Drama

What will be taught? 

In the first year the pupils will study two Units.  In Unit 1, pupils will explore ideas and issues through drama and will then use drama to present their responses into their own pieces of meaningful theatre.  Ideas and issues explored will include those from different periods and cultures as well as from the pupils’ own experiences.  The emphasis in Unit 2 is on pupils understanding the ways in which playwrights record their ideas in a script and how performers, directors and designers use drama to interpret these ideas in performance.  For this purpose they will explore a complete play script.  They will also be taken to see at least one live performance and be asked to evaluate this on several levels.

Unit 1 will introduce pupils to ‘dramatic tools’ such as ‘thought-tracking’, ‘still images’, ‘narrating’, ‘marking the moment’ and many more, and will involve reference to all aspects of the drama medium (voice, movement, set and props, lighting, sound, costume etc.)  They will be introduced to the many elements of drama such as climax and anti-climax, rhythm and pace, form and structure, characterisation and conventions.  All of the above will be covered with more width and depth in Unit 2.  The texts used to stimulate ideas for Unit 1 will be varied ranging from short plays, film and television scripts to artefacts and music.  In Unit 2, the text will be a more substantial play script and will more likely be a recognised ‘classic’.

In the second year, the pupils will concentrate on producing a performance for the public.  Most will be asked to do Acting for their assessment although pupils may also be assessed on ‘performance support’ (lighting, sound, costume design, stage design – only one pupil per category).  This will depend on the strengths and interests of individuals, group numbers and also the extracts of drama chosen.

 

How will it be taught?

Drama will be taught in mixed ability classes.  There will be four periods a week in (two double periods).  There will also be some rehearsals outside of school hours when preparing for the second year’s production, workshops by visiting practitioners and also at least one trip to the theatre.  The coursework will involve four workshops each of four hours.

 

How will it be examined?

There will be no written exams. During the first year, pupils will be asked to produce two portfolios of their work (each about 3,000 words long).  These, along with their practical skills during some lessons, will be assessed by the teacher and then externally moderated.  This will be 60% of the final grade.  In the second year the pupils will be visited by an examiner who will watch and assess their play (40% of the final grade).