Curriculum Team Leader:
Ms Emma Hitchon (e.hitchon@tgs.starmat.uk)
Drama stimulates and inspires young people’s creativity and curiosity as well as building emotional intelligence. Students use their imagination to explore worlds (present, past and future) and are encouraged to see through another’s eyes and walk in another’s shoes developing empathy. The collaborative nature of Drama helps students to learn how to relate positively to others. Our Drama curriculum aims to build self-confidence, resilience and self-esteem alongside the ability to co-operate effectively with others – all vital skills and qualities for life.
Curriculum Content
Drama Curriculum (2023-2024) Drama Key Stage 3
All students at Key Stage 3 receive one drama lesson of one hour per week taught by specialist Drama teachers in our studio spaces. Students study a broad foundation of theatrical history and culture. This includes the study of key playwrights, practitioners, dramatic conventions, theatrical genres and performance styles as well as technical skills and theatre design. Students are assessed on their ability to create, present and evaluate work as well as their understanding of key concepts and knowledge.
Drama GCSE
Drama is a popular option at Key Stage 4. Students follow the AQA GCSE specification. GCSE students receive 5 lessons of drama per fortnight. During the course students develop acting, directing, design and devising skills, building on the foundations of KS3. Students study and explore complete play texts as well as learning how to devise their own drama. Students are assessed through three components. Component 1 is a written examination where students answer questions on a set text and on a live theatre performance. Component 2 is a devising unit where students perform (or design for) a piece of theatre they have devised themselves and also complete a substantial devising log portfolio. Component 3 is a practical examination where students study a play text and perform (or design for) two extracts from the play.
Drama and Theatre Studies A-Level
Drama and Theatre Studies is offered post-16 following the AQA specification. A-Level students receive 8 hours of timetabled tuition per fortnight. Students study a range of play texts and develop their acting and design skills as well as learning how to direct. The course is assessed through three components. Component 1 is a written examination where students answer essay questions on two set texts and on a live theatre production. Component 2 is a devising assessment where students create and perform their own piece of theatre as a theatre company. Component 3 is a practical scripted exam and students perform extracts from a play as well as completing a portfolio describing how they rehearsed and interpreted the scripts. For the practical units students can be assessed as a performer, designer or director.
Drama is taught in two dedicated large studio classrooms equipped with simple stage lighting. Classes, rehearsals and productions also take place in the Main Hall, which has a stage, stage lighting and sound facilities. There is a small costume and prop store within the department.
Extra-curricular: The Drama Department runs a range of lunchtime drama clubs. We also stage whole school productions, including Musical Productions in collaboration with the Music Department. Theatre visits are organised so that students can experience live professional theatre performances.