Drama

Studying Drama helps students to gain confidence in both their oral and written communication. It is vital as part of the KS3 curriculum to improve communication skill, team working skills and confidence.

Expectations in the Drama department are high in terms of behaviour and study. Students are expected to use their communication skills to create imaginative theatre, discuss, debate, and work well as part of a group. The Drama department is a small department with experienced staff who are passionate about Drama and have worked with students with a range of abilities. The department is supportive, with an open door policy for students.

Our aim is to promote a love of the Arts and provide rigorous study to develop skills and expertise in not only acting but also creating and presenting theatre of different genres. Student’s experience in the department will provide them with knowledge of a wide range of theatre styles including abstract and physical theatre. By the time our students leave at the end of KS4 or 5, they have a vast knowledge of theatre styles and history and will have studied at least two influential theatre practitioners in detail.

As a department, we work very hard on enrichment with extracurricular activities for both KS3, 4 and 5 running throughout the year. KS3 takes part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, with the opportunity to perform at a professional theatre. Specific KS4 and 5 productions, like the upcoming ‘The Crucible’, provide older students with the opportunity to be part of a large production and use and enjoy hard-earned acting skills in front of a live audience. Students are invited on various theatre trips in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

At Key Stage 3, students study a range of topics from theatre skills and history to physical theatre and script writing. Discussion and debate feature heavily in lessons, particularly in year 9 where students study issue based topics like ‘healthy relationships’ in a theatrical context. Students are encouraged to audition for extracurricular activities like the Shakespeare Schools Festival and summer concert celebrations of the Arts.

At Key Stage 4, we follow the Eduqas GCSE specification. Only students who have chosen Drama as a subject option complete the GCSE Qualification.  Students will study a range of plays from pre-1945 texts to modern texts. The course is 60% practical performance exam based and 40% written in the form of a final exam and coursework, which is completed throughout the two years. 

How can you support your child?

• Encourage your child to read plays, both modern and historical.
• Go to the theatre, student tickets for the National Theatre are available for as little as £5.
• Help your child to learn their lines in preparation for exams and assessments.
• Make sure your child is aware of the importance commitment to a project in terms of attending rehearsals when working as a group and monitor their intervention attendance.
• Come in to school to see your child’s exam performances and production performance.