Drama - 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, Alice in Wonderland
Unit 2: The History of Pantomime
Unit 3: Introduction to William Shakespeare
Unit 4: Our Day Out by Willy Russell
Unit 5: Melodrama

Year 8

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

Year 9 Drama

Unit 1: Missing Dan Nolan
Unit 2: Devising: Craig and Bentley
Unit 3: Hamlet and Stage Combat
Unit 4: Noughts and Crosses
Unit 5: 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
Missing Dan Nolan by Mark Wheeller
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

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

YEAR 10 and 11

Exam Board and Syllabus Code

AQA GCSE Drama - 8261

Content

GCSE Drama develops and broadens pupils’ understanding and approach to theatre. They explore a range of genres and techniques and apply these to both scripted and devised work. There is also an emphasis on their understanding of theatre which is assessed in their written exam.

Year 10 Drama

Exploring Naturalism through Stanislavski
Exploring Brecht through devising
Completion of devising logbook
Practical Introduction to Set Text – “Blood Brothers”
Theatre roles and terminology – group production project
Text in Practice – Blue Remembered Hills

Year 11 Drama

Live theatre visits and analysis
Texts in Practice – Shakespearean Texts
Devising from a stimulus
Completion of Devising log
Pre public examinations

This specification will help pupils to develop their:

Knowledge and understanding of style, genre and social context
Performance techniques – interpretation, improvisation, voice, physicality, stage relationships with others
Roles and responsibilities within the theatre industry
Design skills – interpretation, visual and design impacts and the use of scenic devices
Technical abilities – lighting, sound, technology and appropriate equipment
Practical skills – from making masks and puppets to make-up
Collaboration and communication skills
Enquiring and reflective minds
Thinking analytically and evaluating effectively

Assessment

The subject content is divided into three components:

Understanding Drama 40% Assessed through a written exam lasting 1 hour and 45mins (80 marks)
Devising Drama 40% Assessed through the process of devising theatre and devising log (60 marks) and its performance (20 marks)
Texts in Practice 40% Assessed through the performance of up to two extracts from one play (40marks)

Home Learning

It is important to note that there is an expectation that pupils attend theatre trips (when available) and rehearse in their own time to pass the GCSE Drama course.

Completion of devising log, requiring research into different plays, styles and genres. ? Practice questions for all sections of the exam
Character profiles
Script writing
Extra rehearsals
Performances Access to TEAMS for homework is essential so the pupils must know their login details

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

www.aqa.org.uk (specification, past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports)
www.bitesize.com
www.nationaltheatre.com

Reading List

Blood Brothers by Willie Russell
Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter
DNA by Dennis Kelly
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
The Complete Stanislavski Toolkit by Konstantin Stanislavski
Tackling Text (and subtext): A Step by Step Guide for Actors by Barbara Houseman

Assessment Schedule

Assessment Schedule - Year 10

Assessment Schedule - Year 11

Learning Journey

KS3 & 4 Drama Learning Journey

Drama Knowledge OrganiserYear 10 - Blood Brothers Knowledge Organisers

GCSE Drama Knowledge Organiser