Head of Drama
Ms A. Mian (amian@levenshulmehigh.co.uk)
Curriculum Overview
- Year 7 – 1 period of Drama a week delivered in Dream Day format
- Year 8 – 1 period of Drama or Music on rotation every fortnight
- Year 9 – 1 period of Drama or Music on rotation every fortnight
Options offered at the end of Year 9:
- GCSE Drama (AQA)
Topics Covered
Year 7
In Year 7, pupils follow the Dream Day curriculum.
In Drama they will explore and develop knowledge and skills though a range of topics inspired by the Dream Day Themes. Students will explore their place within school, within the wider community, and globally. Topics include: Mime, Matilda, Manchester Live!, Shakespeare and Story telling. All resources and preparation for sessions will be available on the VLE.
Year 8
In Year 8 students will continue to build on and develop their knowledge and skills of Drama and Theatre in fortnightly rotations. They explore these through a variety of themes and learn about different styles of Drama. All students develop performance skills and learn to evaluate their own practice as well as that of their peers. Topics include: An introduction to Gothic horror, with the exploration of script. Alice in Wonderland and A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night Time. Students will be asked to develop research and reflection skills and will be set a research and design project too.
Year 9
In Year 9 students continue to build of their drama knowledge through a series of projects which stretch their imagination and skill. They can choose to develop their focus in either performance or design over the course of the year. They develop analytical skills through critiquing and evaluating professional performance. As in Year 8, students will create a research project that they will present at the end of a unit of work. Knowledge and application of both scripted and devised work is the focus of the year. Topics include Bollywood, with a focus on melodrama and comedy, the study of scripted extracts that explore naturalism and bring a script to life from “Page to Stage” and a devised project entitled “Fake a Life”. They will be introduced to drama practitioners Artaud, Stanislavski and Brecht.
Options offered at the end of Year 9
GCSE Drama: We follow the AQA GCSE Drama course (8261)
The course is divided into three areas of study which are assessed independently of each other:
- Understanding drama
- Devising drama
- Texts in practice
What’s assessed
- Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
- Study of one set play from a choice of six
- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Open book
- 80 marks
- 40% of GCSE
Questions
- Section A: multiple choice (4 marks)
- Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks)
- Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)
Component 2: Devising drama (practical)
What’s assessed
Process of creating devised drama
Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer)
Analysis and evaluation of own work
How it’s assessed
- Devising log (60 marks)
- Devised performance (20 marks)
- 80 marks in total
- 40% of GCSE
This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.
Component 3: Texts in practice (practical)
What’s assessed
Performance of two extracts from one play (students may contribute as performer or designer)
Free choice of play but it must contrast with the set play chosen for Component 1
How it’s assessed
- Performance of Extract 1 (20 marks) and Extract 2 (20 marks)
- 40 marks in total
- 20% of GCSE
This component is marked by AQA.
Units studied in Year 10
Students begin the year with the preparation and performance of a scripted play. this is to develop practical skills and gain confidence in performance. They will be introduced to the roles and responsibilities within the world of Theatre.
The focus then turns to Devising Drama, which is worth 40% of the GCSE. Students work in groups to create a devised performance based on a range of stimuli. They also complete the devising log for this component.
Live performance review is explored and a mock question is prepared and delivered.
Students read and begin a practical exploration of the set text.
Units studied in Year 11
The year will begin with a focus on text in practice. Students work in groups or pairs to prepare an interpretation of two extracts from a play. A range of plays are chosen to best showcase students talents.
The focus then returns to the written exam: Understanding Drama. Students revisit the set text with a detailed focus on exam preparation. The live theatre review section is supported by a visit to the theatre as well as detailed exploration of the play seen. Students prepare for the written paper with ongoing exam practice to help revise and further develop knowledge of drama as well as develop exam technique.
