Drama
Why do we teach Drama?
To think of the importance of Drama, just imagine a world without stories, creativity, collaboration and community. It is our intent to instil a love and understanding of drama through knowledge and of the elements of drama, which supports students to focus on the practical and creative applications through performance and workshops. Drama activates, stimulates and ignites the entirety of oneself; it is the understanding of telling stories which speak to people from all backgrounds; it is the art of expression, building confidence and learning how to put yourself in the shoes of others.
Drama is taught not because everyone has to excel in it, not because everyone has to become an actor but so that it can help you build your confidence and help you understand to power which this can have in all aspects of your life. We want all young people to feel safe, to feel valued, to have confidence and pride in their abilities; our drama curriculum gives every individual an opportunity to shine and contribute positively to our school and the community. Drama can help you interact with other people in a collaborative way, build empathy and create socially minded young people who will lead the way in shaping the next generation.
The Drama department aims to deliver a cohesive and well-rounded programme which puts our students’ personal development at the centre of our curriculum. Our passionate and dedicated teaching staff offer students the very best academic support and extra-curricular opportunities which include concerts, whole-school productions and visits to live performances.
Our emphasis is very much on practical-based learning underpinned with a sound theoretical and contextual understanding. We believe this helps students to not only learn their subjects more effectively but also to grow in confidence while acquiring valuable life skills.
Our drama studio is fully equipped with technical facilities including a fixed truss, LED lighting and state of the art sound equipment. We have been fortunate enough to develop the performance space during the summer of 2018, to match our wide variety of performance provisions and events.
Key Stage 3
The Key Stage 3 Drama programme at Hele's has been designed as a challenging, vibrant and progressive programme of study which aims to enable each student with a range of theatrical and transferable skills. The dynamic 2-year programme provides each student with an understanding of theatrical devices, genres and styles. Students will be able to disseminate play texts, craft devised performances, have an awareness of theatre conventions and question social concerns in a critical manner. It is at the core of our values that we provide each student with a range of skills to support them in becoming the best they can be. Amongst these are communication skills, self-confidence, empathy and the ability to work creatively with other people.
YEAR 7
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Term
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Scheme of Learning
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Main Objectives
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Autumn 1
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Melodrama
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Comedy and character
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Autumn 2
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Scary Play “Judith Johnson”
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Page to stage
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Spring 1
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Evacuees
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Social commentary
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Spring 2
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Shakespeare
*A Midsummer Night’s Dream*
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Understanding structures and plot
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Summer 1
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We lost Elijah
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Theatre conventions
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Summer 2
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Greek Theatre
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Physical Theatre
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YEAR 8
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Term
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Scheme of Learning
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Main Objectives
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Autumn 1
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Blood Brothers
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Page to Stage
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Autumn 2
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Commedia dell’Arte
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Comedy and character
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Spring 1
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Gizmo
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Physical Theatre
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Spring 2
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Let him have It
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Social commentary
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Summer 1
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Shakespeare
*Macbeth*
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Understanding structures and plot
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Summer 2
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Adam Burnards “Buckets”
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Drama conventions
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Key Stage 4
What is GCSE Drama all about?
Drama is about exploring, devising, creating, designing and working in a practical manner. The course enables students to analyse live theatre, learn how to become an actor, craft and create invocative and current performances and design costume, set, lighting choices for set texts.
Will I enjoy this course?
You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that is both practical and
creative. You will excel in the course if you enjoy working in a practical manner and are interested in exploring current issues. If you want to become a director, designer, performer or want to develop your confidence, then Drama is the right course for you.
What about the examinations?
- 40% Component 1: Devising theatre for a live audience.
You will create your own current performance, which will explore a variety of drama and theatre conventions.
- 20% Component 2: Text performance.
You will perform 2 extracts in a group, monologue, duologue to a live audience
- 40% Component 3: Textual analysis. (1-hour 30mins summer written exam)
You will explore Headlong theatre company’s adaptation of 1984. You will answer 5 questions based on performance, design and direction
You will watch a piece of live theatre and answer 2 questions analysing and evaluating the impact that the work had on you as an audience member.
Is there any coursework?
The non-exam assessment of the GCSE Drama course takes place solely within
Component 1, where you will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence that
documents the development of your devised play. This can take the form of a
continuous piece of writing or as a filmed presentation. The portfolio of evidence should be between 2,000 words or 10 minutes if opting to film your coursework.
What about my results?
You can achieve grades 9 to 1 in GCSE Drama.
What other skills might I develop?
Empathy is an important life skill. When you act in Drama you put yourself in to another person’s shoes and try to identify with them and their situation. This will really test your empathy, especially when portraying a character who is experiencing things you cannot personally relate to. This is an invaluable skill that will open your mind, improve the way you interact with people and is especially useful if you are considering a career in caring, teaching or social work.
Analysing Drama productions allows you to develop your critical thinking skills. This is useful for many jobs and is great if you are planning on studying English Literature, Media Studies or Film Studies at degree level. Also, it allows you to think more critically about the film, television and theatre that we all consume daily.
You will gain in confidence. This is an important skill and Drama gives you the opportunity to push yourself to perform. You will be able to grow in confidence, develop your performance skills and overcome the fear of making mistakes in a fun, creative and supportive environment.
Key Stage 5
Course Overview:
Year 12
You will explore with the practices and principles of Splendid Theatre Company and apply thier techniques to Steven Berkoff’s “Metamorphosis.” You will devise as a theatre company a performance for a selected audience and be examined on the developmental process and the final performance. There will be a performance to a Live audience based on a complete play text and the opportunity to perform either a monologue or duologue which are both teacher directed. Throughout year 12 we will also study Sophie Treadwell’s “The Machinal” a feminist play text written within the German expressionist era, exploring the text form a perspective of a performer, director and designer.
Year 13
You will tour as a theatre company to our feeder primaries in our Arts council initiative “Transition” leading large workshops and Drama activities to over 500 students over the course of a week. You will explore Georg Buchner’s “Woyzeck” from the perspective of Bertolt Brecht, designing a directorial adaptation for a 21st century audience. You will see numerous pieces of Live theatre throughout the course, however you will write about one within your final written examination, detailing its theatrical elements and how they shaped the audience’s experiences.
- Component 1: Devised (40%, internally moderated)
- Component 2: Performance of a complete play text, monologues and duologues (20%, externally moderated)
- Component 3: Written examination based upon Woyzeck, The Machinal and a Live theatre production (40% written examination)
Entry Requirements:
GCSE Drama Grade C, however with experience, passion and a desire to learn more about the Arts, you can take Drama without a GCSE in Drama.
Career Paths and Degree courses:
Drama schools, Drama degree courses in performance, film, media, direction, writing for film and performance, technical theatre, costume making, set and stage design. Drama is also highly valued due to the skill-set which students develop throughout the 2 years of study. English, Business, Law, marketing, health care, social work, events management are just some of the Degree courses which showcase a desire to have an A level in Drama and Theatre.
