Drama

KS3 (Years 7 to 9)

Throughout these years, Dance and Drama are taught together.


The Drama and Dance units of work aim to develop skills and understanding of the processes involved in performance. These processes include planning, devising/ choreographing, participating, performing and evaluating across a range of activities.


Students should develop the ability to:


(a) use appropriate vocal and physical skills with clarity, fluency and control;


(b) interpret and develop a role and character;


(c) work within a group, socialise and build confidence;


(d) express and communicate feelings and ideas;


(e) evaluate a performance while using appropriate vocabulary;


(f) use appropriate props and costumes, and design a simple set.


The Areas of Study include:


Dance - where students learn to follow set steps and also create their own dances by experimenting with a variety of styles and skills. They also cover the basic technical skills in movement.


Improvisation - where students learn to use appropriate acting skills and create a scene to illustrate an issue, theme, character, situation or text.


Acting from a script - where students will learn to use appropriate voice and movement skills when working from interpreting a role.



Programme of study Y7

Musical Theatre: An introduction to the genre, using the Musical 'Matilda', in which students learn basic skills including acting through song and dance.

Greek Theatre: Drama unit of work that introduces students to this genre.

Trestle Masks & Comedy: Drama unit of work based on Trestle masks that introduces students to performing with masks. Through this unit, students will learn to communicate more effectively using their physicality. Comedy SOW will introduce students to this genre.

Matthew Bourne: Dance unit of work in which students learn features of the work of choreographer Bourne and learn an extract of repertoire.


Programme of study Y8

Voice and Characterisation: An acting unit that develops a wide range of Drama techniques. Students are introduced to the practitioner John Godber and they learn about developing characterisation and rehearsing a script.

'Hillsborough disaster': Dance scheme of work in which students learn the key elements of dance and choreograph a piece based on the chosen stimulus. Students are introduced to written analysis of Dance performances.

Devised Thematic 'Social Media': A devised thematic unit based on Social Media in which students learn a range of explorative strategies that they can use when devising their own pieces. In this unit, students are introduced to written evaluation of Drama performances.


Programme of study Y9

‘Five Soldiers’ and ‘Swansong’: Dance unit of work based on interrogation and war. Both pieces are used for a number of activities including repertoire tasks.

'Crime and Punishment': Drama unit of work based on the topic of ‘Crime and Punishment’. It will look at the theme from many different angles and it is important to explore how this theme can be presented to an audience.


Dance and Drama theory and practical activities to prepare for students going into GCSE: Free project task based on chosen stimulus: ‘The Evacuation’, ‘The Gray Drape’ painting, Thailand Tsunami, ‘Still I Rise’ poem


Assessment

Assessment records are kept for each unit of work based on skills, commitment and conduct. 

Homework may be of a practical nature (eg. rehearsing a phrase of movement, learning a short script or preparing simple props and costumes), or consist of a research task or an analytical/appraisal written exercise.

KS4 (Years 10 & 11)

Award: GCSE

Awarding Body: AQA 

Specification Code: 8261 

Specification Website: AQA GCSE Drama

This course leads on to an A-Level.

Drama is an exciting option for students who are passionate about the theatre and performance. It helps them to develop a wide range of skills while nurturing their talent. Students must be prepared to be committed and to work hard.

Year 10 - Developing practical skills in script work, improvisation and devising. Study of the theory of Drama, theatre roles and staging.

Year 11 - Preparing for the practical and written examinations.

Assessments

Practical components– 30%

Written components – 70%

Component 1

Component 2

Component 3

KS5 (Years 12 & 13)

Award: A-Level

Awarding Body: AQA

Specification Code: 7262

Specification Website: Drama and Theatre Studies 

Institution: Westside/Bayside

This course approaches Drama from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. Candidates will be expected to explore Drama and Theatre in a workshop setting. They should also be prepared to share their work with each other on a regular basis and to perform to an audience on occasions. Over the two-year course, students will explore technical aspects of Drama, learn about performance styles and genres, analyse live performances and study set plays. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own performance works.

Are you suitable for this course?

This course is suitable for any student wishing to further their studies in Drama. It builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding that are covered in the GCSE Drama course; however, entry will not be restricted to those students who have attained this qualification. For those students who wish to study Drama or Theatre at degree level, this course will provide them with a solid grounding in theoretical and practical aspects of these disciplines. You are also suitable for this course is you have an avid interest in performing and the theatre which you are keen to pursue further.

What qualifications are needed to study this subject?

You must have attained a minimum of a grade 4 for GCSE English Language to study Drama and Theatre Studies at A Level. While it is also highly recommended for students to have passed GCSE Drama with at least a grade 4, it is not a requirement for entry into the course. Much of the theory and practical work covered at GCSE forms the basis of the content of AS and A Level; therefore, students who do not have this qualification will need to work very hard to catch up on their skills, knowledge and understanding. 

What will be expected from you on this course?

Group work will be balanced with individual study on this course. Consequently, students should be committed to their studies and have an excellent attendance record, particularly because their peers will be reliant upon them. You will be expected to be responsible, disciplined and organised in your approach.

What will you get out of this course?

Quite apart from the qualification that can be obtained at the end of this course, A Level Drama and Theatre Studies will develop key social skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, motivation, leadership and organisation that will be vital in any career in which teamwork is important. Individual self-esteem will also be developed, as the candidates will have numerous opportunities to perform in front of an audience. 

Year 12

Year 13

Assessment

Component 1: Drama and Theatre

Candidates study 2 different set plays as well as learning how to respond to live theatre. This component will develop their analytical skills and technical understanding of the art form. They are required to study a range of different styles of theatre and will learn how performers, directors and designers communicate meaning to an audience through detailed consideration of how aspects of the presentation contribute to the total effect of the production seen. The written exam is divided into 3 sections; the first two are each focused on one of the set texts. The third section will involve a question in which candidates need to discuss a play that they have watched in performance.  


Component 2: Creating Original Drama 

Candidates are required to work in groups to produce of piece of theatre that is influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner. Candidates are responsible for all aspects of the presented extract, which should realise clear dramatic intentions for the audience. They will keep a working notebook during the process which will account for two thirds of the marks for this component.

Component 3: Making Theatre 

In this unit, candidates will explore three extracts from three different published plays from a practical perspective. They will write a reflective report analysing and evaluating their interpretation of all three extracts. Only the third extract will be prepared for a performance which will be marked by the examination board. This extract requires candidates to apply the methodology of a prescribe practitioner to their work.

GCSE DRAMA
A LEVEL DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES