Drama & Performing Arts - Curriculum Page

Drama and the Performing Arts are central to providing a wide and diverse range of excellent opportunities, inside and outside the classroom, that enable our young people to develop exceptionally well both academically and personally.

Through our ambitious curriculum pupils will gain subject specific knowledge alongside skills in Drama and Performing Arts. With rich connections across subject areas, they will interleave knowledge, skills and understanding whilst developing their “soft” skills such as teamwork, confidence, communication, resilience, creativity and problem solving.

All pupils will have the opportunity to participate in Drama at KS3 with the aim that they will build knowledge and skills fundamental to success at KS4, 5 and beyond. They will be provided with the opportunity to engage in a range of extra-curricular clubs, workshops, trips and performance opportunities.

The comprehensive vision for Drama and the Performing Arts is to engage pupils in the arts, develop their wider understanding of the world and culture.

Subject Leader: Mrs Raby

If you have any queries or concerns, please email a-raby@garthhillcollege.com

YEAR 7, 8 and 9

All year 9 pupils at GHC get the opportunity to work towards a Level 1 Bronze Arts Award in their Art, Drama and Music lessons.

Pupils will complete the 4 parts of the Arts Award in their lessons and will build a portfolio of work. Through this they will create and participate in arts activities, experience arts events and explore the work of artists, gain 21^st century skills for success in education and employment, develop leadership skills through practical involvement and investigate arts careers.

Further information about the arts award can be found at the link below:

Arts Award

Content

We cover a wide range of topics in years 7 and 8 introducing pupils to the world of theatre and helping them to develop their knowledge and understanding of performance and creation of theatre through analysis and evaluation.

Year 7

Unit 1: Introduction to Drama
Unit 2: The History of Pantomime
Unit 3: Devising - Evacuees
Unit 4: Introduction to William Shakespeare
Unit 5: Mask Work: Commedia Dell Arte
Unit 6: Our Day Out by Willy Russell

Year 8

Unit 1: Lord of the Flies
Unit 2: Physical Theatre - Darkwood Manor
Unit 3: Musical Theatre
Unit 4: Mask Work: Commedia Dell Arte
Unit 5: Walking with Shadows

Year 9 Drama

Unit 1: Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
Unit 2: Devising: Craig and Bentley
Unit 3: Hamlet and Stage Combat
Unit 4: Devising - Homelessness
Unit 5: Blood Brothers by Willy Russell
Unit 6: Technical Theatre

Assessment

Each topic is assessed by pupils’ ability to devise, perform and respond to their own work and that of theatre professionals. This will include creating work from a given stimulus, recall of key information, analysis and evaluation of professional repertory and own work. Alongside the study and application of a range of styles and theatre history.

Home Learning

Home learning is set regularly in order to help pupils consolidate or extend their learning. From quizzes, research into plays, historical time periods and playwrights to arranging group rehearsals and developing advertising posters for their plays. All home learning is relevant and aimed at encouraging a passion for the theatre and an appreciation of its importance in the cultural world.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Encourage your child to ask teachers for help if there any difficulties
Encourage your child to attend the theatre; plays, concerts, musical theatre and dance performances.
Help and encourage pupils to complete all homework tasks due in
Observe and give constructive feedback to any performance preparations
Encourage and support pupils in attending extra-curricular activities in and out of school to develop skill
Check Teams and planners for work that is due in and any performance dates

Additional Support Available/ Useful Links

Reading List

Our Day Out by Willy Russell
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Walking With Shadows by Ben Meyers
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

Assessment Framework - Key Stage 3

Drama Assessment Framework - Key Stage 3

Assessment Schedule

Assessment Schedule - Year 7

Assessment Schedule - Year 8

Assessment Schedule - Year 9

Learning Journey

KS3 & 4 Drama Learning Journey

Drama Knowledge Organiser

Knowledge Organiser - Year 7

Knowledge Organiser - Year 8

Knowledge Organiser - Year 9

BTEC Performing Arts - Years 10 and 11

Exam Board and Syllabus Code

Edexcel BTEC Level 1 / 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts Qualification (QN) 600 478 59

This course is a single option at Key Stage 4, resulting in a grade of Distinction, Merit or Pass and provides the equivalent points of 1 GCSE at 9-7

Content

BTEC qualifications are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. They have been developed to provide the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to prepare learners for employment and /or to provide career development opportunities for those already in work. On successful completion of a BTEC Tech Award qualification learners may progress into or within employment and/ or continue study in the vocational area or related course of study. Pupils will study Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.

Overview

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts: A written report, research journal and presentation on a range of practitioners
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques on the Performing Arts Written log book and recordings of workshops, skill development and final performance
Component 3: Responding to a brief Devising from a stimulus, written log book and recordings of rehearsal process and final performance

Assessment

Each topic is assessed by pupils’ ability to make, perform and respond to their own work and that of theatre professionals. This will include devising and designing from a given stimulus, recall of key information, analysis and evaluation of professional repertory and the study of theatre history.

Home Learning

Home learning is set regularly in order to help pupils consolidate or extend their learning. From quizzes, research into plays, historical time periods and playwrights to arranging group rehearsals and developing advertising posters for their plays. All home learning is relevant and aimed at encouraging a passion for the theatre and an appreciation of its importance in the cultural world.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Ensure pupils attend all theatre trips and visits (when available)
Help and encourage pupils to complete all log and written work due in, checking TEAMS and pupil planners for work
Observe and give constructive feedback to any performance preparations
Encourage and support pupils in attending extra-curricular activities and out of school lessons to develop skills

Additional Support Available/ Useful Links