What do students study?

Drama is taught as part of the Core Curriculum at Key Stage 3. Every student in Years 7, 8 and 9 has a one lesson per week. High standards of work are expected and students develop self-awareness and self-confidence in an environment where success is recognised and valued.

At KS3 lessons are heavily practical and involve a variety of stimulus material.

The Year 7 syllabus is designed to give students the opportunity to acquire a fundamental  understanding of key theatrical and performance concepts, including vocal projection, use of space, status, structuring a piece of theatre and performance objectives.

The Year 8 course builds upon these skills whilst using theatre to approach contemporary issues such as the Stephen Lawrence story and Gang culture.

Lessons strike a balance between teacher-led workshop activities and greater creative freedom, thus ensuring that students have a wide range of skills upon which to draw when putting together a piece of theatre.

In Year 9 all of the skills acquired in the first two years are reinforced whilst introducing many new rehearsal techniques to create practical performances that prepare students for the rigour of KS4. There are high expectations and through performance and evaluation, students will get accustomed to creating more developed and complex characters and dialogue, no longer relying on two-dimensional character types in their work.

Drama enhances the cultural knowledge and personal development of the students in our care. Opportunities exist for students to take part in extra curricula activities which include performances, Sidmouth Youth Theatre, workshops and many varied theatre visits.

How are students assessed?

At Key Stage 3, students are assessed for their ability to create, perform and respond.  At the end of each topic they respond to their assessment by identifying their own good practice as well as responding to targets that have been set for them. The aim us then for them to improve their work in one of these specific areas. They are encouraged to reflect on their input in the devising process, their ability to perform and to evaluate their work and the work of others.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

Our primary purpose in education is to prepare our young people for life and to give them the life skills and knowledge that they need to meet and, in some cases, exceed their potential. Qualifications mean so much more than just numbers on a piece of paper and are a gateway to careers and prosperity. This is why we are offering a Vocational Performing Arts course that will not only provide a wealth of personal life skills such as confidence, critical thinking and collaboration but it is a course that prepares our young people for the world of work that they will soon be entering.

This course addressed The Arts Council report in 2018 that warned that ‘a decrease in the number of schools offering creative art and design courses, the decrease in the number of students studying these subjects and a lack of effective information, advice and guidance on careers in the creative and cultural sector are perceived to be threatening the development of the talent pipeline. It has been recognised that it will be vital for the sector to build on its success with ‘home grown’ talent and continued partnerships to ensure we retain our world-leading reputation. In 2015 the music, performing and visual arts sector, was worth £5.4 billion a year to the UK economy.  This represented a growth of almost 10% The 10% increase was three times that of the wider UK economy during the same period.  The figures showed a 46% increase in the music and performing arts sector since 2008.3 In 2019, 88,000 people were employed in performing arts. The number of employees in performing arts had increased from 59,000 in 2013. This highlights the importance of qualifications in developing the performing arts skills of young people.  

EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAILS—AQA

This qualification is 100% coursework and there is no terminal examination. You will be working in groups in response to varied stimulus material to communicate ideas in dramatic form. You will have the opportunity to study all aspects of performing arts including; lighting, sound, props, costume, stage make-up You will experience live theatre and you may work with professional practitioners in a workshop situation. 

Throughout this course, you will be involved in many varied activities that test your skills in all related areas. You will be improvising, examining texts, designing, visiting theatres and working in groups. The emphasis is on individual strengths and interests. This course demands a high level of personal motivation and interest.

Unit 1  - Performing

Unit 1 provides learners with a holistic knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional / published work.

This unit can be completed through any one of the following disciplines:

• Drama
• Music
• Music Technology
• Musical Theatre (candidates will be required to demonstrate their skills in at least two out of the three disciplines of singing, dancing and acting).

Unit 2 – Creating

Unit 2 provides learners with the opportunity to gain, develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work in the performing arts.

Performance disciplines

• Devised drama
• Choreography
• Composition
• Composition using technology

Production disciplines

• Costume design (for at least two characters)
• Lighting design
• Sound design
• Make-up and hair design (for at least two characters)
• Set design.

Unit 3 – Performing Arts in Practice

Unit 3 introduces learners to areas of the performing arts that need to be considered when responding to an industry commission.

Learners will need to draw on their knowledge of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional / published work from Unit 1 alongside their knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work from Unit 2.

WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?

This qualification provides an excellent foundation, preparing students for the transition to study a range of Preforming Arts courses including Drama and Theatre A Level,  and supports all university courses.

FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?

Careers:  

• Where leadership and team work are essential skills.
• Where the art of persuasion is sought and enterprise rewarded.
• Where people skills and communication are vital.
• Where skills are appropriate to the diverse requirements of the creative industries which is the biggest employer generating 90 billion a year to the UK economy. This includes all areas of Television, Film and Theatre, where performing, technical  and creative ability are central to success.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Important! If you want to do well in this course you will need to be committed to working outside lesson time. You will benefit from a department that celebrates excellent results.

Introduction

Drama is a challenging and exciting A Level that provides opportunities for progression to many different courses in Higher Education. It is a distinct subject, complementary to other arts subjects, and is a useful qualification for a career in the media, entertainment and leisure industries. These industries generate 71.4 billion per year to the UK economy—generating £8 Million pounds per hour. Drama is also an asset in all areas of employment where people matter, eg, Law, Teaching, Police Service, Social Work, Caring, Journalism, Politics, Sales and Management.

What do students study?

• You will develop skills in a range of practical elements· You will work in groups of two to eight to create original theatre and perform extracts from scripted plays
• You will research the work of an influential director, designer, theatre company or theatre practitioner
• You will study chosen set texts from different periods and genres
• You will experience live productions to develop the ability to make critical and evaluative judgements.

How are students assessed?

A-Level Drama & Theatre Studies : 3 Components

Component 1: Drama & Theatre  40% of A level

Written exam paper - 3 Hours  - Study of 2 set texts [80 marks]

Section A & B  Answer a question based on the study of a play from list A & B.  [55 marks]

Section C- Answer a question about a piece of live theatre seen. [25 marks]

Component 2: Creating Original Drama  [Practical] 30% of A Level

Devised Performance [60 marks]

 As a group you will devise and perform an original piece of theatre using the specific methodologies of a prescribed practitioner. [20 marks]

You will produce a working notebook outlining the devising process.  [40marks]

Component 3: Making Theatre Performance [practical] 60% of A Level

Presentation of an extract from a play  [60 marks]

Practical exploration and theatrical interpretation of 3 extracts each taken from a different play. Extract 3 is to be performed to an audience.  [40 marks]

You will produce a reflective report analysing and interpreting all 3 extracts.