Drama

The Team 

• Mrs Clarke – Curriculum Leader 

What is Drama and why is it important? 

Studying drama boosts confidence, empathy, and communication skills, while fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. It prepares students for the "real world" by teaching emotional intelligence, public speaking, teamwork, and resilience under pressure. It is a powerful tool for personal growth, providing a safe space for self-expression. 

What do students learn in Drama? 

We study the art of theatre; analysing and appreciating how and why theatre is created. Students explore a wide range of theatrical genres and styles, understanding how techniques and choices made by the theatre makers can influence and communicate meaning to an audience. Students are taught how to adopt and experiment with these skills, developing their own ideas and collaborating with others. 

Summary of curriculum content 

Link to Drama Learning Journey

Challenge and support in Drama 

Students are challenged in drama by being given open ended tasks, that allow students to explore and deploy the skills taught with their own creative energy and voice influencing their pieces. Students are taught the skills of backstage and are encouraged to consider how these can influence the audience and enhance the performance. Creativity is encouraged and students are supported to experiment, to research and develop their own talents and skills. We also watch many filmed productions to stimulate the students to explore new styles and techniques. A variety of support is available for students in drama, collaboration with others, alternative texts and tasks broken into small steps can encourage all to thrive.  

How is Drama assessed?  

KS3 

Students are assessed at KS3 at the end of each unit of work, this usually includes both written and practical assessments. Each assessment is marked out of 40, and an average of these marks is used to contribute to the progress reviews. Every unit of work encourages student to be creative and critical thinkers, develop specific skills and either explore their own performance skills or appreciate the work of live theatre makers.  

KS4 

In Key Stage 4, students are assessed based on the three components of the AQA Drama GCSE 

Component 1 – 40% Written exam 

•  Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre 
•  Study of one set play from a choice of nine  
• Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers 

Component 2 – 40% Devising Coursework  

Process of creating devised drama  

• Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer)  
• Analysis and evaluation of own work 

Component 3 – 20% text in Practice  

Performance of two extracts from one play (students may contribute as performer or designer) 

Learning beyond the classroom 

There will be a school production every year, as well as drama clubs to get involved with. Students can develop backstage and performance skills, including working with industry professionals. We strongly believe in the importance of seeing live theatre as an inspirational tool for performance work and a great way to develop reflective and evaluation skills. We also invite theatre practitioners into school to stimulate the students to explore new styles and techniques. 

Where can Drama lead? 

Students can go on to study A Level Drama & Theatre Studies or BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts/ Musical Theatre/ Production Arts 

Careers in Drama include actor/actress, director, stage manager, technical design, arts administrator, drama teacher, Youth theatre worker, TV/ Radio work, law, public relations, journalism, diplomacy, politics, social work, hospitality, leisure and tourism, and many more.