Drama

Half Term 1 - Rosa Parks

Students start Year 7 exploring a historical event that is also studied in RS and primary school - and allows them to practically explore key drama techniques, such as character creation, freeze frames and cross cutting.

Half Term 2 - Darkwood Manor

Following on from a historical scheme where facts are explored. Darkwood Manor looks more into fictional drama and the creation of a character from stimulus. Independent performance skills are explored - such as monologue.

Half Term 3 - Mime and Silent Theatre

Having established character and voice in the previous term - we now re-focus on the use of movement through mime, whilst also looking back at the historical subject of mime and silent movies of 100 years ago.

Half Term 4 - Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty

Now that key skills of character, voice, movement have been covered separately in previous schemes - we look at the skill of script and the ability to memorise lines and create a character on stage other than yourself. The play focuses on a young man who has died as a direct result of bullying and is essentially a flashback to his life. Students have chance to explore consequences of decisions you make and how to deal with bullying in a better way.

Half Term 6 - Macbeth

We conclude the year with a practical exploration of Shakespeare’s Macbeth - which is also a text in English. Students though getting an overview of th text we explore the themes of power and corruption whilst also encouraging an enthusiasm for a classic writer.

Half Term 1 - Commedia

Year 8 begins with looking at a fundamental skill/technique and era which shapes modern theatre in particular comedy.  Key skills we look at here include physical theatre, comedy and slapstick humour.

 Half Term 2&3 - Game Over

This is a new text where we explore online grooming in relation to Breck Bedner from Redhill. This play is closely related to a whole school initiative through PSHCE and we will practically explore the text in detail. This will include character creation, staging and vocal and movement techniques to create atmosphere and tension on stage through a script. This style of script is studied at GCSE and fits in with option choices.

 Half Term 4 - Theatre in Education

Students have a chance to create a performance with a didactic element where they challenge themselves to educate the audience in a relevant subject. 

Half Term 5&6- Treasure Island Review

By this stage students have made their option choices and will look at live theatre and how to review it effectively as well as exploring a classic text performed at the national theatre.  This allows students through NT Live to experience a professional production and develop written skills in review and analysis.

Half Term 1 - Introduction to the New GCSE

This gives students an opportunity to have a baseline assessment whilst exploring a number of diverse practitioner approaches to theatre including’;

Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud, Frantic and Kneehigh. There is also lots of opportunity to perform and build relationships with other members of the class.

Half Term 2 - Devising Image Based (C1)

Students have a chance to create a piece of theatre based around a stimulus - this is followed up with an extended piece of written work. The work relates back to one or more of previously studied practitioners and gives them a chance to experience the structure of a GCSE unit. 

Half Term 3 - C3 - Live Theatre - National

Students will see a love piece of theatre and have the chance to review it and learn the written skills needed in the exam in order to analyse and express themselves on their opinion of a professional piece of theatre.

Half Term 4 - C2 - Too much punch and Blood Brothers

Students will study one of the above texts in detail - looking at intention of the author as well as how to play one of the challenging roles resulting in a performance graded on GCSE criteria.

Half Term 5 - C3 - DNA Exam preparation

Students will study and practically explore the set text of DNA in preparation for the exam two years later. This will include looking at exampler questions and answers and developing a written technique and style to help them cope with the time pressures exams.

Half Term 6 - C3 - DNA and Live Theatre

The previous column leads to them doing a practice written paper.

Half Term 1 - DNA and Live theatre focus for PPE

Students will focus on the written exam - leading on from the end of year 9 with the intention of sitting a full PPE paper in class before Christmas so we build up written and evaluative skills as well as examination technique.

Half Term 2 - Live Theatre Review Notes - PPE before Christmas

Students will focus on the written exam - leading on from the end of year 9 with the intention of sitting a full PPE paper in class before Christmas so we build up written and evaluative skills as well as examination technique.

Half Term 3 - C1 - Devising and Practitioners

We now move away from the written exam for a short time and bring it back to devising theatre. This is where a piece of work will be produced that is actually internally marked and externally moderated for their final GCSE grade.

Half Term 4 - C1 - Devising Rehearsal for Exam

We do this now as they have had over a year of exploring texts, stimuli and various practitioners and are ready to independently work on an exam piece. This is performed to a public audience. Around May. Students will also keep a log/record throughout the process for their portfolio.

Half Term 5 - C1 - Devising Exam - Portfolio

In reflection of their performance students undertake the task of their portfolio - this marked and re-drafted and goes to final GCSE grade. This is done so immediately after both the process and performance.

Half Term 6 - C3 - DNA and Live Theatre Review

After a short break we return to the exam and set texts and re-visit what we have previously done and look to improve and get ourselves into the mindset for the exam which is now a year away.

Half Term 1 - C1 - Portfolio review and C3 - DNA

We start the year by ensuring our final draft of coursework is acceptable and to the best of our abilities as well as looking at practice questions and papers for the exam.

Half Term 2 - C1 - Live Theatre Review - Followed PPE’s and C2 Practical rehearsal

PPE preparation is focus here leading up to November exams to prepare for forthcoming summer exams.

Mid way through the term we turn attention to practical exam for post Christmas examination window. Through audition style lessons we look to get the right text for the students.

Half Term 3 - C2 scripted exam

Preparation for the January - March examination window. Students will rehearse and prepare for an internal examination visit.

Half Term 4 - C3 - Written examination preparation.

We return to the examination preparation for the upcoming examination.

This will focus on DNA and live theatre preparation and practice questions. Intervention sessions are in place by now.

Half Term 5 - C3 Examination prep for May 17th

We return to the examination preparation for the upcoming examination.

This will focus on DNA and live theatre preparation and practice questions. Intervention sessions are in place by now.