 Drama @ The Streetly School
Welcome to the Drama Department page!
The Department staff:
- Miss N Chohan - Head of Department
- S. Bignell
- Mrs V Barnett
Drama is a popular and very successful subject within the school. All KS3 students have a one hour lesson per week at KS3. We offer Btec Drama and A level Drama and Theatre Studies and have excellent results at both levels.
We believe that Drama impacts on many aspects of our student’s education and expectations, and is a respected element of the school’s provision.
Our base is the Drama Studio in the Hundred Acre building and we have two dedicated areas in G Block for Drama.
Drama plays an important and respected part of extra-curricular activities, and students are encouraged to make the most of what is offered.
We look forward to 2009/2010. Our motto continues to be –
“Drama’s not easy – we’re just good at it.”
VISION FOR DRAMA:
Our vision for drama at Streetly school is:
-that all pupils will regard it as an enjoyable and positive subject
-that it will be seen as an important part of the curriculum by all pupils, parents, staff and Governors of the school
-that it will have an impact on the growth of social skills and creativity
-that extra curricular activities will encourage increasing numbers of students to benefit from voluntary involvement in an “arts” experience
-that examination courses will continue to thrive
-and that a good reputation within the community is built by forging active links with it
The courses we follow...
At Key Stage 3...
During Year 10 students develop their knowledge and understanding of acting. They explore a range of techniques, styles and genres as part of the BTEC First Certificate in Performing Arts acting course. The course runs over the two years and is divided in to 3 units.
Unit 1 - learning about acting (focusing on breathing techniques, movement skills, vocal awareness, genres, styles and drama techniques)
Unit 2 – scripted plays which allows students to explore and perform a published play as part of a Theatre Company.
Unit 3 – devising plays which gives the students the opportunity to create a performance based on an issue of their choice and perform this to a targeted audience.
All practical work is supported by written evidence which is collated throughout the units.
Year 7 – is the “imagination” year. Based on story, and story structure, We encourage students to keep the element of creative play, which they so quickly grow out of. We look at structure of story – the beginning, the middle, the end. We also introduce the History of Theatre.
Year 8 – concentrates on the development of skills and techniques to improve the standard of the performance work.
Year 9 – concentrates on issue based material and stimulus. Focusing on relationships and issues which often the students are encountering in real life. Drama gives them the opportunity to explore and discuss feelings and situations in an “imaginary” situation.
In each year students are expected to learn and use a variety of skills and techniques – to enable them to progress their approach to drama, and their performance skills.
It must be recognised however, that progress in drama cannot always be identified by progress in a particular skill. Therefore – Drama assessments are holistic by design, and depend to a great extent on the students own identified targets for improvement.
At Key Stage 4.
Drama cannot be done in isolation. Students have to have a high level of commitment to the subject and each other, putting in the extra time which is required to make the difference to their final grades. We ask for support from parents in ensuring that rehearsal commitments and coursework deadlines are honoured.
Year 10
Throughout Year 10 students explore through practical and written activities all the skills they will require to be successful in the final examination.
- All students are encouraged to work with a variety of groups and students.
- All students have to perform.
- All students need to complete all the written homework set to prepare themselves for the requirements of the final portfolios.
Year 10 is our practice year. In a supportive and encouraging environment students are given the opportunity to explore skills and techniques, to take risks with the roles they play, to extend the range of their performances and to challenge themselves to attain higher levels of achievement. Students are made aware throughout Year 10 that they will take examinations in October, December and March of their Year 11.
Year 11
Our current Year 11 students will take 3 examinations this year.
Paper 1 Unit 1 is a day of workshop activities designed to challenge the students’ understanding and use of Drama skills and techniques. This is then supported with a portfolio of written evidence. This is teacher assessed with video evidence provided for the examination board.
Paper 1 Unit 2 is a day of workshop activities designed to challenge understanding and practical application of skills and techniques focusing on a single play text.
Paper 2 is the final performance examination. Students will perform their work to a visiting examiner.
Support material for students is accessible in school and at home through the school “Moodle” site.
We inform parents by letter the actual dates or provisional dates as soon as possible in Year 11.
The Drama GCSE examination, including the submission of the portfolio, is completed before students leave in May.
Deadlines for the submission of sections of the portfolios will be given to the students after the examination.
We offer students extra time and support throughout their course. They have to have the commitment to the subject and each other to take these opportunities.
At Key Stage 5...
A Level Drama and Theatre Studies
Students study for the Edexcel A Level in Drama and Theatre Studies.
Details of the course can be found at – www.edexcel.org.uk
Students who have not studied Drama at GCSE are not exempt from taking the A Level, but may find the style and approach to the written work different to other subjects. A love of performing and a creative and enquiring mind are the most important requisites for success in this subject.
Many students who have studied GCSE find that the “leap” to A Level studies daunting and difficult at times. As with most subjects, keeping organized and up to date with notes and written work is vital for success and avoiding stress. Students need to research independently, to see as many plays as they possibly can and gain a good understanding of what theatre and performance communicates to its audience, how it communicates, and why the playwright and director want to communicate in they way they do.
The plays studied and performed are different each year in response to the size of the group and the mix of genders. The plays have to be challenging enough to develop the students’ abilities and fulfil the examination board’s criteria. Therefore they often tackle difficult issues and subjects, and contain strong language.
The A2 course involves a written examination in June.
For any more information please speak to the Drama staff or go to the Edexcel web site.
Currently we offer A level Drama and Theatre Studies with the EDEXCEL examination board. Our expectations and results are high.
Details of this examination can be found on their web site – www.edexcel.org.uk.
Students need the ability to research and learn independently to gain the most from this subject. Their understanding of Theatre and Theatre craft can only be developed by seeing theatre at any level. Whilst we ensure that each student has at least the minimum provision required – we hope that students will want to embed their enjoyment of theatre and attend as many performances – professional or amateur – to extend their experience and learning.
Extra Curricular Activities
We believe in the value and importance of work done outside the classroom, including workshops with outside agencies, school based clubs, theatre and workshop trips, performance work in the studio and school productions from “High School Musical” – February 2009, to “Julius Caesar” – October 2009 at The Old Rep in Birmingham. We strive to provide opportunities for students whenever possible. Please view our photos of past productions.
Enjoy our photos of some of our past activities please click here |
