Drama

Drama is a successful and thriving subject with an experienced team of specialist teachers working in studio accommodation with controlled lighting facilities.

The Highgate Wood Drama department believes strongly in nurturing and encouraging students’ creativity, curiosity and self-confidence, within a framework where practical skills are learnt and developed and new knowledge is acquired. Our intentions are that by using drama as an exploratory tool and a rehearsal for real life, particularly at KS3, we can educate our students about the world they live in as well as opening their minds to new experiences. We also ensure students are introduced to a range of live and digital theatre experiences; essential for their enrichment and to develop a range of critical thinking skills.

Students use practical exploration and experimentation as directors and performers to acquire the skills, experience and knowledge needed to study a range of play texts or other resources, from Ancient Greek Theatre to Maya Angelou’s poetry. They also learn how to devise, adapt and perform new and existing drama, analysing and evaluating their own and others’ work and developing a critical appreciation of live theatre, including work by Chickenshed Inclusive Theatre Company. By working with stimuli and a range of genres, practitioners’ approaches and styles, including DV8’s physical theatre, students work in groups to acquire a practical, academic and vocational approach to theatre, thus developing an appreciation of drama and theatre for all.

Much of what we do in the drama department is about cultivating a love and respect for our subject and giving all of our students the opportunities and encouragement they need, to discover how this art form can enrich their lives. We increase every students’ cultural capital and help them develop the tools they need to work empathetically and productively, both as part of a team and independently. The fundamental skills that underpin our 7 year curriculum are: interpretation, creativity, analysis, evaluation and research; all vital transferrable skills that support our students to be imaginative problem-solvers and deep thinkers, who can demonstrate their ideas and knowledge with confidence.

Key Stage 3 is timetabled with three one-hour lessons per cycle in year 7 and two one-hour lessons per cycle in year 8 and 9. These lessons focus on a range of practical performance skills, including role development, improvisation and physical theatre. They also encourage verbal and written evaluation of performance, thus laying the foundations for the GCSE and A Level Drama curriculum.

This specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to A-level Drama. Students who go on to A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for the written paper. They have built solid foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and in interpreting key extracts. All of these aspects feature in the A-level as well as the GCSE.

Students learn to collaborate with others, think analytically and evaluate effectively. They gain the confidence to pursue their own ideas, reflect and refine their efforts. Whatever the future holds, students of GCSE Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills, applicable both in further studies and in the workplace.

Throughout year 10 and 11, students will use drama to explore ideas and issues in response to stimulus material selected from different times and cultures; study a published play to gain an understanding of the ways in which playwrights, performers, directors and designers use the medium of drama to communicate ideas to an audience; create a devised performance with an accompanying log and prepare a scripted performance. They will also view a professional production and be able to evaluate critically its worth.

Component 1: Written exam (open book, 1hr 45) – 40% (Externally assessed)

  • Section A: multiple choice (4 marks)
  • Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks)
  • Section C: one two part question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)

Component 2: Devising drama (practical with a devising log) – 40% (internally assessed)

Creating a devised performance in groups, which will be assessed through both a live performance and accompanying devising log. The log will be worth 75% of the total marks awarded for this unit, whilst the practical performances will be worth 25% of the total marks awarded for this unit.

Component 3: Texts in practice (practical) – 20% (Externally assessed)

Performance of two extracts from one play. These may be monologue, dialogue or group performances.

Students will develop their practical skills as makers and performers of drama; extend their understanding of drama and theatre; and learn to use research, exploration and analysis to form strong written responses to texts and practical work. The course provides a foundation for further study or a career in film or theatre and also essential skills to support public speaking, presenting, team-leading, problem-solving, creative thinking and self-expression. It will demonstrate to a future employer, educator or trainer that you have a broad skill set and are a rounded and resilient individual with an aptitude for creative, practical and theoretical work Qualities and skills required: You

Drama at A Level teaches and encourages students to be independent theatre makers with the knowledge and skills to progress to higher education. Our A Level Drama qualification emphasises practical creativity as well as research and theoretical understanding. Students learn through experience, seeing theatre and making theatre for themselves. Students are introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as they explore plays practically, devise and work on performances. Students choose to develop as a:

  • performer
  • designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets)
  • director
  • combination of these.

Whichever option they choose, students will gain many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.

Component 1: Drama and Theatre, written exam (open book, 3hrs) – 40% (externally assessed)

The exam has three sections that covers the following:

  • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
  • Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B
  • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Component 2: Creating original drama, practical exam (working notebook) – 30% (internally assessed)

Component 2 is a practical exam that makes up 30% of the final grade. Students are assessed on their process of creating and performing a devised drama influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner. In the exams students can choose to contribute as a performer, designer or director.

Component 3: Making theatre, practical exam and reflective report – 30% (internally assessed)

Making up 30% of the final grade students must explore and interpret three extracts taken from different plays. Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3 and will be performed by students for their final piece as a performer, designer or director. Students will also need to show their understanding through a reflective report by analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 is timetabled with three one-hour lessons per cycle in year 7 and two one-hour lessons per cycle in year 8 and 9. These lessons focus on a range of practical performance skills, including role development, improvisation and physical theatre. They also encourage verbal and written evaluation of performance, thus laying the foundations for the GCSE and A Level Drama curriculum.

Key Stage 4

This specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to A-level Drama. Students who go on to A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for the written paper. They have built solid foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and in interpreting key extracts. All of these aspects feature in the A-level as well as the GCSE.

Students learn to collaborate with others, think analytically and evaluate effectively. They gain the confidence to pursue their own ideas, reflect and refine their efforts. Whatever the future holds, students of GCSE Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills, applicable both in further studies and in the workplace.

Throughout year 10 and 11, students will use drama to explore ideas and issues in response to stimulus material selected from different times and cultures; study a published play to gain an understanding of the ways in which playwrights, performers, directors and designers use the medium of drama to communicate ideas to an audience; create a devised performance with an accompanying log and prepare a scripted performance. They will also view a professional production and be able to evaluate critically its worth.

Component 1: Written exam (open book, 1hr 45) – 40% (Externally assessed)

  • Section A: multiple choice (4 marks)
  • Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks)
  • Section C: one two part question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)

Component 2: Devising drama (practical with a devising log) – 40% (internally assessed)

Creating a devised performance in groups, which will be assessed through both a live performance and accompanying devising log. The log will be worth 75% of the total marks awarded for this unit, whilst the practical performances will be worth 25% of the total marks awarded for this unit.

Component 3: Texts in practice (practical) – 20% (Externally assessed)

Performance of two extracts from one play. These may be monologue, dialogue or group performances.

Key Stage 5

Students will develop their practical skills as makers and performers of drama; extend their understanding of drama and theatre; and learn to use research, exploration and analysis to form strong written responses to texts and practical work. The course provides a foundation for further study or a career in film or theatre and also essential skills to support public speaking, presenting, team-leading, problem-solving, creative thinking and self-expression. It will demonstrate to a future employer, educator or trainer that you have a broad skill set and are a rounded and resilient individual with an aptitude for creative, practical and theoretical work Qualities and skills required: You

Drama at A Level teaches and encourages students to be independent theatre makers with the knowledge and skills to progress to higher education. Our A Level Drama qualification emphasises practical creativity as well as research and theoretical understanding. Students learn through experience, seeing theatre and making theatre for themselves. Students are introduced to a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts as they explore plays practically, devise and work on performances. Students choose to develop as a:

  • performer
  • designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets)
  • director
  • combination of these.

Whichever option they choose, students will gain many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.

Component 1: Drama and Theatre, written exam (open book, 3hrs) – 40% (externally assessed)

The exam has three sections that covers the following:

  • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
  • Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B
  • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Component 2: Creating original drama, practical exam (working notebook) – 30% (internally assessed)

Component 2 is a practical exam that makes up 30% of the final grade. Students are assessed on their process of creating and performing a devised drama influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner. In the exams students can choose to contribute as a performer, designer or director.

Component 3: Making theatre, practical exam and reflective report – 30% (internally assessed)

Making up 30% of the final grade students must explore and interpret three extracts taken from different plays. Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3 and will be performed by students for their final piece as a performer, designer or director. Students will also need to show their understanding through a reflective report by analysing and evaluating theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.

Additional Information

For the vast majority of Year 7 students, Drama is a new subject. However, we do recognise that some students will arrive at Highgate Wood with informal performance experience through various primary school projects, church or other community arts groups. With this in mind, the department ensures that students are both stretched and supported through skilled, differentiated teaching methods.

The department attends professional theatre on a very regular basis and stages an annual school play. Students from Years 7 to 13 are eligible to audition for roles in the production. In addition to the school production, the department runs a weekly Drama Club for students in year 7 through to year 10.

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