Drama

Drama promotes: emotional intelligence, self-worth, play, cultural awareness, observation, socialising, curiosity, responsibility, pride, discipline, exercise, planning, communication, negotiation, compassion, sensitivity, team work, self-expression, imagination, spontaneity, fun, focus, leadership, evaluation, confidence, confidence, vocabulary, self-control, self-esteem, empathy, stamina, concentration, friendship, articulation, leadership, collaboration, perspective, interaction, organisation, perseverance, and non-verbal communication.

Careers that benefit from having studied Drama:
Teacher, solicitor, barrister, judge, journalist, therapist, radio broadcaster, social worker, youth worker, manager, producer, public relations manager, fundraiser, special needs teacher, advertising and marketing, hospitality and tourism, retail, recruitment, agent, event organiser, press officer, scriptwriter and lighting technician to name but a few.

KS3

All pupils study Drama in Years 8, 9 and 10, getting two periods of Drama a week lasting 1hr 10mins. We have a very popular Drama Club for KS3 pupils every Wednesday 3.20-4.20 run by our Drama Committee, which is made up of KS4 and KS5 Drama enthusiasts.

Year 8

Term One: Darkwood Manor and Pantomime

Term Two: Spy School and Script Work

Term Three: Shakespeare Shorts and Talent Show

Year 9

Term One: Melodrama and Pantomime

Term Two: Style Carousel and TIE

Term Three: Script Work and Talent Show

Year 10

Term One: Stage Fighting and Pantomime

Term Two: Animal Farm and Practitioners

Term Three: Shakespeare Festival and Devising

GCSE

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

Unit	Content
Unit One Year 11 25% Practical	Students devise their own play – they can be marked as an actor or designer (lighting, set or costume) Student Log
Unit Two Year 12 35% Practical	Students pick a script and prepare a performance of it – they can be marked as an actor or designer (lighting, set or costume)
Unit Three Prepare in Year 11 & 12 Take the exam at the end of Year 12 40% Written – 1hr 30mins	Students study one play and answer seven short questions in the exam about the acting, directing and design of this play.

A Level

Drama and Theatre Studies has proved a popular choice in the Abbey and we often collaborate with A Level pupils from the Sacred Heart. (Edexcel Specification)

Component 1: Devising

Practical and written

40% of the qualification

Year 13

Content overview

- Devise an original performance piece.
- Use one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli.
- Performer or designer routes available.
- A portfolio

Assessment overview

· Internally assessed and externally moderated.

Component 2: Text in Performance

Practical

20% of the qualification

Year 14

Content Overview

A group performance OR design realisation (set, costume, lights) of a script.
A monologue/ duologue performance OR design realisation of one key moment of a different script.

Assessment Overview

Externally Assessed by a visiting examiner.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

Written Examination – 2hrs 30mins – exam is the end of Year 14

40% of the qualification

Prepare in Year 13 and Year 14

Content Overview

Live Theatre Evaluation
Practical exploration and study of a play – focus on how to bring it from page to stage.
Practical exploration and interpretation of a different play – focus on a theatre practitioner and how it would be performed for a modern audience.

Assessment Overview

Live Theatre – one question. Can bring in support notes.
First performance text – two questions. Write from the perspective of a performer AND a designer.
Second performance text – one question. Clean copies of the play can be used.

Quick Contact Details

Mr P. McParland

Curriculum Information

Drama is a (wonderful) statutory requirement at KS3.

Drama enables pupils to explore, develop and express ideas and concepts which will help them make sense of reality.

Drama is a life skill and a creative art form. It helps pupils develop their ability to use voice, movement, gesture and facial expression, in acting, mime, dance drama and improvisation. They can express and manage their thoughts and feelings – shared and experienced – while working in a safe and controlled environment. The development of these skills encourages self confidence and self awareness. It promotes the development of the individual in a group context: roles and ideas are negotiated, problems solved and decisions made together. Drama often leads to performance for a wider audience.