Drama - Our Curriculum
Girls in Remove, Lower Four and Upper Four broadly follow National Curriculum guidelines.
Within each year group, from Remove to Upper Four, the following topics are covered:
- Working in harmony as a creative ensemble
- Exploring a wide variety of practical drama techniques
- Drama sessions created to further the student's knowledge of theatre and skills
- Creating of a believable characters
- Greek Theatre
- Scripted work
- Shakespearean Text
- Devising theatre
- Commedia del’ Arte
- Improvisation
Key Stage 4
Lower Five: All classes are set to prepare the students for the WJEC (Educas) GCSE.
- Drama devising techniques
- Work and evaluation on a set text
- Ensemble performance
- Exploration of theatre practitioners and genre
Upper Five: All classes are set to prepare the students for the WJEC (Educas) GCSE Drama
- Devising on a given stimulus, including preparing a written portfolio and evaluation (40% internally assessed)
- Preparation of scripted duologues or small group work (20% - externally assessed)
- Set text work (Dennis Kelly’s ‘DNA’ at present) in preparation for written examination (40%)
Advanced Level Students follow the WJEC (Educas) syllabus
A-level Drama is a creative and challenging course, which consists of 3 components:
(1) A re-interpretation of a scripted play, using the techniques of a theatre practitioner, company or genre, with accompanying written creative log of the pieces’ development. (20% - internally assessed)
(2) The delivery of a devised piece of theatre, plus a scripted piece, each inspired by a stimulus set by the examination board. Students must employ the techniques of further theatre practitioners of genres. (40% - externally assessed)
(3) A written examination on two set texts, plus an extract from ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’. (40%)
As part of the curriculum for both GCSE and A-level Drama, it is necessary for students to experience live theatre. This not only enriches their own practical work, but provides essential material for their written examinations. The department runs an annual trip to either London or Stratford Upon Avon, which provides students with the opportunity to see three productions and experience a workshop with a professional theatre company.
