Drama and Theatre

Overview

Drama is an enthusiastic, vibrant and successful department.  At Edgbarrow, we have a fully equipped, purpose-built Drama studio with the use of lights, sound and projection. We also have two additional spaces in the school, including the main hall which is home to our large-scale productions.

Drama logo

Co-curricular

Productions are an exciting yearly event and performed at the end of the Christmas term. All students from Year 7 to 13 are invited to take part and can contribute in many different ways! From performing, to sound and lighting, backstage crew, hair, make-up and choreography, the production is a real whole school event!

In Year 7 and 8, there is the opportunity to get involved in Drama Club. This is run as an extra-curricular activity and gives an opportunity for those interested in the subject to expand and explore their talents

Tech Club is run once a week by our Performing Arts Technician and allows students to explore what it is like backstage and all the elements that are needed to put on a production.

Key Staff

Mrs Blazer - Co-Head of Department
Miss Carr - Co-Head of Department
Miss Piggott - Teacher

Curriculum Intent

In Drama, we intend to inspire our students to develop their acting skills, be creative and be resilient and reflective not only in the subject but as a person. This will enable them to be effective performers as well as kind and well-rounded members of the community.

Key Stage 3

Drama at Key Stage 3 should fulfil artistic, intellectual and social needs and our curriculum aims to cover all three.  At Edgbarrow, students will study specific units of work in these areas and will also have the opportunity to explore a plethora of different skills, topics and texts. The work covered in KS3 also works to prepare students who go on to take Drama at GCSE and A-Level.

Schemes of Work

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Introduction to Drama
Students explore creating, performing and evaluating Drama and are introduced to the subject as a safe environment, whereby they can build their confidence, explore their creativity, learn and have fun!

Commedia dell'arte
Students explore the world of Commedia and learn about its impact on theatre today.

Devised Comedy Genres
Students learn about 4 types of comedy and their conventions. These include; Slapstick, Farce, Spoof and Sketch Show.

Basic Vocal & Physical Skills
Acting skills are developed and students use these to become effective and well-rounded performers.

SCRIPT - The Exam
Using The Exam by Andy Hamilton, students explore characterisation. The Exam takes a funny but serious look at the pressures faced by pupils today, both at school and at home. Students learn about methods of developing and understanding character and focus on an intricate portrayal of character.

SCRIPT - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark Haddon’s script allows students to observe how the world is seen through the main characters perspective. Students are taught how to break down the text using the methods of Stanislavski and also exploring the importance of language and dialogue.

SCRIPT - Maid Marion & Her Merry Men
Students explore a script and learn how to interpret text. Students also learn lines and perform these in assessment.

Devising with Stimulus
Students are encouraged to use their imagination and explore a range of stimuli to be used as a starting point for creating Drama.

Verbatim Theatre
Students use all the skills they have explored throughout KS3, to create a full performance. The content for this performance is generated using the techniques of Verbatim Theatre, allowing students to use their own voice to express what matters to them.

Staging & Structure
Different types of staging and theatre configurations are explored. Students also look at how Drama is structured to create meaning.  

Physical Theatre
Students explore Physical Theatre and its many forms.

Improvisation
Students will learn about the key skills involved in improvisation and will work with a number of different scenarios to test their ability to think fast!

KS3 Banding
Students will follow national guidelines throughout Key Stage 3 to support and prepare them for their Key Stage 4 courses. The school operates a banding system of 1-9 (9 being the highest band). Students will be given a target based upon their Key Stage 2 scores and baseline assessments on arrival at Edgbarrow.  The band they are awarded at the end of the Key Stage is intended to be indicative of the grade they may achieve at GCSE.  Banding

Year 7 Curriculum Assessment Plan

Year 8 Curriculum Assessment Plan

Year 9 Curriculum Assessment Plan

Key Stage 4

Why Take GCSE Drama?

GCSE Drama allows students to learn and engage with the world of Drama and Theatre, whilst underpinning this exploration with informed theoretical knowledge and theory. Students have the opportunity to perform, create and study existing performances and texts, whilst inevitably building a repertoire of transferable skills that can be used throughout their life. These include skills in; communication, teamwork, confidence, leadership and time management. Drama is also a subject to look to pursue if you are considering a career in the arts, or for anyone who is interested in culture or social topics.

The Course

The GCSE Drama course is split into three components: 2 pieces of coursework and the written examination.

The written examination focuses on three areas:

• Section A: Theatre roles and terminology
• Section B: Study of a set text
• Section C: Live theatre production

Within each section, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of theatre roles and terminology and be able to show an understanding of how both you and the other actors create characters, atmosphere and how ideas are presented.

The coursework is spread over the 2 years of the GCSE. You will complete 2 pieces, one devised (making the piece up on a theme) and one scripted, where you will need to learn lines for two sections of a play as well as practise the scenes.

Summary of the AQA GCSE Drama Course


Component 1: Understanding Drama

  • 1 hour 45min written exam
  • 40% of your final result, 80 Marksdrama masks

 3 Sections:

  • Section A: Multiple Choice
  • Section B: Questions on a set play (open book)
  • Section C: 2-part question on a live production

 Component 2: Devising Drama

  • 1 piece of devised work (20 Marks) + devising log book (60 Marks)
  • 40% of your final result, 80 Marks

 Component 3: Texts in Practice

  • 2 extracts from a play performed for an external examiner
  • 20% of your final result, 50 Marks
  • Each extract is worth 25 Marks (10%)

Year 10 Curriculum Assessment Plan

Year 11 Curriculum Assessment Plan

Key Stage 5

The A-Level Course

Drama & Theatre Studies is geared to exploring a wide range of Drama content including the study of theatre practitioners and an emphasis on practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding. Students can choose and research an area of practical study to support and enhance their performances and the course’s scope is both challenging and exciting.

There are 3 units in the A-Level and the students sit one written examination paper in the last year.
Evening theatre trips are run during the course to enable students to answer questions in their examination. It is essential the students see as many pieces of theatre as possible, to enable them to have a wider understanding of theatre and knowledge of live performance to answer the examination questions in detail. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact Miss Carr.

Summary of the AQA A Level Drama & Theatre Studies Course

Component 1: Drama and theatre

  • Study of two set plays developing knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre and then analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers.
  • Two set plays will be Our Country's Good and 'Much Ado About Nothing'.
  • Written exam: 3 hours
  • 40% of A-level

 Component 2: Creating original drama (practical)

  • Process of creating devised drama with a performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director).
  • The devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner.
  • 30% of A-Level

 Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

  • Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts each taken from a different play.
  • Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director).
  • 30% of A-Level

Year 12 Curriculum Assessment Plan


For further information regarding our Drama Curriculum please email:
Mrs Blazer
Miss Carr