Quotes

“We all must do theatre, to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become.” – Augusto Boal

Purpose

The purpose of the drama curriculum at Rushey Mead Academy is to develop students’ artistic, personal and collaborative skills so they become more confident and effective in communicating their ideas in a safe and supportive environment. They have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and are encouraged to become creative and critical thinkers.

The curriculum aims to provide students with engaging stimuli which they discuss, respond to through practical exploration activities, research to deepen understanding and shape into drama which conveys meaning for an audience. Students are encouraged to evaluate and analyse not only the drama itself as an artistic form but also the issues being explored and consider the purpose of theatre to question and explore our society and the world that we live in. The extra- curricular programme provides opportunities to enrich student cultural experience either through performing themselves or watching others in professional settings.

Key Stage 3 features and summary

Students study Drama as part of Creative Arts in a half year rotation. Students develop skills and knowledge to respond imaginatively to stimuli, practice group work skills and learn to perform with confidence in front of an audience. Topic areas are designed to engage students in a variety of issues, literature and historical events, through practical exploration and performance.

Key Drama Skills:

  • Responding to and researching a stimulus
  • Devising
  • Performing
  • Analysis and evaluation of how meaning is conveyed.

KS3 curriculum map & knowledge organisers

KS3 Curriculum Map

Drama Yr7

Drama Yr8

Drama Yr9

Key Stage 4 features and summary

The GCSE Drama course follows the EDUQAS examination specification.  Learners are given the opportunity to develop their appreciation of drama as actors, designers and directors, developing a wide range of key skills throughout their study through carefully selected texts and the study of established theatre practitioners. Students have 5 lessons over 2 weeks. The set text studied for component 3 is DNA by Dennis Kelly. Students are taken to the theatre to prepare them for the Live Theatre review question in the written exam. They are also given the opportunity to work with external practitioners/theatre companies to develop their understanding of performing from a text and/or devising.

The course has 3 components (please see link below for further details)

http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/

Component 1 – Devising theatre (40%)
Component 2 – Performing from a text (20%)
Component 3 – Interpreting theatre (40%)

KS4 curriculum map & knowledge organisers

KS4 Curriculum Map

GCSE Drama C1 – Devising

GCSE Drama C2 – Performing from a text

GCSE Drama C3 – Set Text

Assessment and feedback

In KS3 students are assessed at the end of each project using the assessment tables. They are given verbal feedback throughout their rehearsal process with opportunity to improve and then more formally after their final assessment with a ‘What went well’ and an ‘even better if.’ The emphasis is on building students confidence.

In KS4 students will be given written feedback in their booklets and given verbal feedback as their practical work is evaluated as a class and in small group work. They will have 3 formal mock assessments in each component to prepare them for the examination and will receive detailed verbal and written feedback to allow them to make progress.

Assessment in Year 7

Assessment in Year 8

Assessment in Year 9

Useful websites and resources

BBC Bitesize http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zbckjxs

Theatrecrafts http://www.theatrecrafts.com/home

Creative Arts Blog http://rmscreativearts.weebly.com/

Creative Arts Twitter https://twitter.com/rusheymeadCArts

Co-curricular opportunities

There is a thriving extra-curricular programme in Creative Arts. There are regular clubs but we also look out for exciting opportunities for students to be involved in e.g. workshops and performance by Theatre Centre, participation in a Cultural festival with Curve, workshops and performances with visiting artists at Curve.

We host GSCE examination showcases annually and for all students the school production works on a bi-annual system. The first year will be a school musical e.g. Bugsy Malone, Annie and the Wizard of Oz. The second year is a themed faculty showcase, which allows us to produce a show drawing on the many talents across the school in Dance, Drama and Music. Students may take on roles both on stage and back stage and leadership opportunities for students are generated.

Stretch and challenge opportunities

Students have the opportunity to lead in the school production.

Visiting professional theatre companies – performance and workshops.

Homework

KS4

Students are set homework regularly in KS4 but will have periods of time when their homework will be to attend rehearsals for practical assignments.

KS3

Students are set one piece of homework per project. The homework is usually to research, prepare or bring something to the lesson. It is developing their research, organisational, and creative skills and gives them an opportunity to develop and refine ideas explored in the lesson.

Revision

Revision advice available here

Revision in KS3

Faculty Staff

Mrs Hunter (Curriculum Leader – Creative Arts): [email protected]