Director of Study: Mrs D Smith

Teachers: Ms M Mellow

Key Stage 3

Students experience a broad ranging curriculum that covers multiple styles and genres of drama. Students learn how to work with scripts and devise from a variety of interesting stimuli. The emphasis at KS3 is upon practical experiences of drama, to build confidence, encourage independent work and foster creativity and problem solving skills. There are many extra-curricular experiences on offer, from our regular theatre trips (in school and to local/Manchester theatres), drama clubs and LAMDA qualifications. This past year we have offered: School Musical (Mary Poppins) - (set design, tech team, acting, make-up); Little Voices Paired and Group LAMDA qualifications, Vamos Mask performance/workshop, Languages Evening Performances (drama in different languages!), Panto Club, Ghost Walk, KS3 Script Club (The Arsonist, Matilda, Ernie's Incredible Illucinations), Wicked theatre trip, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in-school performance, and our regular Tech Team meetings. All Year 9s are invited to have free lessons with our visiting LAMDA coach.

Assessment is based upon giving students clear and inspiring feedback, with targets set to develop practical dramatic knowledge, confidence and group work. Homework is set to extend all classwork and is set according the topic being covered.

Please contact Mrs Stone if you wish to take part in our extracurricular opportunities!

Key Stage 4

Y10 Drama

GCSE Drama is a varied course where students gain experience of a range of Drama skills and techniques. In Year 10 there is a great focus on learning all techniques and styles of drama and to develop devising skills and developing theatre knowledge. Students are taught in workshop style lessons and are focussed towards creating devised and scripted pieces for public performance. This develops their independence and creativity, preparing them for Component 2 (Devising), where students devise drama and perform or design for the piece and Component 3, which students perform or design for 2 scripted extracts from published plays. There is also a great focus on learning to write effectively to analyse both the work of self and others. This equips students to write with greater detail, explanation and with more application of drama language. Students use a range of stimuli including; stories, pictures, poems and extracts from plays that are explored in Drama workshops or developed into performance. They are also encouraged to develop their technical skills in lighting, sound and performance support, should they show interest in these areas. GCSE Drama has essentially a group based teaching approach, and group dynamics are a vital factor in achieving success. The teaching of drama focuses upon building these group work skills.

Assessment

During Year 10 students are assessed using a variety of methods - peer assessment, self-assessment and teacher assessment. Students take part in a minimum of two public performances which are assessed according to GCSE criteria. Written work is produced in groups or individually and is assessed in line with GCSE criteria. Students are given very clear targets to help progression to the next level.

All Year 10 Drama GCSE Students are offered free places to study Group LAMDA qualifications with our visiting coach. Year 10 students take part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival in Autumn, Year 10 and perform in a professional theatre and in school. Year 10s also create a whole school Ghost Walk/Escape Rooms experience, perform in the Language Evening Festival and perform Blood Brothers script extracts to an invited audience. Students also take part in Paperbirds Theatre Company and Vamos Mask workshops. We celebrate our links with Simon Stephens and will be offering Masterclasses with him in 2020. Year 10 and 11 students also host visiting performances from Marple College ("Teechers") and various college/drama school workshops (ArtsEd, Debut, Manchester College). Tech is an important part of GCSE; we provide superb facilities for costume, lighting, sound, set and puppetry.