The skills learnt within Drama help equip our students with the ability to communicate clearly and with confidence. Students work independently and in groups, ranging from pairs to whole class productions. Whether it is playing panto dames or using freeze frame sequences to convey complex concepts, students get involved in a wide range of activities. In Drama, students explore written scripts as well as writing their own. Through this they gain an understanding of characters and plot structures, as well as a range of staging techniques. Drama provides students with the opportunity to explore important issues and themes in a safe and productive environment, whilst at the same time allowing students to explore their own self-expression.
Key Stage 3
Students are taught to:
- recognise and use basic dramatic techniques, including freeze-frames, sequencing, mime, spotlighting, hot seating and thought tracking
- understand characters and develop empathy skills
- understand staging, including set design and props
- interpret and perform scripts, exploring different methods of characterisation
- convert prose to script form
- create their own scripts and improvise
- gain an awareness of audience, including the purpose of dramatic irony.
Key Stage 4
we follow the AQA Drama specification. To find out more, click here.
The content of the GCSE Drama specification is designed to enable students to enjoy and understand the art of communicating through live performance, with scripted and improvised pieces. It will provide a route to study Drama at A Level and the more practical-based courses. Or to simply gain confidence in public speaking and presenting work in higher education or the world of work.
The course comprises of two units. The first is practical work, which is worth 60% of the qualification. Students will work on at least two practicals through the course. These practicals make up most of the first year’s work in class and do require students to attend extra rehearsals after school where necessary. The second unit is the written exam, which is worth 40% of the qualification. The exam is 1 1/2 hours and is assessed on essay responses to questions exploring the work they have done during the course, including practical pieces carried out in class, script work carried out in class and live productions seen during the course.
The Team
Miss N Knight
Miss E Burnard
Miss B Mason
Miss M Russell