Abbey CBS Newry Grammar School

The Abbey Grammar School
77a, Ashgrove Road
Newry
Co Down, BT34 1QN
N Ireland
+44 (0) 28 3026 3142

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.

Departmental Staff

Mr P.McParland

Head of Department

Departmental Photo Gallery

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