Drama

The Drama Curriculum is based on strands from the English National Curriculum.

Our broad and balanced drama curriculum has been designed around the three core areas of drama; creating, performance and appreciation/evaluation. This curriculum recognises the role of drama in young people’s lives and has been designed to inspire, challenge and motivate every student, no matter what their level of ability. The aim of the curriculum is to foster a love of the subject giving every learner an opportunity to experience the world of the theatre and everything that encompasses it.

Drama at KS3 focuses on building students’ confidence in public speaking, working with their peers and being able to think creatively. Students take part in group work, whole class drama and also learn how to work independently. They create naturalistic and non-naturalistic drama using a variety of techniques through devised and scripted work which will build the foundations for what is required at GCSE. Students consider a variety of stimuli ranging from news stories, historical events and modern plays. The practical nature of the subject develops creativity, communication and confidence and enables the students to think on their feet.

Our curriculum covers:

Drama is on the curriculum of study at the MHS during KS3 and then is an option for GCSE.

Year 7:

  • Topic 1 - Darkwood Manor
  • Topic 2 - Chicken (Devised-Linked to AQA Component 2)

Year 8:

  • Topic 1 - Blood Brothers (Linked to AQA Component 2 and 1)
  • Topic 2 - Curious Incident (Linked to AQA component 2)

Year 9:

  • Topic 1 Mini GCSE Scripted (Linked to AQA component 3)
  • Topic 2 Mini GCSE Devising project (Linked to AQA component 2)

 

KS4 Drama (Option Choice)

Course Title: OCR GCSE Drama

Assessment: 60% Coursework – 40% Written Exam

Year 10:

  • Baseline Monologue
  • Set text and Live Theatre Review (Component 1)
  • Devising Unit (Component 2)

Year 11:

  • Devising Logs (Component 2)
  • Scripted Unit x2 extracts (Component 3)
  • Live Theatre evaluation mock (Component 1)
  • Written Exam (May)

Drama is not only for you if you are interested in performance and wish to pursue a career in an Arts-related fields, it also enables you to develop the confidence and communication skills necessary to be successful in your future social and working life. The skills gained from drama are valued by employers.

Timetabling

KS3 - 1 hour and 40 minute lesson, per week for approx. 12 weeks of the year – in rotation with Art and Computer Science

KS4 - 1 double lesson (1 hour and 40 minutes) and 1 single lesson (50 minutes) per week

Extra-curricular opportunities

As a creative subject, we aim to broaden and enhance student’s holistic development through exposure to a wide range of drama styles and scripted pieces they might not otherwise experience. Cultural capital is in abundance within Drama through the rich extra-curricular opportunities that are offered. Students are offered the opportunity to attend workshops with visiting artists, theatre trips, whole school productions, class sharing, options evening, open evening, and transition performances.  We feel that it is these experiences that not only enthuse and excite students to study drama but provide a platform for our students to learn the qualities they need to flourish in our society such as leadership/public speaking/independent thinking/public performance/self-peer reflection/team work/respect.

Collaboration with the Art and Music departments take place throughout the year, showcasing pupils in all disciplines and all year groups working together, a highlight being our annual musical production.  Past performances have included ‘Oliver’, ‘Grease’, ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Fame’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and most recently, ‘The Wizard of Oz’.