Department Head: Mr R Mason

Department Members:

Mr C Innes, Mrs E Parker-Clark, Mrs K Sutton, Mrs K Trenbirth, Mr G Evers, Mr J Hogben, Miss A Shewan, Mr P Armstrong

 The Drama Department Aims

Our aim is to generate self-confidence and develop the communication skills of pupils by encouraging them to work together.

The department also aims to encourage and develop:

• Creativity & sensitivity
• An understanding of values and cultural change
• Physical, perceptual and communication skills
• Knowledge and understanding of drama forms
• Opportunities for leadership, working as part of a team and creating a performance
• Appraisal skills of evaluation and appreciation
• Appreciation of text in a working context
• A lasting enjoyment of drama

The department also seeks to encourage professional artists to perform for and work with students and staff as well as offering extensive extra-curricular activities.

The department also runs drama clubs for both key stages and there is an annual school play (which can be used by KS4 students as a coursework assesment).

Drama at Key Stage 3

All pupils receive an hour's lesson of Drama per week (on average).

In Year 7, pupils are taught by tutor groups, in Year 8 they are taught in mixed groups with one top set according to ability in the creative arts. In Year 9 pupils are taught in slightly mixed house groups.

In KS3, pupils are taught a number of basic skills at the beginning of Year7 and these are revisited on a spiral curriculum throughout KS3. More complex skills are introduced as pupils progress through the key stage.

Pupils are also introduces to a wide variety of topics and scripts across the key stage and are expected to work in a number of ways. This includes role-plays, performance, collaboration, scripted work and improvisation. The key stage course prepares pupils for the course offered as an option at KS4.

Drama at Key Stage 4

GCSE Drama is optional at KS4 and enjoys a healthy uptake and a strong track record of results. It is a prefect subject for those wishing to balance an 'over academic' curriculum and, of course, is most suitable for those pupils seeking a career in the creative arts or wishing to study them further.

GCSE Drama involves preformance, working with others, watching live theatre and, of course, there is some writing too! GCSE Drama is hard work (like all qualifications) and a great commitment is required, however it is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding GCSE's.