Head of Drama: Laura Blake (l.blake@swr.gloucs.sch.uk)
Teacher of Drama: Mrs Katie Williams (k.williams@swr.gloucs.sch.uk)
Our Intent
To provide a drama curriculum that encourages our students to be aspirational, resilient, and collaborative. We aim to embrace every student’s ability and challenge them to be the best version of themself.
Extra-Curricular
We strive to provide a variety of extra-curricular activities to allow students to embrace all areas of drama from acting to directing to devising and designing. Students can participate in our Drama Club ‘Drama lama’, the SWR Arts Star and can audition for our productions. We have offered a range of productions for students to participate in, from whole school productions to whole school musicals to productions for the Shakespeare School Foundation.
Key Stage 3 Drama
An introduction to Drama
We cover a variety of areas of Drama and Theatre which prepares students with the necessary background knowledge and experience to approach Drama GCSE. In addition, it contributes to key skills that are necessary in other curriculum areas and enhances life skills. Lessons are structured focusing on a practical learning style, along with reflection and analysis of the work of others.
Please see detailed information for each year group below.
| Unit | Y7 |
| 1 | Drama Conventions
Students are introduced to basic drama conventions and terminology via practical tasks |
| 2 | Genre
Students explore Genre and the changes in performance style to communicate genre effectively |
| 3 | Character Presentation
Students explore voice, movement, facial expression, costume, and gesture to create and present character. |
| 4 | Text Study: Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations By Alan Ayckbourn
Students explore an entire text considering the directors, designers, and actor’s approaches |
| 5 | Status
Students are introduced to basic performance strategies (proxemics, levels, semiotics) through an exploration of character status |
| 6 | Design
Students explore and utilise theatrical design elements: Lighting, Sound, Set, Costume, Make-up, Props and Special effects |
| Unit | Y8 |
| 1 | Theatre Spaces
Students develop an understanding of a variety of Theatre Spaces via practical application |
| 2 | Approaching Script
Students explore a variety of script types by interpreting, directing, designing and performing extracts |
| 3 | Physical Theatre
Students study the art of physical theatre via practical application |
| 4 | Travel
Students focus on sustaining character through basic improvisation |
| 5 | Text Study: Our Day Out By Willy Russell/Chicken by Mark Wheeller
Students explore an entire text considering the directors, designers and actors approaches |
| 6 | Media
Students explore the impact of drama on an audience using media forms and media stimuli |
| Unit | Y9 |
| 1 | Directing
Students develop an understanding of the role of a director, focusing on directorial approaches and practitioners |
| 2 | Improvisation
Through spontaneous and planned improvisation, student utilise the 5 key improvisation skills |
| 3 | Text Study: Mugged By Andrew Payne
Students explore an entire text considering the directors, designers and actors approaches |
| 4 | Theatre in Education
Utilising the ‘knife crime’ theme, students explore and create a piece of Theatre-in-Education |
| 5 | Devising
Students develop an understanding of the process of devising via plot, character and theme driven drama |
| 6 | Speech and Language
Students explore the strategies used to develop confidence in approaching speech and language |
Key Stage 4 Drama
GCSE follows the specification as set out by OCR. The course focuses on six areas of study and is split into three separate units.
Please see detailed information about the GCSE Drama qualification below.
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 | |
| Year 10 | Theatrical Conventions and Terminology
Students focus on recapping, developing and securing the Theatrical conventions and terminology through practical workshops, independent study and focusing of theatre practitioners. |
Unit 3: Performance and Response: Section A Blood Brothers By Willy Russell
Students explore the set text through practical workshops considering the text from an actors, designers and directors perspective. |
Unit 3 Performance and Response: Section B Theatre Review
Students view and review live theatre as a holistic process. This is completed through discussion, analysis, research and written response. |
Unit 1 Devising Drama: Preparation
Students will explore the stimuli provided by OCR via practical workshops. |
Unit 1 Devising Drama: Practical
Students will select one stimuli to workshop. The outcome will be the creation of their own drama. Students will focus on a clear intention for their drama and consider the impact they wish to achieve for their audience. |
Unit 1 Devising Drama: Written Response
Students will complete their written portfolio that tracks the process of their devised drama. |
| Year 11 | Unit 3 Performance and Response: Section A and B
Students revisit the set text, exploring key scenes through practical and written response. Students will also revisit the drama terminology in preparation for the theatre review. |
Unit 2 Presentation and Performance: Preparation
Students will explore a variety of texts to identify specific genre, performance style and character. |
Unit 2 Presentation and Performance: Practical
Students will study their set text and focus on showcasing two extracts. |
Unit 2 Presentation and Performance: Written response and Performance
Students will identify their intention for their text performance and will present their work to a visiting examiner from OCR. |
Unit 3 Performance and Response: Revision Section A and B
Students will review the set text and the theatre visits completed during the course in preparation for the written paper. |