DRAMA

Department members:
Mrs Sara Barrett (Head of Department)
Mrs Gemma Brooks

Levels taught in the department:
Key Stage 3
GCSE
AS and A2 Level

Introduction
Drama is taught to all students from Years 7-8 once a week and in Year 9 fortnight. The course is designed to promote confidence and enhance social skills as well as introduce students to a variety of drama skills and techniques. Students can then choose to study Drama at GCSE or Theatre Studies at A-level, both of which are popular choices in the school.

Drama at different levels

	Drama is taught as a discrete subject at Key Stage 3 and the emphasis is on skills and confidence building.
	At GCSE we follow the AQA syllabus which is 60% practical and 40% written exam. In the written exam students are expected to respond to plays and live theatre they have seen.
	At A-level we also follow the AQA syllabus which at AS and A2 is 40% practical, 60% written exam. Further details of the AQA course can be found in the sixth form curriculum pages. Please click here.

Course Content
These are some of the topics studied in each year:

	Year 7 - Pantomime skills, Conflict and Tension in Drama, Shakespeare.
	Year 8 - Physical Theatre, Forum Theatre, Drama from other Cultures
	Year 9 - Theatre history from Greek Theatre to present day, Shakespeare for SATS, acting for film.
	Year 10 - Improvisation, Script work, Dance/Drama or devised Drama.
	Year 11 - Theatre in Education (performed to Shottery Primary School), free choice, exam preparation.
	Year 12 - "A Doll's House" by Ibsen, scripted drama, study of live theatre.
	Year 13 - "Hedda Gabler" by Ibsen, "Our Country's Good" by Wertenbaker, Scripted Drama, Peter Brook.

School Productions
The Depertment aims to put on at least one school production per year. This is usually performed in the spring term. However, there are many other opportunities for people to perform and direct.

2009/10

* November ’09: 'Shipwrecked' - A Response to Twelfth Night, performed at the RSC Courtyard Theatre. Performed by Yr 10 GCSE Drama group.

* December '09: Day of Celebration 'Without Wonderland' - Devised and performed by the Year 13 Theatre Studies group.

* Date tba: 'The Wizard of Oz' - A Yr 8/9 Drama Club production directed by members of Yr 13.

* Date tba: 'Merry Regiment of Women' - A Senior Drama Club production directed by members of Yr 12.

2008/09

* November ’08: A Response to ‘The Merchant of Venice’
Scriptwriting Project in conjunction with the RSC
Performed by members of Yr 10

* December ’08: Day of Celebration
‘Post Secrets’
Performed by the Year 13 Theatre Studies group

* February ’09: ‘Little Women: The Musical’
Directed by Mrs Barrett/Miss Coates
Whole School production

* March ’09: ‘Playhouse Creatures’
Directed by members of Year 13
Performed by the Senior Drama Club

* March ’09: ‘An Evening of Scripted Drama’
Performed and directed by Yr 12 AS Theatre Studies Group

* April ’09: ‘An Evening of Scripted Drama’
Performed and directed by Yr 13 A2 Theatre Studies Group

2007/08