Drama Curriculum Map
Statement of Intent
Drama at St Mary’s focusses on the development of the whole person whilst raising the cultural capital of all who study it as well as developing the students into global citizens. The curriculum is vertically integrated and designed to develop both the practical skills needed for Drama as well as the knowledge of its historical development through the ages.
Drama is taught once a week in Year 7, once a week in year 8 and students select to study it as an option in Year 9 where they study practitioners in depth.
Drama in Key stage 3 is focussed on the promotion of social justice, increasing the students’ knowledge of the wider world and the development of both their performance and social skills. They should be culturally aware of themselves through exploration techniques identifying different character traits, behaviours and relationships. They should be able to understand different theatre styles and know how Drama can be used as a vehicle for change and has been throughout history. All pupils should have the experience of creating and performing both their own work and that of other playwrights. They should know how a play is transferred from the page to the stage. All students should have the opportunity to visit the theatre and to see theatre in a variety of styles. In Key stage 4 students study the WJEC/Eduqas specification.
In addition to the curriculum, Drama plays an active part in the extra-curricular life of the Academy. There is an annual musical, a Year 9 showcase and we are also the lead school within the Blackpool cluster of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s school programme and a member of the associate school’s programme. The Department runs regular theatre trips in the North West and we ran a successful theatre trip to London on a regular basis prior to the pandemic.
KS2 information
What have they learned at KS2 that we build on at KS3?
Being able to improvise, learn, develop and perform a character in a piece of theatre. Being able to use props and costumes to enhance performance. Pupils may be able to discuss the different aspects of characters and emotions through performance.
Year 7 Curriculum Map
Ghosts, Myths and legends
Key concepts
Storytelling from stimulus Devising a piece of theatre from stimulus Basic theatre conventions Speaking loudly and clearly Creating characters using voice and movement Exploration of the witches from Macbeth
Exploration of historical characters using A Night at the Museum.
Hot seating
Devising
Role on the wall
Performance of Devised performance of character
Pied Piper
Key concepts
Devising Theatrical conventions Using research to create believable characters
Creation of adverts using
Vocal skills
Body posture/gesture
Self/Peer Assessment
Group work
Line learning
Mind mapping
Creating believable characters
Silent Movie
Key concepts
Mime
Body language
Facial expressions
Year 8 Curriculum Map
Greek theatre
Key concepts.
The drama originated in Ancient Greece.
Everyone went to the theatre
Theatre was seen as a form of worship
All the Actors wore masks
The Greek chorus was the first chorus
Students experiment with Choral speaking.
Introduction to second text from Antigone
Performance of Antigone utilising:
Voice and Movement
Line learning techniques
Character Development using status.
Brief Pantomime workshop and performance introducing codes and conventions.
Shakespeare
Key concepts:
No female actors
Everyone can relate to Shakespeare
Everyone went to the theatre
Shakespeare is relevant today
Performance of Romeo and Juliet/A Midsummer Night’s Dream using:
Vocal skills
Enjambment and iambic pentameter
Stage fighting
Line learning
Characterisation
Historical and social context.
Year 9 Curriculum Map
Exploring and analysing texts
Key concepts
A play is meant to be performed.
There are different interpretations of a play.
A play can be performed in a variety of styles.
Performance of a section of the text using Vocal and physical skills and experimenting with types of staging. Written assessment as a preparation for the demands of GCSE.
Year 10 Curriculum Map
Introduction to GCSE
Key concepts
There are different styles of performance. Stanislvksi. Brecht and Epic theatre. Theatre in Education. Berkoff.
Assessment
AO2: Apply theatrical styles to realise artistic intentions in live performance. Demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of the work and application of three significant theatre practitioners
Devising Key concepts:
Devising is a way of creating Drama.
COMP 1
Group exploration of stimulus and theme of exam. Students decide on the chosen practitioner.
Creation and performance of a Devised piece using:
Freeze frame.
Thought tracking.
Mime.
Cross cutting.
Monologues.
Symbolism.
Narrator/Multi role.
Choral speaking.
Research
Refinement of devised project focussing on technical elements of sound, set and lighting.
Performance of devised piece for assessment.
AO2 Apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance
Evaluation of Devised piece
AO4 Analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others.
Year 11 Curriculum Map
Summer
Recap on Comp 3 with a focus on live theatre as well as the set test
Exam practice.
AO3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed AO4 Analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others.