As from the start of the new term KS3 students will have a carousel arrangement for the delivery of our Drama subject. Student progress in this subject will be assessed against the following criteria; Making, Performing and Responding. These group the three main areas of performing.

Assessment will be continuous in that staff will informally monitor student progress from lesson to lesson. At the end of each term a formal evaluative assessment will be made.

Area 1 - Making:

• Experiment with and use of drama techniques to explore themes and topics

• Producing ideas that are imaginative and appropriate

• Changing and improving work through rehearsal

• Working co-operatively in a variety of group sizes

• Using text and other forms of stimuli

Area 2 - Performing:

• Developing and using appropriate vocal skills

• Developing awareness of performance space, gesturing and physical skills

• Developing understanding of role and character

• Developing effective communication of plot or narrative to the audience

• Developing appropriate use of drama techniques within performance

 Area 3 - Responding:

• Develop listening and evaluative skills

• Develop understanding of the importance for positive criticism

• Develop understanding and use of drama vocabulary

• Making connections with dance and music

Drama Basic skills

Within the last term KS3 drama students take part in a six-week program called Drama Basic skills. This program is designed to cement student learning and cap their progress, transforming them from student - actor-performer.

Session 1 - Actors develop trust in their acting group

Session 2 - Highlights the importance of moving from 'person - actor -performer'

Session 3 -Tackles the self conscience aspect of performing by using drama techniques

Session 4 - Highlights the importance of having a purpose/reason for the actions and words they say on stage

Session 5- Examines the role of 'impulse' in acting and making a line feel real

Session 6 -Improvisation: Acting without scripts.

Key Stage 4/5 Students

Beginning in the new term KS4/5 students will take part in the Edexcel Drama GCSE program of study.

Drama GCSE consists of three units of work. Unit 1 and 2 make up 60% of the overall grade (30% each unit) Unit 3 makes up 40% and is used for preparation for the final performance exam.

Unit 1

In Unit 1 Students will use the stimuli of film, photo, music and poetry to develop understanding for at least four drama explorative strategies in order to explore a chosen theme or topic. They will shape ideas to communicate meaning through drama, realise and develop these ideas within a group and use the language of drama to communicate and evaluate their work and the work of their peers. They will also maintain a working notebook and devise and perform an original piece of drama. The students will have a six hour recorded assessment and will produce a portfolio of work that contains a documentary response to the work they developed within the assessment.

Unit 2

In Unit 2 Students will use the work of a professional playwright to develop understanding for at least four drama explorative strategies in order to explore a chosen theme or topic. They will shape ideas to communicate meaning through drama, realise and develop these ideas within a group and use the language of drama to communicate and evaluate their work and the work of their peers. They will also maintain a working notebook and devise and perform an original piece of drama. The students will have a six hour recorded assessment. Student will see a live theatre production and will produce a portfolio of work that will have a review of the live performance and a documentary response to the work they developed within the assessment.

Unit 3

In unit 3 students prepare for their final performance exam. They will have the option of either

• Performing a short scripted play from a professional playwright

• Devising an original piece of drama within a group

• Performance Support using a selected drama skill

Students will develop, rehearse and work towards the selected exam date. If they opt for 'Performing a short scripted play' they will have to produce for the examiner documentary evidence of their understanding of the play. If they opt for 'Devising an original piece' they will have to produce for the examiner a basic breakdown of their plot and characters or provide a script of their piece. If a student opts for 'Performance Support' they will have to give a five-minute presentation of why they have chosen the selected Performance Support Skill.