You will have the opportunity to study and watch modern and exciting plays, collaborate with your peers to create your own innovative pieces and develop your acting skills. You will also develop your written analytical and reflective skills.
Overview of Year 7, 8 & 9 Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to be broad and interact with a wide range of theatrical styles, performance skills and texts that will properly prepare pupils for the requirements of the GCSE course, whilst also providing opportunities to foster their own creativity and develop skills in creative thinking, collaboration, communication and public speaking.
In the first term of Year 7 pupils develop their drama and performance skills whilst exploring ‘The Party’ scheme and explore different styles of dance in an ‘Intro to dance’ scheme. They then explore and prepare a script from a published play and devise an original work from a stimulus. The year is rounded off with a video project.
In Year 8 pupils study the acting style and conventions of Melodrama, create their own filmed Silent Movies, devise an original piece of drama and explore and prepare an extract from Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills. The also study a style of dance by a choreographer such as Christopher Bruce.
In Year 9 pupils study Physical Theatre and devise a piece of original theatre within this style. They also explore the use of multirole and comedy and devise an original piece of theatre from a stimulus utilising all the skills learned in Years 7-9. In the summer term Year 9 finish the KS3 course by choreographing and creating their own Music Video.
Overview of the GCSE Curriculum
Year 10
We begin the course with some practical ice breakers, scripted explorations and practical drama exercises to bond the group and develop a strong working relationship.
Pupils develop their performance skills through rehearsing extracts of DNA that they must perform to a live audience in our Drama Studio. Pupils must also create and present their own design concepts for the play including Set, Costume, Lighting and Stage Props and Furniture.
In the first year pupils also attend a theatre trip which they learn to discuss and evaluate in a Live Theatre Response.
Year 11
Pupils continue devising their original work which they must perform to an audience at the end of the term. They also keep a log of their process and decisions which helps them to write an accompanying portfolio evaluating their process.
Pupils work on developing their portfolios whist also rehearsing their scripted pieces which are performed to an examiner and a live audience.
Enrichment Opportunities & Trips
We have a varied and well-attended programme of enrichment opportunities in the Drama and Dance department including:
Drama Scholarships
In Years 7, 9 and Sixth Form, students are invited to apply for the scholars’ programme which offers an extension programme of study and opportunities to compete in National competitions.
