Arts - Drama
Key stage 3
Students begin by being introduced to and learning the skills to perform on a theatre stage including ‘projection, blocking, body language, characterisation, following stage directions and reading from a script in ‘The Granny Project’. Following this, the students then move onto ‘Improvisation’, where they gain the skills to improvise and create a dramatic scene instantly. After learning the skills to improvise, this then develops into a devising unit where students will not only learn the skills to devise, but also how to work and communicate effectively as a group.
Students then enjoy a unit on Greek Theatre, where they have project making and performing with Greek Masks. Students then study Shakespeare, focusing on the play Macbeth and building the knowledge and skills to perform a soliloquy from the play.
Following this comes the 'Historical Theatre Unit' Students learn about Practitioners 'Stanislavski and Brecht'. Students will prepare and present a presentation about each practitioner to build on public speaking skills. Moving on from this, students are given a current news story/article which they then research and explore, turning into a devised piece of work using Brechtian techniques.
Year 9 begins with Musical Theatre and students study the text 'Blood Brothers' In this unit, they bring all the skills learned over the last three years to perform a scene from the Beginning and End of the play. Following this, students will look at extracts from the play DNA and explore the themes with naturalistic performance. Moving on from Naturalistic performance, students learn about Physical Theatre with a focus on Frantic Assembly chair duets and work directed by Steven Berkoff. Ending with ‘The curious incident of the dog in the night time’, students will practically explore the characters and themes in the play, using the skills learned from their physical theatre unit to being their work to life.
Key stage 4
At St Andrew’s, we off the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts. The qualification enables learners to develop their sector-specific skills, such as refining work and applying skills for a performance using realistic vocational contexts, and personal skills, such as working with others, working to deadlines, and responding to feedback through a practical and skills-based approach to learning and assessment.
The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them. What does the qualification cover? The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific applied knowledge and skills through realistic vocational contexts.
Learners will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in the following areas:
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development of key skills that prove their aptitude in performing arts, such as reproducing repertoire and responding to stimuli
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processes that underpin effective ways of working in the performing arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal and performance
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attitudes that are considered most important in the performing arts, including personal management and communication
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knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles.
The course consists of three components. In year 10 students will complete Component 1 ‘Exploring the performing arts’. In this component, students will study and explore three plays and choose one to research in further detail. Research includes style, genre, form, skills, processes and staging.
In component 2, students will prepare and perform a short extract from one of the chosen plays. Their process will be documented by video to allow the students to see and evaluate their progress.
In component 3 which is completed in year 11, students are given a set brief by the exam board and will research and devise a performance which demonstrates the skills learned over the course of the BTEC.
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