Curriculum

DRAMA

Why study Drama?

Our aim in Drama is to help pupils to explore the world around them and to ignite their creativity, passion and interest in drama and the theatre. Students are able to explore their expression and creativity. It offers opportunity for collaboration, either in the writing, production or performance. Drama allows students to share stories and experiences whether fictional, real or lived. Drama allows students to find common ground. It challenges the way the students and the audience think. All this and it improves confidence as a public speaker.

How will I study Drama?

Students are given the opportunity to develop their understanding of drama practitioners and performance styles. They will experience live theatre and have the opportunity to be involved in productions and performances. Students will consider aspects of theatrical design, including costume and set design, music and lighting.

In Drama, students are required to make independent decisions and be self-critical, but also take into consideration the thoughts, feelings and ideas of others.

What will I study at key stage 4?

Students gain a practical understanding of drama, and apply this knowledge to their performances as they develop their practical skills. Students can choose to be a performer or can take on the role of designer in lighting, sound, set or costume. Students must choose one role throughout the component but can choose different roles throughout the course. 

Students research and explore a stimulus, work collaboratively and create their own devised drama. They complete a portfolio of evidence during the devising process, give a final performance of their drama, and write an evaluation of their own work.

Students develop and apply theatrical skills in acting or design by presenting a showcase of two extracts from a performance text. The chosen extracts must allow sufficient exploration of dialogue, plot and/or subplot, and characterisation for students to work in depth on their acting or design skills.

Students explore practically a whole performance text, and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how drama is developed, performed and responded to. They also analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance.

Assessment

Examination Board: OCR

Component 1 – Devising Drama
Overview Focus
  • Non-examined assessment
  • 60 marks
  • 30% of GCSE

Pupils explore a stimulus provided by the exam board, working in groups to create their own devised drama based on their exploration.

Pupils can work as either performers or designers creating a portfolio and a final performance.

Component 2 – Presenting and Performing Texts
Overview Focus
  • Non-examined assessment
  • 60 marks
  • 30% of GCSE

Pupils explore a text and perform two scenes to a visiting examiner.

Pupils can work as either performers or designers completing a pro forma and a final performance showcase.

Component 3 – Drama Performance and Response
Overview Focus
  • Written exam (1 hour 30 mins)
  • 80 marks
  • 40% of GCSE

Section A contains questions based on the study of a full text from a list set by the exam board.

Section B contains an extended response analysing and evaluating live theatre.

Enrichment

The Performing Arts department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs such as Open Mic, peripatetic lessons, band club. They organise a range of educational visits and theatre trips throughout the year including the ballet, musical theatre, expressive art performances. Talent shows and whole school musicals are regular calendared events and see high levels of pupil engagement.

Careers

The study of Performing Arts could lead to being a professional performer, director, lighting designer, costume and wigs designer, sound engineer, dancer, singer and actor. Famous people include Matthew Bourne, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Dame Judy Dench.

Useful Resources and Revision Support