Drama at Abbotsholme

Key Stage 3

Part of AEP – Fortnightly lessons.

Within Years 7 – 9 we explore the fundamentals of Drama, looking at improving Confidence, Co-operation and Creativity. Drama is not only about performance, but also about devising and responding to stimuli, developing and idea and evaluating their own and others’ work.

Over the 3 years, we use a variety of Dramatic Techniques to explore each of the topics. We look at a variety of topics including:

-          Process Drama e.g. The Expedition in Year 7

-          Skills based Drama e.g. Narration in Year 8

-          Genres e.g. Melodrama in Year 9

-          Issue based Drama e.g. Discrimination and Human Rights in Year 9

-          Script work

-          Shakespeare

Ultimately Drama at Key Stage 3 is design to be good fun, and is a lesson that all students enjoy. However, it is also designed to give the students all the basic skills and knowledge that they need to move on to study Drama at Key Stage 4 and into Post-16.

GCSE

AQA Performing Arts – 4 lessons per week

This course allows students to explore a number of areas of Performing Arts, including:

-          Acting

-          Technical Theatre

-          Front of House

Throughout the 2 years students build a portfolio of evidence of the skills that they have developed and they finish the course with a practical exam.

The course assesses the students in the following areas:

• Planning and Research
• Skills Development and Professional Conduct
• Performances and/or Designs
• Knowledge and Understanding of Work-Related Aspects
• Evaluation of Own and Others Work

A Level

AQA Drama and Theatre Studies – 8 lessons per week

In performing theatre, students’ are required to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding within the structure of a director’s interpretation of a play and to operate at a highly intellectual level as well as at a highly skilled practical level.

This specification is designed for students who enjoy reading and watching plays and taking part in drama, as a performer, director or designer.

The structure of the specification at each level, AS and A2, is one written unit (60%) and one practical unit (40%).

Over the 2 year course, students will;

-          Study 3 plays in depth

-          Perform a scripted and a devised practical exam

-          Evaluate a range of live theatre productions

-          Explore a variety of Practitioners, genres, styles and playwright