The Drama department is an engaging and vibrant area of the school. It boasts a new drama studio and rehearsal room equipped with professional lighting, sound and projection equipment to facilitate a range of teaching strategies and approaches to performance.

We aim to develop both a sense of depth and breadth in our teaching where, as one of the oldest subjects known to academia, we look to promote drama as an exciting and stimulating subject to study. It is a subject that stretches intellectual ability, challenges ways of seeing the world and increases the capacity to communicate ideas.

The Curriculum

Key Stage 3

Year 7
Introduction to Drama
Pantomime
Commedia dell’Arte
African Storytelling

Year 8
The Disco – themes of personal responsibility
Melodrama
Murder Enquiry
Persuasion  links to media

Year 9
Genres
Physical theatre and art of storytelling
London Life themed exploration
Mask work

Edexcel GCSE Drama

Year 10
Improvisation Projects
Leather Jackets, Bikes and Birds
Theatre In Education (professionally led workshop)
Introducing Devised Drama
Text into Performance (varied)
Blood Brothers – Set text exploration – Portfolio Tasks

Year 11
Devised Drama Mock Exam
The Mother - Improvisation Project – Portfolio Tasks
Portfolio Tasks
Preparation for Devised Drama Exam

AQA A-Level Drama

AS
Response to live theatre seen during the course
Study of set text – Antigone
Practical performance of an extract from a published play, links to chosen practitioner

A2
Study of set text – The Servant of Two Masters
Exploration of stage realisation of set text -The Trial.
Group performance of devised drama, including developmental work and supporting notes.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Large-scale school production in collaboration with music department for 11-18yrs. Opportunities for acting, singing, dancing, set design, costumes, make-up, stage management, sound and lighting design.

Facilitation and active support for students own performance interests/needs – rehearsal rooms are always busy.

As part of the Theatre Studies course we arrange trips for the students to see a range of productions of varying styles throughout the year.

Staffing

Miss J Howson
- (Head of Drama)

Mrs S Allen

Mrs A Cassidy