Drama at Millom School
Drama has a strong reputation within the cultural life of Millom School.
Not only does Drama provide students with a wealth of practical presentation skills, and equip them with a valuable knowledge of theatre and performance, it also encourages a deep understanding of social, spiritual and moral values. Drama develops creativity, sensitivity and confidence. It affords students the opportunity to develop their communication skills and potential leadership qualities, to work as part of a team and to create performances. Most importantly though, students have the chance to experience the enjoyment that learning through Drama can bring.
Taught by:
All students study Drama at KS3.They receive a one hour lesson each week within their timetable.
In Year 7 the students are introduced to the three elements of the curriculum – making Drama, performing Drama and Responding to Drama. Foundations are laid in learning how to devise pieces of Drama and how costume, props and technical elements can enhance their work and aid meaning. Students are introduced to specialist terminology in order to build a dramatic vocabulary. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative group work and class cohesion.
In Year 8 students build upon the skills learnt in year 7 and are introduced to different forms of theatre including Melodrama. They are taught how to create the right space for their performances and how drama can be created for different purposes, for example ‘Theatre in Education’. Students begin to study play scripts in more detail and how to compose their own scripted work. Planning and structuring short coherent plays and devised dramas that use a range of techniques, for example – mime in physical theatre. Students should be able to write and perform their own short simple scripts.
In Year 9 students begin to examine world theatre and how it has influenced our own culture. They look at genres such as Commedia dell l’arte, Kathakali, Pantomime, mask theatre, political theatre, puppet theatre, shadow play as well as exploring staging and theatre spaces in more detail and are introduced to extended Shakespearian text and language. Students also learn about how Drama is used to explore issues and ideas. There is a greater emphasis on performing to a live audience and this takes the form of performing to younger year groups in the school and the wider community. Students will be taught how to discuss their work using more sophisticated technical vocabulary.
Students are taught in mixed ability form groups for the duration of KS3.
At KS4, we follow the Edexcel Level 2 BTEC Performing Arts specificationThis specification encourages students to develop their presentational skills and self-confidence. Communication and social skills are enhanced along with the students’ sense of group awareness. All controlled assessment work focuses upon practical application of drama skills. As such, the course itself should offer pleasure to anyone who enjoys stage and theatre work.To read more about KS4 Drama please click anywhere on the text.
Teaching is initially based around the exploration of a range of dramatic techniques and acting skills that build upon work completed during Key Stage 3 but open the students’ eyes far further to the possibilities of individual and group performance. Acting Skills and preparation for performance is the key theme of Year 10 with regular use of play scripts and devising stimuli as a foundation for further and in-depth study in Year 11. New ideas are delivered through workshop and discussion and then built upon in group work.
Both practical and written work is tested through continuous assessment. 75% of the course ids internally assessed and then moderated externally. One of the four units covered is sent away to be examined by an examiner. Each practical assignment, whether performance or technical, is accompanied by a written reflection which encourages students to research theatre styles, theatre history and where appropriate; theatre from different cultures. This often extends to comparative study of live theatre productions seen during units of study.
Further reading:
100 exercises to get you into Drama School – 978-1408101322
It would also be helpful to students to visit the theatre independently and on top of school organised trips.
The Edexcel Drama and Theatre Studies course that we offer at Millom School is an exciting combination of academic study and practical activity, developing valuable life skills: team-work, self-confidence, communication and application of theory to practice. Drama is appreciated as contributing to students’ people skills – vital in many careers including medicine, law, teaching and business management. It is the obvious choice for anyone hoping to pursue a career in the theatre or the media, compliments arts and humanities subjects and provides a contrast to subjects such as mathematics and the sciences.Anyone with an interest in Drama and the world of the theatre is eligible for this course. A GCSE in Drama is not essential. However energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to engage fully with all aspects of the course are vital prerequisites, as is a commitment to attending a wide range of live theatre productions. A readiness to devote extra time to rehearsals is required. Although the focus is on practical activity in class, completing all written assignments to a high standard is crucial to success.
To read more about KS5 Drama please click anywhere on the text.
AS Unit 1: Exploration of Drama and Theatre – Unit code 6DR01
Internally assessed 40% of the total AS marks 20% of the total GCE marks
Content summary:
This unit introduces students to the content of plays written for the theatre. Students will learn how to analyse plays in a variety of ways so that they become familiar with the way play scripts can be interpreted for realisation in performance.
Assessment:
This unit is internally assessed and requires students to explore two contrasting play texts, chosen by the centre, in a practical and active way. A video/DVD of one session of the practical work and a set of Exploration Notes written by each student must be submitted. Students are also required to experience a live theatre performance and submit an evaluation.
Exploration of Drama and Theatre:
This unit will consider the ways that plays can be interpreted dramatically, making comparisons between various theatre practitioners.
AS Unit 2: Theatre Text in Performance Unit code 6DR02
This is an externally assessed unit, making up 60% of the total AS marks and 30% of the total GCE marks
Content summary:
This unit offers students the chance to demonstrate skills in a performance environment. The knowledge and understanding gained during the study of two plays in Unit 1 can now be applied with a view to delivering a performance to an audience.
Assessment:
This is an externally assessed unit. The first section requires students to offer either a monologue or duologue. The second section requires students to contribute to a performance of a professionally published play. Students may offer either acting or a design form and must also provide a concept of the interpretation of their chosen roles or designs.
A2 Unit 3: Exploration of Dramatic Performance Unit code 6DR03
Internally assessed 40% of the total A2 marks 20% of the total GCE marks
Content summary:
This unit requires the creation of a unique and original piece of theatre. The knowledge and understanding gained in the AS units can now be applied to a created production. Students will be assessed on both the process of creation and the finished product in the form of a performance to an invited audience.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the research and development of their work as well as the final performance in front of a live audience. They are also required to complete an evaluation on both the process and performance of their work. Written evidence will be required reflecting the research and development work as well as a video/DVD of the final performance.
Exploration of Dramatic Performance:
This unit will comprise work on improvisation and further study of a particular style of theatre. It will build towards a devised piece inspired by a stimulus provided by the teacher.
The course will include workshops delivered by visiting theatre companies that focus upon aspects of theatre making and devising.
A2 Unit 4: Theatre Text in Context Unit code 6DR04
Externally assessed 60% of the total A2 marks 30% of the total GCE marks
Content summary:
This externally examined written unit requires the detailed study of one set play text and one prescribed historical period of theatrical development. It takes the form of a 2 hours and 30 minutes examination.
Assessment:
This unit comprises of three sections. Sections A and B require students to explore one play, from the point of view of a director in both an academic and practical way. In Section C, students study how a play is performed in a contemporary context in comparison to the original performance conditions of the play. A live performance of a play from the chosen period must be experienced.
Further information and reading:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/drama/Pages/default.asp
Edexcel AS Drama Study Guide (Rhinegold Educational) ISBN-13: 978-1906178376
Edexcel A2 Drama Study Guide ISBN-13: 978-1906178819
The Drama Handbook: A Guide to Reading Plays ISBN-13: 978-0198700708
The director’s craft: A handbook for the theatre – ISBN-13: 978-0415404396
Stanislavski: An Introduction (Performance Books) – ISBN-13: 978-1408106839