KBA > Secondary > Curriculum

Head of Subject: Lydia Greentree

In our two dedicated, fully equipped drama spaces, students of all ages enjoy practically exploring drama techniques in both scripted and devised performances. Students work individually, in pairs, small groups, and as a whole class. Most lessons involve some independent learning to engage with narrative and characters. Students create pieces that are self evaluated, as well as receiving feedback from their peers and teacher.

Specific skills such as acting, staging, devising and theatre genre are taught as well as general skills including communication, presentation and confidence. A large number of students choose continue studying drama at GCSE and A level standard.

Drama Is taught on a weekly basis across KS3. In year 9 students opt for drama and begin their journey for GCSE. The key focus for year 7 is to develop confidence, creativity, communication and co-operation. In year 8 the focus will be on developing vocal and physical performance skills.

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum please contact Mrs Lydia Greentree lydiagreentree@kba.uk or Mrs Catherine Pringle catherinepringle@kba.uk

Key Stage 3

At KS3, the drama curriculum focuses on the exploration and development of key performance skills. Students are able to explore the world of making and creating drama from a range of stimuli through to analysing the plays and theories of key practitioners such as Bertolt Brecht. Groups of students are encouraged to perform sections of a scripted scene using space to communicate relationships and effective timing. Further to exploring practically drama and theatre, students will have experience of evaluating live theatre looking at not only acting but the role of designer.

Key Stage 4

The course overview is divided into three units.

Unit 1 is a Devised component which is worth 30% of the total GCSE

The aim of this component is to explore a given stimulus through the practical exploration and create a piece of devised drama. Learners will be asked to respond, create, develop, evaluate, perform a polished improvisation. Alongside the practical, pupils will have to complete a portfolio which will evidence the practical devising process.

In year 9 the pupils will look at the stimulus of Pantomime as a starting point.

In year 10 they will look at the theme of War and the impacts on the lives of family, cultures and society

In year 11 the exam board will send the given stimulus to the centre and this could be anything from a poem, song, image or news item..

Unit 2 Presenting and Performing texts which is worth 30% of the total GCSE

This component provides an opportunity for learners to be taught theatrical skills and then be assessed in what they have learnt in a practical way. Learners apply their presentation and performance skills through realising two key extracts from one chosen texts.

In year 11 this is assessed by a visiting examiner.

Unit 3 Performance and Response which is worth 40%

For this component, learners need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how drama is developed, performed and responded to. The pupils will study the text by Willy Russell,” Blood brothers”

This section will be explored practically but the learners will answer written questions in exam conditions. The second section of this component is the Live Theatre Evaluation. Learners will be required to answer questions on a piece of theatre they have seen, commenting on the production values.

Our intention as a department is to give pupils the opportunity to visit a professional theatre at least two times over the course of two years.