Drama
KS3
The curriculum for Drama at KS3 is designed to enable pupils to begin to develop the knowledge and understanding of theatre and the creative process in order to ensure that pupils can fully meet the assessment criteria at GCSE level. Each unit has been carefully mapped against the knowledge and understanding criteria stipulated at GCSE, and adapted to ensure that it is accessible for each year group. This will ensure pupils are developing a strong foundation for further study.
The Drama curriculum also supports the growth and development of each pupil as an individual, providing opportunities for pupils to develop their creative ideas in a supportive environment. Pupils learn key skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, time management, critical thinking thinking, problem solving and listening skills. Additionally, the programme of study improves the cultural capital of all pupils at SCHS by encouraging them to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement within the arts through their practice, as well as through opportunities to attend educational visits to the theatre to see professional work.
The intention of Drama at KS3 is also to provide opportunities for cross-curricular learning, with every unit linking with at least one other subject area within the school curriculum. The curriculum has been carefully designed to support learning in other subject areas as well as promote the school values and complement SMSC objectives.
For pupils with a disadvantaged background, the curriculum will ensure that they develop key communication skills and deepen their cultural experience. Pupils will develop an understanding of specialist language and key terminology to bridge the social gap between those who have access to the arts and those who do not. Pupils will have the opportunity to see professional work (with financial support offered to those who are pupil premium.) Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in school performances and watch the work of their peers as members of the audience.
KS3 Marking, Feedback & Assessment
At KS3, pupils create practical performances based on the skills that they are taught in each lesson. Pupils are continually assessed through their engagement and development of skill. Informal feedback is given verbally in every lesson. The teacher will model the skill and then observe the pupil. Feedback is given to correct or stretch depending on the pupils' needs. Alongside this, pupils develop their theoretical understanding of their skills through short written tasks that are completed as homework. Their understanding of their theoretical knowledge is checked at the beginning of every lesson through a retrieval practice activity. A formal assessment takes place at least once in every unit, usually once per half term. The formal assessment consists of a practical task that tests the pupils application of the key skills they have learned and a written quiz. The practical assessment is marked by the teacher using the framework detailed below. The written quiz is marked by the pupils during whole class feedback.
KS3 Drama is assessed using a discrete set of objectives derived from the GCSE Assessment Objectives. This ensures that all pupils are building a foundation of theoretical and disciplinary knowledge to allow them to be successful at GCSE.
GCSE Drama Assessment Objectives:
- AO1: Create and develop ideas to communicate meaning as part of the theatre making process, making connections between dramatic theory and practice.
- AO2: Apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance.
- 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.
At KS3, this is simplified to three key criteria:
- Creating (AO1)
- Performing (AO2)
- Responding (AO3, AO4)
KS3 Drama Assessment Framework
KS3 Homework
Pupils are given short homework tasks every week to strengthen their understanding of key concepts. For the most part, this involves recording the definition of a key skill in their Drama booklet and then explaining how they used it in the lesson. The purpose of these tasks are to enable pupils to practice writing for GCSE. Pupils are also set other tasks such as research, line learning and selecting and sourcing props and costumes. Homework is reviewed at the start of every lesson and verbal feedback is given.
KS4
GCSE Drama is a practical course that aims to develop pupil knowledge and understanding of all elements of the theatre including set, costume, sound and lighting design. Their practical explorations are underpinned by subject specific disciplinary knowledge and theory, to ensure that pupils develop their academic knowledge as well as their practical skills.This ensures that pupils are well prepared for further academic study of performing arts at A-Level. However, the beauty of GCSE Drama is that the skills and knowledge learned is transferable. Pupils 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, Pupils of GCSE Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills, applicable both in further studies and in the workplace.
At South Charnwood High School, we are fully committed to ensuring that our curriculum is completely inclusive, therefore GCSE Drama is accessible to all pupils including those with SEND or from a disadvantaged background. The disadvantage gap is bridged through Quality First Teaching and high quality teaching resources. The nature of the course allows for flexibility with assessments and these are implemented based on the individual need of the pupil. Theatre visits are a requirement of the course and these are fully funded for pupil premium pupils. This ensures that the arts are truly accessible to all pupils at South Charnwood High School.
Across the two years, pupils will develop their knowledge in three key areas:
- Understanding Drama
- Devising Drama
- Texts in Practice
KS4 Marking, Feedback & Assessment
For practical activities, Informal feedback is continually given verbally in every lesson. The teacher will model the skill and then observe the pupil. Feedback is given to correct or stretch depending on the pupils' needs. Formal feedback is given after every formal assessment and pupils are periodically given practical challenges that are marked against the GCSE assessment criteria. Detailed feedback is given verbally to pupils following practical assessments. For written work, both individual and whole class feedback is given. Exam wrappers are used to develop pupils' ability to critique and correct their own work. Pupils are also given the assessment criteria and encouraged to reflect on their own answers and then develop them further.
Pupils are assessed using the GCSE Drama Assessment Objectives set by AQA:
- AO1: Create and develop ideas to communicate meaning as part of the theatre making process, making connections between dramatic theory and practice.
- AO2: Apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance.
- 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.
Further information, including the mark schemes for each component, can be found here.
KS4 Homework
Homework tasks are designed to develop and deepen the knowledge and understanding of the work completed in class. Both verbal and written feedback is given as appropriate to the task.
Year 10 - term 1
Pupils are given homework tasks designed to deepen their understanding of the context of Blood Brothers. These tasks include the re-reading of key scenes as well as research and character development.
Year 10 – term 2
Pupils are will be required to learn lines for a practice of Component 3. They will also be given homework linked to the development of their understanding of the technical aspects of theatre.
Year 10 – term 3
Pupils will need to write up their developments of their practical work in order to complete their log book for Component 2.
Year 11 – term 1
Pupils will continue to work on their log book for Component 2.
Year 11 – term 2
Pupils homework will focus on revision for Blood Brothers and learning lines for Component 3.
Year 11 – term 3
All homework will be revision and examination prep focused.
