The Drama department drama seeks to ensure that all pupils develop a broad range of skills and knowledge. Pupils are introduced to technique, style, genre and scripted drama in order to give them a deeper knowledge and understanding of drama in as many forms as possible.
Year 7
In year 7, pupils develop basic performance skills, explore scripts, learn about playwrights and develop an understanding of style and genre.
Unit 1- Introduction to Drama
The scheme covers:
- Using a story as a stimulus for practical work (Matilda)
- Basic acting skills
- Audience awareness
- Learning rehearsal technique
- Developing dialogue
- Communicating a message (Intro to Dramatic Intention)
Unit 2- Understanding scripts
The scheme covers:
- Using a script as a stimulus for practical work
- Using acting skills to communicate a specific role
- Using stage directions
- Developing rehearsal technique
- Understanding a playwright’s Dramatic Intention
Unit 3- Devising
The scheme covers:
- Using a variety of stimuli to develop practical work
- Developing acting skills
- Developing audience awareness- creating moments on stage
- Learning about spacing
- Developing a basic dramatic intention
Unit 4- Working as an ensemble
The scheme covers:
- Introducing non naturalistic Drama
- Learning simple non naturalistic techniques
- Developing ensemble work skills
- Developing audience awareness
- Identifying a dramatic intention through abstract work
Unit 5- Theatre in Education
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the purpose of Theatre in Education
- Developing understanding of non-naturalistic Drama
- Using non-naturalistic techniques to devise
- Applying ensemble work skills
- Applying stage discipline
- Communicating a dramatic intention through abstract work
Unit 6- Musical Theatre
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the style of Musical Theatre
- Adapting acting skills
- Applying performance skills
- Developing stage discipline
- Developing skills in singing and dancing
- Communicating dramatic intention through style of performance.
Year 8
In year 8, pupils further develop their performance skills, explore scripts, develop an understanding of dramatic intention. They explore a variety of stimuli and texts across a range of styles and genres.
Unit 1- Devising from a stimulus
The scheme covers:
- Using a story as a stimulus to explore practical work
- Developing naturalistic acting skills
- Language of the role
- Developing rehearsal technique
- Communicating with the audience
Unit 2- Exploring styles of script
The scheme covers:
- Interpreting a non-naturalistic script
- Interpreting a naturalistic script
- Exploring comedy as a genre
- Adapting use of acting skills to reflect style
- Using stage directions
- Creating effective characters on stage
Unit 3- Working as an ensemble
The scheme covers:
- Interpreting a non-naturalistic script
- Adapting use of acting skills to reflect style
- Developing understanding of context to inform acting skills
- Using context to understand Dramatic Intent
- Communicating a playwright’s Dramatic Intention
Unit 4-Theatre in Education
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the issues with knife crime in the UK
- Understanding the difference between naturalistic and non-naturalistic Drama
- Learning more complex non naturalistic techniques
- Developing ensemble work skills
- Understanding of target audience
- Communicating a dramatic intention through abstract work
Unit 5- Devising drama and speeches
The scheme covers:
- Raising awareness on actions having consequences, hate crimes and prejudice
- Importance of using accurate language of the role
- Conducting research on incidents and their societal impact
- Developing oracy skills
- Developing vocal skills
Unit 6- Musical Theatre
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the style of Musical Theatre
- Adapting and applying performance skills
- Developing understanding of style/ genre
- Using stage discipline
- Developing skills in dancing
- Understanding context
- Communicating dramatic intention through style of performance
Year 9
In year 9, pupils learn how to adapt their performance skills, explore scripts, deepen their understanding of dramatic intention and further develop their understanding of style and genre.
Unit 1- Musical Theatre
The scheme covers:
- Understanding roles and responsibilities in theatre
- Applying performance skills
- Introducing musical theatre makers
- Considering stage discipline within the genre
- Combining the disciplines
- Working as an ensemble
- Developing vocal and physical skills
Unit 2- Stanislavski and naturalism
The scheme covers:
- Interpreting a naturalistic script
- Developing naturalistic acting skills
- Using Stanislavski’s rehearsal techniques
- Developing understanding of style/ genre
- Using naturalistic acting skills to evoke empathy
Unit 3-Bertolt Brecht-Non naturalistic Drama
The scheme covers:
- Understanding style
- Identifying practitioner’s influences
- Understanding context
- Adapting performance skills
- Communicating a playwright’s Dramatic Intention through style of performance
Unit 4-Theatre in Education
The scheme covers:
- Using a historical event as a stimulus
- Combining naturalistic acting skills with non-naturalistic techniques
- Developing language of the role
- Developing audience awareness
- Communicating a dramatic intention
- Understanding verbatim theatre
- Brechtian techniques
Unit 5 -Devising
The scheme covers:
- Researching a stimulus
- Adapting use of acting skills and techniques to reflect style
- Understanding structure
- Choosing target audience
- Creating and communicating a dramatic intention
- Applying performance skills to their chosen topic
Unit 6- Musical Theatre
The scheme covers:
- Exploring the Performing Arts industry
- Applying performance skills
- Developing understanding of style/ genre
- Improving stage discipline
- Learn about dynamics in performance
- Style of musical theatre productions eg. Jukebox Musical
- Filming and analysing performances
Year 10
Pupils studying GCSE Drama follow the AQA specification. They say:
We’ve built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best – participate in performance. All students devise drama. All students explore texts practically and work on two text-based performances.
Students can choose to develop as a performer and can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.
Pupils are encouraged to develop confidence, communications skills and creativity. Through practical work, they can explore important issues and challenge their own beliefs. As part of the course, pupils experience live theatre and are keen to talk about their learning.
Unit 1: Devising
The scheme covers:
- Using a stimulus as a starting point
- Brechtian techniques
- Identifying and communicating creative intention
- Research based devising
- Group work skills and rehearsal technique
- Stage discipline
Unit 2: Blood Brothers, Willy Russell
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the plot and characters
- Exploring context and genre
- A playwright’s dramatic intention
- Understanding key moments
- Communicating intention to a target audience
- Introducing unit 1: Understanding Drama
Unit 3: Devising
The scheme covers:
- Revisiting unit 1
- Developing Brechtian techniques
- Using more complex stimuli as a starting point
- Workshop techniques
- Rehearsal techniques
- Structuring a performance
- Target audience
Unit 4: Devising Drama – EXAM
The scheme covers:
- Responding, Developing and Evaluating (unit 2 on AQA specification)
- Developing a devised performance for a target audience
- Using rehearsals to refine a devised performance
- Multi role- acting skills
- Responding to feedback
- Group work skills
Unit 5: Billy Elliot, The Musical
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the plot and characters
- Evaluating acting skills
- Style of musical theatre
- Historical context
- Understanding a playwright’s Dramatic Intention
Year 11
Pupils studying GCSE Drama follow the AQA specification. They say:
We’ve built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best – participate in performance. All students devise drama. All students explore texts practically and work on two text-based performances.
Students can choose to develop as a performer and can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.
Pupils are encouraged to develop confidence, communications skills and creativity. Through practical work, they can explore important issues and challenge their own beliefs. As part of the course, pupils experience live theatre and are keen to talk about their learning.
Unit 1: Blood Brothers, Willy Russell
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the plot and characters
- Exploring context and genre
- A playwright’s dramatic intention
- Understanding key moments/ themes
- Communicating intention to a target audience
- Analysing acting skills
- Proxemics and use of space
Unit 2: Billy Elliott, Lee Hall
The scheme covers:
- Understanding the plot and characters
- Evaluating acting skills
- Style of musical theatre
- Historical context
- Understanding a playwright’s Dramatic Intention
Unit 3: Texts in Practice – EXAM
The scheme covers:
- Exploring scripts
- Historical context and genre
- Interpreting a character
- Characterisation workshops
- Performance skills
- Acting skills
- Stage directions and proxemics
- Dramatic intention
Unit 4: Understanding Drama – EXAM
The scheme recaps:
- Blood Brothers
- Billy Elliot
- Exam technique
- Exam practice
It isn’t always about what they do on stage. It’s about them growing and working together. Appreciating each other and realizing that true talent is in the heart.
Believe all things are possible
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