Performing Arts

“Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.”

– Alfred Hitchcock

Key Stage 3 Overview

In Drama you will study a wide range of genres and styles of performance. You will have the opportunity to explore the work of different playwrights and a range of texts which have been produced over time. Additionally, you will learn about controversial issues that spark debate and differences in opinions. You will also experience content that will develop life skills such as; communication skills, confidence, teamwork and decision making.  You will learn key performance skills that will help you in a variety of situations, for example interviews and presentations. Additionally, all units in KS3 link to the two practical components at GCSE level.

Key Skills

In Drama you will learn stage discipline; how to create a character and different ways of showing how your character feels through your vocal and physical expression. You will then be able to apply these skills to everyday life in the future.

KS3 Topics

Year 7

1. An introduction to key drama skills.
2. A full class performance where students devise the journey that an evacuee might have taken during WW2.
3. Performing extracts from a play – “Our day out” by Willy Russell

Year 8

1. Developing performance skills through working with a range of styles, genres and mini scripts
2. An investigation in why a young man is found on some wasteland; focuses on devising from stimulus and how to develop roles.
3. Using the true story of the hanging of  Derek Bentley to demonstrate empathy and devise both short scenes and as full class. 

Year 9

1. Physical Theatre. Students explore some of the practitioners that they may come across at GCSE through a series of different tasks.
2. Students developing their acting skills by studying scripts from Teechers and DNA.
3. Students explore another GCSE practitioner (Brecht) and study the play ‘Derek’ to put their learning into context.
4. Students studying the play ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell and bring together their learning from across the year.

Key Stage 4 Overview

At KS4 Year 11 students are following the GCSE course. The course is divided into three different units.

Component 1 is the written exam. For the written exam you will study a set text chosen from one of the six texts selected by the exam board. You will learn to analyse the play including the characters. Additionally, you will review a piece of live theatre. 

Component 2 is a practical element based on your own creation in Drama. You will be given a stimuli and you will apply your Drama skills in order to create a performance.

Component 3 is another practical element, however this is based on a script. You will perform a script to a visiting examiner. 

Students in Year 10 are studying for the Drama BTEC. The course has three components.

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts.

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques.

Component 3: Responding to a Brief (externally assessed). No written exam. 120 guided learning hours and 150 total qualification hours. Students study various repertoire throughout the course and apply their knowledge both theoretically and practically. 

Exam board

We follow the AQA syllabus – you can find out more here.

Revision materials

Scripts that students take home with them to learn lines.

Blood Brothers book and revision book. Handed to KS4 students when necessary.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zxv7sg8