Theatre Studies

Department

The aim of the department is to raise the profile of Drama within the school and community. Drama has a significant role to play in any child's education, creating and developing confidence and life skills.

The aims of the department are to:

develop confidence and achieve their own potentail.
stimulate and maintain pupil interest and enjoyment in drama.
enable students to work independently and as part of a team.
create a positive environment so all students feel valued and secure.

Facilities

We have state of the art Drama facilities with 2 studios and a full working Theatre with lighting / music and seats 152 people.

KS 3 Drama

In year 7, all students receive 1 hour a week of Drama. In Year 8 and 9 they are given an option to continue with Drama. This is an extrememly popular option and is often over-subscribed.

Students will work on specific skills such as development of dramatic techniques, sounds, role-play and improvisations. The course builds confidence and encourages teamwork.

Assessment

Students are assessed throughout the Key Stage, using Arts Council objectives

These are spilt into 3 sections

Making
Performing
Responding

This is also reinforced through the Drama Stars scheme where students can gain merits and postcards to encourage a positive working environment

GSCE Drama

The course is a continuation and extension of the work covered at Key Stage 3, allowing students to follow their interest in this subject to a greater depth and learn a range of drama and theatre skills. It encourages confidence and understanding in a variety of situations, with development of co-operative skills through working and contributing to group and class discussions. The course is largely practical with written coursework presented through portfolios.

The students will be expected to participate in out of school hours activities, theatre visits and workshops.

The Course:

Exam Board: Edexcel

The Edexcel GCSE comprises of 3 units

Unit 1 Drama Exploration of (30%)
This is supported by a written portfolio of evidence

The students use stimulus material to explore ideas issues though exploration workshops.

Unit 2 Drama Expolring play Texts (30%)
The students work practically on exploring and interpreting a play text through workshop

Unit 3 Drama Performance
This is externally marked by a visiting examiner

Assessment

Students are assessed using exam board criteria

AS and A2 level Drama

This is a mainly practical course, based on the study of theatre texts, devised work and improvisational skills. Students will study five texts from the point of view of director, designer, performer and critic.The course aims to promote an enjoyment of and interest in drama and theatre both as a participant and as an informed member of an audience.

Exam Board: Edexcel

Texts Covered:

The Accidental Death of an Anarchist
A Doll's House
Road

Practitioners:

Stanislavski
Brecht

Skills developed in the course:

Organisation
Performance
Communication
Co-operation
Imagination
Creativity
Theatre History

Theatre Trips:

Regular visits to see a range of performances and workshops are a compulsory part of the course. This year the students have seen A Clockwork Orange, The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, The Permanent Way, Macbeth, Tierno Bokar, Street Trilogy and A Midsummer Nights Dream at Stratford.