Intent
To practically explore the art of speech, movement and imagination in order to enhance self-confidence and empathy for others in preparation for development into the wider world and community.
- The purpose of the year 7 Drama curriculum is to instill discipline, confidence, love for the subject and build basic knowledge around skills and techniques needed for initial success in Drama.
- The purpose of the year 8 Drama curriculum is to expand on and further embed skills learnt in year 7. There is a greater emphasis on the importance of learning lines and schemes of work teaches students to be mindful, creative and resilient when approaching performances. Characterisation exploration becomes more rounded and thought provoking and requires analysis of how and why skills are chosen.
- The purpose of the year 9 Drama curriculum is to continue a love for the subject whilst also preparing students for G.C.S.E across the wider curriculum. Lessons aim to help students gain transferrable skills for the future- communication, interaction, empathy, social understanding, self-presentation and continuous building of self-esteem and confidence. Evaluative and Analytical language/structuring is also introduced into written work.
- The purpose of year 10 Drama is to Introduce the features of Comedy Drama in preparation for Scripted Assignments 1 and 2. We also use this year to explore knowledge of theatre in greater depth and explore different genres/styles in order to respond to the Contexts of set texts. Discovering misconceptions or gaps in knowledge for written assessments is also a focus.
- The purpose of year 11 Drama is to prepare students in advance for all elements of their final examination. This year ensures that students are prepared to work independently without teacher input and under controlled assessment conditions. The main focus is upon applying learnt transferrable skills in order to explore ideas, devise Drama and refine performance skills and their individual practice as part of an individual and as part of a team.
Implementation
Assessment at KS3 is split into two main AAA areas- ‘Creating ‘and ‘Performing’. These are then split again into the more the specific skills of Vocal and Physical Skills, Awareness of Stage Skills, Discipline, Commitment, Leadership, Teamwork etc. Lessons are structured in a way that allows students to learn new skills and explore their use, before planning and preparing for formal assessments that are produced more independently. Feedback is given to students individually, as groups and through whole class discussion and peer assessment using the appropriate grading criteria. Evaluating students own and groups success is the closing skill in the cycle that forms the basis of all lessons/assessments at KS3. All skills implemented at KS3 are intended to prepare students for independent devising/script exploration at G.C.S.E.
At KS4 students explore their own individual style of acting when completing class performance activities and assignment briefs which are designed to meet assessment criteria of the chosen core unit. Students are encouraged to plan for, rehearse, refine and review their own development independently from lesson to lesson.
Impact
- Students at Seaham High school upon studying Drama will have developed their own self-awareness, confidence, creativity, empathy for others and knowledge of the theatre ready for future learning. They will be able to work as a team to time manage and problem solve, to best create the desired outcome. Speaking and Listening skills will have been enhanced in order to implement elsewhere in the wider curriculum of school life. Quality Assurance procedures demonstrate that students make good progress throughout their studies and attain high levels at or above their target.
SEAHAM HIGH SCHOOL
