The Drama department plays a vibrant role in college life. Students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, join a number of bands and take part in the popular shows put on in the winter or summer terms in addition to music and drama curriculum lessons.
| Head of Performing Arts | Mr J. Kilner |
Year 7 topics studied:
- Students start the autumn term exploring the topic of Storytelling. They will learn and develop core techniques such as narration and still image as well as what it means to perform for an audience whilst using their vocal skills. Students are assessed on their application of skills and techniques as well as their ability to analyse their own work.
- In the second half of the autumn term, students will continue to develop their storytelling techniques with an original story entitled The Holiday that Went Wrong. Students will continue to develop their still image and vocal skills and will begin to explore thought-tracking and physicality to show a clear character. Students are assessed on their application of skills and techniques in performance.
- To link with their study of Romeo and Juliet in English, at the start of the spring term, students will engage in Shakespearean monologues and soliloquies taken from the play. Students will be assessed on their ability to apply their characterisation skills to a piece of text as well as their ability to analyse their own performance.
- Students will move on to exploring the play Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations whilst considering how they could apply previously taught skills and techniques. They will explore how power can be shown on stage with the introduction of levels. Students are assessed on their own, alternative ending to the play, whilst considering power, style, genre and staging in performance.
- The theatre of Ancient Greece is explored through the mythological story of Pandora’s Box at the start of the summer term. Students will build an understanding of how and why performances took place whilst learning about Greek choral speaking techniques. The assessment for this topic takes place in the second half of the summer term and will include performance and application of techniques as well as an analysis their own performance work.
- Students finish the year looking at improvisation and how the skills used can benefit both inside and outside of the Drama classroom.
Year 8 topics studied:
- Exploring the build-up of tension, students will be taken on a journey through Darkwood Manor – a haunted house with a disturbing past, present and future. Students will build on their understanding of core techniques as well as being introduced to how the stage space can be used through proxemics. The assessment will be an end of topic performance, showcasing the understanding of techniques, as well as an analysis of the work of others.
- Students will move on to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, whilst re-examining the idea of solo performance through monologue or soliloquy. Students will be assessed on their ability to apply their characterisation skills to a piece of text
- The play text for Year 8 is Noughts & Crosses. Students will explore the text throughout the spring term whilst considering both the acting and performance side of the text as well as the design elements. Students will be assessed on their performance alongside an analysis of the work of others.
- The final assessed topic is Devising. Students are given freedom to create their own pieces based on a stimulus. They are assessed on their final piece and an analysis of the work of others.
- Year 8 will end with a short topic – Soap Opera – where students will explore the idea of over-the-top emotions. Students will have the opportunity to create their own dramatic storyline based in the world of soap operas.
Year 9 topics studied:
- The year is 2121. Students will explore the world of the future whilst building a family unit (characterisation) and making their way through a story. Students will be writing and performing their own monologues, using their knowledge and understanding from previous years. Assessment is based on their ability to demonstrate a clear character and storyline whilst performing as well as a self-analysis of their work.
- Students will move on to exploring and understanding what Marking the Moment, flashback and multi-role are whilst exploring sections of the play Students will be assessed on their ability to use key theatrical techniques.
- Students are given freedom to create, rehearse and perform their own pieces based on a stimulus. They are assessed on their final piece and a peer-analysis of work they have seen.
- The play text for Year 9 is Blood Brothers by Willy Russel. Students will explore this text over two half terms resulting in small group, scripted performance. Elements of study will include; social class, superstition, inequality and fate.
- Students will finish KS3 looking at Morning news programmes (BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, This Morning etc.) and will have the opportunity to create a whole class morning show split in to several segments.
What is in the course?
Examination Board/Course Code: AQA/8261
GCSE Drama is a creative and challenging course. You will have opportunities to explore a range of performance styles and skills, as well watch and create original pieces of theatre. Students develop an awareness of how good theatre is made and build the ability to critically evaluate their work and the work of others. This is done by creating original pieces of theatre and writing about dramatic processes.
Why consider this course?
- Have a passion and commitment to Drama?
- Want to develop your skills in design and technical theatre?
- Thrive working in groups to achieve a common goal?
- Enjoy watching performances in the theatre?
- Want to develop your confidence and skills which benefit every work force (presentation, cooperation, communication)?
- Benefit from having a practical approach to learning?
Career Links:
Theatre/Film/TV, Journalism/Media, Business, Law, Management, Teaching, Advertising/Marketing, Recruitment, Social/Youth Work
Drama Club
Drama club runs once a week and is open to all of KS3 and to Year 10. It is designed to provide the opportunity for students to ‘let off some steam’ in a creative, practical environment through games, short devised scenes, improvisation and solo performances. Students from Drama club are given the choice to perform in year group assemblies throughout the year.
The School Production
There is a school production every year with rehearsals taking place one day a week after school. The cast is usually made up of KS3 and Year 10 students with Year 11 GCSE Drama students supporting as assistant directors. Casting is always done on merit following an audition process and therefore we often have KS3 students take on lead roles in many productions. Alongside the actors in the school production, there are roles available for students to contribute back stage. We run a Props Club for the show, where set and props are made, painted and assembled ready for the final performance.
Theatre Visits
It is the aim of the Drama department to ensure that all students in KS3 have been invited to see live theatre before they complete Year 9. This may take the form of trips to the theatre or getting theatre companies in to perform. In the past, we have been part of the Old Vic School’s Club which also provided students with the opportunity to receive workshops from industry professionals before seeing a performance. We have also recently been accepted to The Globe School’s programme which allows us to visit the Globe once a year for free. As a department, we are always on the look out to provide the very best theatre opportunities to our students.
Winter Concert
In tandem with the peripatetic instrument teachers, we run an annual winter concert which combines the musical talent of the lower school with dramatic performance work.
Oliver the Musical – presented by the Performing Arts Department
We also look after the Peripatetic instrument lessons. Students are able to learn Piano, Drums or Guitar in a half an hour lesson once a week. Lessons cost £10 per half an hour. If you are interested in taking part, please contact the college for more information.