up of KS4 and KS5 Drama pupils.

KS4

GCSE Drama

Drama is a popular choice at GCSE. (CCEA Specification) CCEA GCSE Drama Webpage

Component	Content
Component 1 Year 11 25% Practical	Students devise and perform their own play. They can be marked as an actor or designer (lighting, set or costume). 15% Students complete coursework by analysing and evaluating the devising journey and research conducted. 10%
Component 2 Year 12 35% Practical	Students develop a performance from an extract of a published play script. They can be marked as an actor or designer (lighting, set or costume)
Component 3 Prepare in Year 11 & 12 Take the exam at the end of Year 12 40% Written – 1hr 30mins	Students study one play text and answer seven short questions in the exam about acting, directing and design aspects of the play.

Performance Skills Level 2

This course is taken alongside the GCSE Drama course and makes the Drama choice at KS4 a double award option.

Unit 1: Working in the Performing Arts Industry
Portfolio of evidence, internally
assessed and externally moderated
Winter and Summer

Unit 2: Develop Technique for Performance
Portfolio of evidence, internally
assessed and externally moderated
Winter and Summer

Unit 3: Rehearse and Perform
Portfolio of evidence, internally
assessed and externally moderated

KS5

A Level

Performing Arts (CCEA Specification) CCEA GCE Performing Arts Webpage

Performing arts is a huge growth industry in Northern Ireland creating a range of employment opportunities here.

Unit AS 1: Developing Skills and Repertoire

60% of AS
24% of A Level

Content overview

A portfolio, including a summary of research, skills audit, record of work, risk assessment, either live performance or production and presentation, and evaluation.
Live performance and/or presentation.

Assessment overview

Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Unit AS 2: Planning and Realising a Performing Arts Event

40% of AS
16% of A Level

Content Overview

Live performance and/or presentation.
Supporting document in three sections produced under controlled conditions.

Assessment Overview

Externally set pre-release stimulus material and externally assessed.

A2 1: Planning for Employment

60% of A2
36% of A Level

Content Overview

A record of work, including a written report in three sections, promotional portfolio and evaluation.

Assessment Overview

Internally assessed and externally moderated

A2 2: Performing to a Commission Brief

Content Overview

A record of work, including a research report, summary of findings, evidence of tasks completed and evaluation. The evaluation is to be produced under controlled conditions.
Live performance and/or presentation.

Assessment Overview

Externally set pre-release stimulus material and externally assessed.

Quick Contact Details

Mr P. McParland

Curriculum Information

Drama Department Aims

The Drama Department is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and enriching learning experience for students. The specific aims include:

Extending personal and social development in students
Cultivating students’ creative and emotional intelligence
Encouraging imaginative and collaborative work, allowing students to generate, develop, and communicate ideas
Exploring relevant issues from multiple perspectives, promoting critical thinking and empathy
Developing students’ knowledge, skills, and understanding specific to the subject area
Enhancing students’ verbal and non-verbal communication and expressive abilities
Providing opportunities for students to engage with and respond to a diverse range of dramatic literature and stimuli
Fostering an appreciation of live theatre and its role in society
Developing students as independent and reflective learners, equipped with transferrable skills for future success