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Drama
 

INSPIRE - INCLUDE - INITIATE – INNOVATE 
 

Head of Department: Mr Julian Oakland - oaklandj@wellandparkacademy.com
 

Key Stage 3
 

The KS3 Drama Curriculum is based upon developing pupil imagination, communication and creativity whilst assessing their progress in the three essential areas of making, performing and responding in Drama. Students receive Drama once a week for Years 7 and 8. The Drama and Music departments work very closely together to ensure that provision for Performing Arts is extensive and aims to cater for a wealth of interests and abilities. We have regular performances throughout the year including evening concerts, musicals and other cross-curricular events.
 

All students have the opportunity to develop Drama skills through:
 

  • Interpreting and performing short plays.

  • Devising short plays of different types and purposes.

  • Sustaining characters for a reasonable period of time.

  • Selecting and/or creating appropriate resources to support their Drama e.g. lighting, music, projections, masks.

  • Interpreting and performing scripted work using varied techniques.

  • Analysing and improving their own work and suggesting improvements to that of others.

  • Responding with sensitivity and empathy to stimuli from across times and cultures.

  • Take part in the extra-curricular life of Performing Arts at Welland Park Academy.
     

Key Stage 4
 

Over the length of the OCR GCSE Drama course students will be given the opportunity to explore the subject from a range of perspectives by:
 

  • devising their own, original work from a range of stimuli

  • bringing to life the work of a playwright

  • thinking as theatre reviewers, developing their own thoughts on what makes drama and theatre successful

  • working as creative artists to develop and bring a character to life through exploration and rehearsal
     

Students can choose to be assessed as either a performer or as a designer in the non-exam components. This means that students have the choice to complete the course as a performer, as a designer or through a combination of both roles.
 

The designer option (lighting, sound, set, costume) has its own marking criteria and specification requirements, ensuring students are well supported in taking these options, and are credited for the individual skills needed for each discipline. Students who follow this course must be motivated, enthusiastic, able to work independently and as part of a team and, very importantly, be committed to the subject.
 

The assessment of GCSE Drama consists of three mandatory components:
 

DEVISING DRAMA: Students will create a devised performance in groups. They will be able to select a starting point from a range of stimuli provided by the exam board at the beginning of Year 10. Performances will be between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on the size of the group and will need to be supported by a portfolio of evidence. (30%)
 

TEXT PERFORMANCE: Students will take part in performing two extracts from a text set by the Academy. One of these must be as part of a group. Again performance length will vary depending on the size of the group and will need to be supported by written evidence. (30%)
 

THE EXAM: There are two sections. Section A will be based on their knowledge of Drama as explored through their practical work. Section B will consist of analysing and evaluating a live theatre performance they have seen using accurate subject-specific terminology. (40%)

 

FAQ’s

How often do students have Drama lesson?

Everybody in Years 7 to 8 receive one hour of Drama per week in their form groups.

What topics or skills do you teach?

An example of topics and our area of focus for that topic (Create, Perform, Evaluate) is listed in the Curriculum Map that you can access from the Drama Curriculum page or on our main Drama page.

I know my child will want to study Drama at GCSE. Is there a set standard they need to be at?

No, but we do recommend that they are enthusiastic and hard-working, open to new challenges.

What else can my child expect to experience?

We offer a range of enjoyable extra-curricular activities which aim to cater for performers of all abilities including a Drama club and school shows.
 

For a closer look at the specification please click the link below.
 

https://ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/drama-j316-from-2016/
 

Possible career applications for this GCSE:

Performer, sound/lighting technician, arts worker, drama therapy, director, set designers, broadcast or theatre operative, stage management.

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