The Drama curriculum is designed to be a blending of academic rigour alongside the development and application of skills. In Drama, we aim to help students understand the world around them and to empathise with characters in a range of situations promoting a love and understanding of people who are different than ourselves. We will develop students’ self-confidence, leadership, communication and oracy, time management, organisation, creativity, self-control, and co-operation.  The vocal and physical skills acquired in Drama train our students to have faith and assurance in themselves to confidently present in front of others. This is not only needed to flourish in our subject but in the wider school curriculum and in all aspects of life especially future employment.

Students will be given the opportunity to hone their practical skills, knowledge and understanding through the academic exploration of theatrical texts from Greek tragedy, to Shakespeare and various modern classics. They will also explore issues from the wider world using a variety of stimuli from current affairs to music and artworks. Methodologies of a range of theatrical practitioners such as Stanislavski and Brecht are introduced throughout the key stages to help shape their individual ideas with a greater understanding of the need of style, intention and theatrical form.

We are passionate about enriching our curriculum with extracurricular activities introducing students to as many artistic and cultural experiences as possible. These include drama clubs, putting on plays and performing in professional venues, residential trips to London, various theatre trips and participation in Arts Award, which complement the curriculum in its fullest sense.

Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

The course allows for the development of key skills that prove your aptitude in Performing Arts such as reproducing repertoire or responding to stimuli. Pupils are provided with the opportunity to practically explore the processes that underpin effective ways of working within the Performing Arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal techniques and performance skills. Students are able to develop attitudes that are considered most important in the Performing Arts, including personal management, leadership, communication and teamwork. They learn a knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles. The knowledge gained in this course is highly transferable to all future careers.

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts

Aim: get a taste of what it’s like to be a professional actor, dancer or musical theatre performer.
Assessment: internally assessed assignments
Weighting: 30% of total course

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques
in the Performing Arts

Aim: develop skills and techniques in the chosen discipline(s) of acting, dance and musical theatre.
Assessment: internally assessed assignments
Weighting: 30% of total course

Component 1: Performing to a Brief

Aim: consider how practitioners adapt their skills for different contexts, and put this into practice in a performance.
Assessment: externally assessed task, where students work in groups of between 3 and 7 members to create a performance based on a set brief.
Weighting: 40% of total course

Resources

Guide to Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts specification

BBC Bitesize – Drama

Careers Links

Drama is considered a desirable qualification by many universities as it can help build confidence and provide other transferable skills that can be applied to a vast range of different career paths. Click here for examples of some of the employability skills Drama can provide.