Introduction to the subject:

The Drama Department offers students the opportunity to create, explore and see drama and theatre and to develop skills of performance, production and analysis in a practical setting.

Passionate about the potential impact of drama and theatre on young people, the Drama Department uses the arts to develop students’ confidence, skills in communication, collaboration and creativity, and to provide a standard of training that will appropriately prepare those students who wish to pursue a career in the creative industries.

The department has long-established links with many professional companies and individuals, including the Birmingham REP, the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, and the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

KS3 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc)

Years 7 & 8

All students receive one sixty-minute lesson per week.  The taught year is divided into a six varied units (one per half-term).  Our main aim is to ensure each student develops the vital disciplines of Creating, Performing and Responding and that students are given a range of opportunities to explore these in a variety of contexts.  Topics include exploring social issues such as Homelessness, Identity, etc, as well as genres/styles and skills such as Comedy, Devising, Physical Theatre, etc. Units are stimulating, challenging, inspiring, and focused on developing students’ appreciation of drama and its use as a tool for exploration of the world around them.  Students select options at the latter stages of Year 8.

KS4 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc as well as GCSE exam board and course information

Years 9 & 10

At Key Stage 4, students receive three sixty-minute lessons per week. The taught year is again divided into six varied units (one per half-term) preparing students for assessment at GCSE Level.

Students develop skills of Drama exploration (of both themes and texts), performance and evaluation of live theatre.  We provide regular opportunities for students to visit professional theatre settings and to see high quality live performance from some of the most highly regarded companies in the country.

Our established links with professional companies offer students frequent opportunities to work with professional practitioners, often as part of specialist workshops.

All students have access to dedicated rehearsal studios, equipped with rostra, stage lighting and sound systems.

Year 11

Students currently undertake the Edexcel GCSE Drama course, which involves two units of practical exploration, followed by written reflection, and a final performance unit.

The department has enjoyed a long history of success at GCSE level, consistently securing high standards of achievement.

KS5 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc as well as GCSE exam board and course information

Years 12 & 13

At Key Stage 5, all students receive five sixty-minute lessons per week.

We currently offer both the Edexcel A Level in Drama and Theatre Studies and the BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts (Acting) Subsidiary Diploma, alternating between the two courses depending on the pathways of students.

Our professional links enable us to offer the very highest standard of vocational learning, achieving performance work that seeks to emulate the practice of Higher Education institutes and that prepares students for study at either university or drama school.

Students study textual analysis with high levels of academic rigour to ensure that students’ written analysis is of an equally high standard.  Topics include the study of contemporary theatre, the Elizabethan era and Ancient Greek comedy.

At this level, we are passionately committed to achieving excellence in all areas of study and to providing students with a disciplined but highly creative setting in which to develop the level of knowledge and skill demanded by the highest performing universities, drama schools and the professional industry.

Links for learning: (add any useful website links)

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/gcse/drama/

GCSE Drama learning resources for students and parents.

www.rsc.org.uk/education/

Resources and information regarding the study of Shakespeare.

https://www.dramauk.co.uk/

Provides a unique link between the theatre, media and broadcast industries and drama training providers in the UK.