Drama
Drama
The LDA drama curriculum intends to inspire all pupils to appreciate and embrace the power and purpose of dramatic skill.
Curriculum Aims
The LDA drama curriculum builds on the national curriculum and intends to inspire all pupils to appreciate and embrace the power and purpose of dramatic skill.
The aim of the Drama curriculum is implemented through schemes of work that are differentiated at KS3 and include finer distinction within each unit for all year groups. There is an expectation that pupils will apply and understand appropriate drama vocabulary in their spoken and written evaluation and analyses. The curriculum allows opportunities for the investigation of techniques and development of skills through exploring a range of engaging stimuli, including the study of social issues; which are engaging and relevant to young people, whilst also setting Drama learning in real life situations. Curriculum planning and intent for Drama mirrors the Trust curriculum intent model by aiming to provide a curriculum, which is ambitious, and aspirational as well as allowing pupils to develop as global citizens through the acquisition of powerful knowledge while being health in mind, body and soul.
Curriculum Pathway
Click here to view the Drama Curriculum Pathway.
Curriculum Model 2022 – 2023
In KS3 pupils will experience one lesson of Drama per week. Pupils will also be exposed to a variety of drama styles and live performance experiences through our enrichment programme. During the options process in Year 9, we strive to encourage pupils to opted for Drama based on talent and a love for the subject.
Overview
Year 7
| Rationale: At the start of Year 7, pupils focus on the introduction of the fundamental drama skills through the study of Skill Development. Pupils develop an understanding of the basic principles and purposes of Drama. This unit focuses on establishing routines, building relationships through games, small group/ whole class activities and it provides opportunity for pupils to develop the ability to work with others to create a performance. Once pupils have acquired the basic skills within drama, they move on to develop their understanding of how to effectively tell a story on stage via the Storytelling unit! Later, pupils study the unit of work, Response to a Stimulus which introduces a wider range of creative skills that are applied in response to a variety of different stimuli from the Roald Dahl story, ‘The Twits’. During the Abstract Theatre unit, pupils explore Stage combat, fight craft or fight choreography. This is a specialised technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays. Stage combat is a great discipline for actors to learn because it prepares them for future roles that include a variety of emotions. Script Work is the final study of Year 7 providing a great literacy focus and allowing pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to interpret a script. |
Year 8
Rationale: At the start of Year 8, pupils focus on recalling drama skills taught in Year 7, in addition to learning new drama skills through the study of Skill Development. Pupils further develop the ability to work with others to create a performance. Later on, pupils develop their understanding of how to effectively tell a story on stage via the Storytelling unit! Pupils will study the unit of work, Response to a Stimulus which further develops a wider range of creative skills that are applied in response to a variety of different physical stimuli. During the Abstract Theatre unit, pupils explore the abstract characters from the story, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. In addition, pupils will refer to the use of small scripts to complement the knowledge acquired earlier and to help in preparation for the following unit in Year 8. Script Work is the final study of Year 8 providing a great literacy focus and allowing pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to interpret a script and apply stage directions to their performances. Pupils will also gain knowledge of the staging terminology.
Year 9
| Rationale: At the start of Year 9, pupils are introduced to a variety of Drama Practitioners with a focus on Brecht and Stanislavski. Different genres and drama techniques are explored, compared and applied to performances created by the pupils throughout the Exploring Style/Genre/Practitioner unit. During the second Exploring Style/Genre/Practitioner unit, pupils recall the fundamentals of the drama classroom allowing them to develop their existing understanding of the basic principles and purposes within Drama. Pupils focus on developing characterisation skills from year 7 and 8 and explore the context and additional techniques introduced by famous practitioners Stanislavski and Brecht. Script Work is the final study of Year 9 allowing pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of the play, ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell. This play allows pupils to develop their local knowledge of Liverpool and gain an understanding of what Liverpool was like in the 1970s. |
KS3 Modular Overview
Click here to view the detailed overview of the Drama curriculum content taught throughout KS3. Each modular overview provides information on the knowledge and skills taught at each stage within the intended curriculum.
Faculty:
- Miss J. Taylor: Head of Expressive Arts
- Ms N. Chase: Lead Teacher of Art
- Miss A. Boag-Munroe: Lead Teacher of Music
- Mrs R. Greenhalgh: Teacher of Art and Technology
- Miss T Holland: Teacher of Drama
- Mr S Proctor: Teacher of Music
- Mr J. Torode: Expressive Arts Technician/PE