Drama and Theatre Studies

With the ever-increasing understanding of learning through action, pupils gain a great deal in terms of both specificskills and becoming well-rounded individuals.

Pupils are actively encouraged to participate in any drama productions at school. The 2006 production was Sherlock Holmes and the Emerald of Alcazar. While in 2007 GCSE pupils performed in a cabaret evening of dramatic extracts, with Year 9 performing a comedy one-act play, Nelson's Driving Test.

In 2008 we provided an evening of drama with a moderated GCSE performance of Blood Brothers improvised brama scenes, and Year 9 produced a comedy sketch Nursery Crimes.

We appreciate that students have a variety of reasons for choosing drama as an option and, as long as they are prepared to work hard, we welcome all abilities and personalities. A key feature of the course is group work, and in particular we emphasise the importance of cooperation and concentration as skills to be developed and enhanced.

We may visit productions as part of the GCSE course or to enrich the experience of any year group.

Years 7, 8 and 9

Drama is integrated into English lessons across Years 7, 8 and 9 and, thereafter, is available separately as a GCSE option.

Years 10 and 11 - GCSE

The GCSE course of study is offered through AQA.  The course will enable pupils to:
Increase self and group awareness
Develop imaginative, creative and social skills
Increase their confidence in communication skills and encourage self-discipline
Develop an understanding and response to a range of texts and  theatre experiences, including an appreciation of social, historical and cultural contexts.

Assessment

Part One Examination: Externally assessed written paper: two hours (40 per cent of the total marks).

Candidates are required to answer any two questions from the areas of study below:
Section A:    Review of a play studied from a performance perspective.
Section B:    Review of a live professional or non-professional theatre seen by the candidate.

Part Two Examination: Practical component: (60 per  cent of the total marks).

Option 1:  Scripted Performance

This section will consist of work prepared as if for presentation to an audience and taken from a published text and will last between 15/20 minutes. It will be internally assessed in three parts:
a)  Research
b)  rehearsal and evaluation
b)  performance (minimum group size of three).

Option 2:  Devised work for performance to an audience

In this section candidates must prepare and perform as if for presentation to an audience a piece of devised work based on a specific stimulus or theme. This is assessed in three parts, as in option one.