Drama
Why is the subject important?
Drama is a unique form of creative expression; it takes a lot of courage to stand up on a stage and speak in front of an audience. Drama develops empathy. A good understanding of characters, roles and subtext of plays will allow students to relate better to different situations, context and even cultures. As a result, students gain the ability to view the world from another persons’ perspective without judgement. This in turn will builds emotional intelligence through the use of imagination.
The drama department at Trinity Academy Grammar aims to provide a curriculum that promotes the development of practical and theoretical skills in a range of performance styles. Learning focuses on developing a foundation of skills that are then built on and interleaved throughout the curriculum. Lessons are designed to be predominantly practical in their approach to allow the students to explore their learning in a creative and imaginative way. Theoretical knowledge is embedded through understanding of key vocabulary and through the exploration of various performance styles and texts that broadly cover a range of different genres and approaches to performance.
Key Skills and Concepts of Learning include:
- Developing knowledge and understanding
- Creating and performing in a range of styles
- Developing performance skills through both devised and scripted performance
- Exploring genres, styles and practitioners both theoretically and practically
- Performing with confidence and creativity whilst showing an awareness of space and audience
- Developing confidence, resilience, self-discipline and teamwork.
Year 7
What will I be studying?
- Introduction to Drama
- Woman in Black (cross-curricular with English developing Gothic fiction)
- Introduction to Physical Theatre
- Practitioner study – Brecht
- Romeo and Juliet (cross-curricular with English)
Each year at KS3 will end with a devising project that allows students to consolidate their learning from the year and apply skills and techniques to a final performance.
Career Links
- Performer
- Director
- Choreographer
- Political Commentator
- Costume Designer
- Event Co-ordinator
How will I be assessed?
Practical performances are assessed individually, performed in small groups and assessed against performance skills, theatrical and choreographic techniques and rehearsal skills.
Masters of Recall is used to assess theoretical knowledge.
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
https://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_b/bugsy_malone.htm https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zmn9382/revision/3
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zfdj6sg
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zwpfvwx/articles/zpy7xbk
Year 8
What will I be studying?
- Mime and Melodrama
- Macbeth (cross-curricular with English)
- Practitioner Study – Stanislavski
- Physical Theatre – Frantic Assembly
- Our Day Out (cross-curricular with English)
Each year at KS3 will end with a devising project that allows students to consolidate their learning from the year and apply skills and techniques to a final performance.
Career Links
- Composer
- Sound Designer
- Drama
- Therapist
- Dancer
- Playwright
- Stage Manager
How will I be assessed?
Practical performances are assessed individually, performed in small groups and assessed against performance skills, theatrical and choreographic techniques and rehearsal skills.
Masters of Recall is used to assess theoretical knowledge.
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79i84xYelZI
https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/the-frantic-method
Year 9
What will I be studying?
- Practitioner Study – John Godber
- Blood Brothers (cross-curricular with English)
- Greek Theatre
- Physical Theatre – Frantic Assembly’s Othello (cross-curricular with English)
- Devising Theatre
Each year at KS3 will end with a devising project that allows students to consolidate their learning from the year and apply skills and techniques to a final performance.
Career Links
- Teacher
- Set Designer
- Dramaturg
- Facilitator
- Theatre in Education Performer
- Finance Officer
How will I be assessed?
Practical performances are assessed individually, performed in small groups and assessed against performance skills, theatrical and choreographic techniques and rehearsal skills.
Masters of Recall is used to assess theoretical knowledge.
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
https://www.thejohngodbercompany.co.uk/
https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/productions/othello-2#resources
https://dramaresource.com/devising-theatre/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnoZmoZbjwg
Years 10 and 11
What will I be studying?
WJEC Level1/2 Tech Award in Performing Arts
The WJEC specification is a vocational course meaning that all study is linked to developing competence, understanding and awareness to pursue a career within the performing arts industry. The course has a practical focus with no written exams. Students are assessed through project work including performance and written coursework.
UNIT 1: Performing
You will learn the skills and techniques needed to produce a successful performance of an existing work, such as an extract from a play or show.
UNIT 2: Creating
You will learn how to create and refine your own original work in performing arts. This means creating your own performance based on a brief you are given.
UNIT 3: Performing Arts in Practice
You will learn about areas of the performing arts industry that need to be considered when responding to a commission and will consider these when coming up with and pitching your own idea. What skills will I develop? You will develop a range of skills which are attractive to employers, colleges and universities including:
- Communication
- Confidence
- Learning independently
- Organisation
- Problem solving
- Research
- Self-discipline
- Stamina
- Taking on responsibility
- Time management.
Career Links
The performing arts industry offers a wide range of career opportunities including:
- Actor
- Arts Administrator
- Community Arts worker
- Choreographer
- Composer
- Dancer
- Designer
- Director
- Drama/Music Therapist
- Front of House Manager
- Lighting/Sound Technician
- Musical Theatre Performer
- Musician
- Stage Manager
- Teacher.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through project work.
For Units 1 and 2 you will undertake projects (not exams) in response to briefs. The project for each unit will take 10 hours and be worth 30% of your qualification. For each one you will be given a scenario and will need to undertake a number of tasks.
In Unit 3 you will undertake another project (no exam) in response to a brief, which will take 20 hours and be worth 40% of your qualification. You will be given a scenario and will need to undertake a number of tasks.
Which websites should I use to support my learning?
