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Curriculum Intent
The drama department here at the Bourne is extremely passionate about the positive impact that drama can have on young people’s future. Our aim is to help students develop an appreciation for the art form, whilst building on skills in practical performance and written skills of both evaluation and analysis. We aim to provide a fun, safe learning environment in which students can explore a variety of topics, styles, issues and characters whilst working cooperatively with their peers.
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Aims
In the Drama department, guided by the National Curriculum, we aim to use Drama as a learning medium for building confidence, understanding of self, other people and society and to encourage respect and diversity of culture and belief. We also believe it can encourage language development, powers of spoken and written evaluation and imaginative response to a variety of stimuli. We aim to develop expressive movement, confidence in the use of drama conventions, powers of investigation and research and confidence in communication.
Learning Journey
Our learning journeys give a visual overview of the curriculum content covered in each subject. They will help you understand how students make progress in different topics over the years they are with us.
Drama Learning Journey- Key Stage Three
Drama Learning Journey- Key Stage Four
Key Stage 3 Overview
The KS3 curriculum has been designed to develop the skills students will need to study GCSE Drama.
In Year 7 the drama curriculum is aimed at building students confidence and team work skills. They will be working together to learn some basic skills and techniques and will have the opportunity to perform to each other in groups.
In Year 8 the drama curriculum is aimed at students channelling their more creative side. The lessons encourage students to use their imagination within their process of making drama. They will be learning more advanced techniques and building on their performance knowledge and skills.
In Year 9 students are really being prepared for taking the GCSE. We will be looking at improving performance skills and ensuring that they fully understand the main techniques used in performance.
Key Stage 4
This is a popular and highly successful examination course, which the students may choose to follow at the end of Year 9.
The students study the Edexcel GCSE Drama syllabus.
Topics studied over the two-year course include:
- Devising – creating Drama from stimuli
- Performing from a text – we currently look at Government Inspector – Gogol
- Theatre Makers in Practice
- Analysis of a Live Performance
- Mask Work
- Basic Practitioners
- Theatre In Education
The GCSE has 3 components: Two practically assessed performances, one piece of coursework and an exam worth 40% of the overall mark.
Key Words
We aim to support students in their literacy across all curriculum subjects. We provide key word lists as a teaching and learning tool to support student understanding of the technical vocabulary needed to articulate their learning about a particular subject.
Trips and Extra-Curricular Activities
Drama Club runs on Thursdays after school 3 to 4pm for students in years 7, 8 and 9. It is a chance for students who are keen on drama to develop their skills and gain more performance experience. The drama club is led by Year 11 students with the drama teacher facilitating the performance projects. It is also intended to help those of us who would like to gain more confidence or even those who just want to meet more people.
There are many opportunities for students to further their performance experience, with a highlight being the annual school play.
The Drama department are keen for pupils to experience live performances and regularly organise trips to theatres to see professional shows, from Chichester Festival Theatre to the West End.
Staff
Dr. Andrew Wilford – Curriculum Lead in Drama
