Drama

Curriculum Intent

Drama Curriculum Intent

Once in KS5 students are expected to have a variety of skills such as storytelling through a variety of techniques, basic communication skills, such as vocal clarity and projection to tell these stories to an audience and characterisation skills. These skills are being developed in conjunction with each other, both Devising and Play Texts. The pupils are expected to be able to embed practitioners' techniques and styles into their own performances, developing a sense of sophistication and depth to their pieces.

Another skill that is cemented is that of analysis and evaluation. By KS5, pupils must develop a sense of self-awareness in order to analyse and evaluate their own successes and areas of development. This is deeply embedded and pupils now push it further by ensuring analysis and evaluation is written about with sophistication and Drama terminology. Making perceptive links between the skills used and the success of impacting an audience.

Drama is the most universal tool of storytelling and communicating.

In every culture and society dramatic expression has been prevalent. Drama at Blenheim enables you to gain a clear understanding of a range of drama and theatre experiences. You will focus on what it is like to look at different issues, points of view and perspectives. Students will focus on a range of drama skills, styles and techniques to create their own imaginative and creative theatre.

Exploring drama through characters, issues and situation, focusing on scripted and improvised work and discovering a variety of dramatic genres, Drama at Blenheim ensures that students have a well-rounded and exciting curriculum. Performance and evaluation are at the root of Drama at Blenheim. Studying drama gives you an increased confidence in communication skills.

A level Drama

Course details

Devising: Students will devise an original performance piece, using one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. There are two parts to the assessment, a portfolio in addition to the devised performance.

Text in performance: Students produce a group performance of one key extract from a performance text, in addition to a monologue or duologue performance from one key extract from a different performance text.

Theatre Makers in Practice: This written exam involves students answering one extended response question requiring them to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen. Students also answer two extended response questions based on an unseen extract from the performance text they have studied.

Link to course specification

Assessment

Exam Board - Pearson

Performance and portfolio

Devising performance and written log

40% of the

qualification

Performance

Text in performance

20% of the

qualification

Exam (2.5 hrs)

Theatre Makers in Practice

40% of the

qualification

Enrichment opportunities

Students experience a variety of theatre trips. They have the opportunity to partake in workshops with professional actors and directors. Many of our sixth form students become Drama Ambassadors which means they develop their directing and acting skills by helping to deliver Drama lessons throughout the school.

Student Voice

“Through working as a Drama Ambassador I have really improved my confidence and I now feel that I have the knowledge and experience to pursue a career as a Drama teacher”

“Drama has really improved my essay writing skills for all of my subjects. It has aided my analytical skills and my grades across all my subjects have improved.”

Progression

Drama and Theatre Studies is studied at university and the A level is an excellent preparation for a degree in Drama and Theatre either at university or Drama School. The skills developed in the subject are so relevant to life and link in with so many different and professional areas. Some careers that studying Drama can lead to are theatre/film director, theatre/film producer, writer, critic, arts administrator, stage manager, sound technician, actor, community arts worker, public relations officer, broadcast presenter, higher education lecturer, secondary school teacher, drama therapist, community workshop leader, youth worker, sales, management, presenter to name a few.