Drama and Media

Drama (GCSE)

The key stage three Drama programme helps to develop student’s confidence and the ability to work co-operatively with peers.  Lessons are designed to enhance students understanding of drama throughout the ages, explore a variety of strategies, mediums and elements, and develop an understanding of different genres of drama through engaging with the work of key practitioners.

At GCSE, students follow the AQA syllabus, which provides a mixture of creative practical tasks and academic rigour. In Year 10, students will focus on Component 1: Understanding Drama through revisiting key-skills covered in KS3, learning about staging positions and configurations, understanding the different roles and responsibilities within the theatre and studying the set text for the written exam: ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russell.  ‘Blood Brothers’ will be explored practically with complementary written tasks to aid understanding.  They will go on to focus on different genres of Drama by exploring the work of Brecht, Stanislavski and Boal, before in the summer term, beginning to prepare for Component 2: Devising Drama.

In Year 11, students will complete their assessment of Component 2 through a practical performance and the completion of a written devising log.  This forms 40% of the GCSE assessment.  They will then go on to complete Component 3: Texts in Practice by performing two sections of a play either as a monologue, duologue or group performance.  This forms 20% of the GCSE assessment. Finally, students will revise for their Component 1 exam and watch a live performance for section 3 of the exam.  The exam forms 40% of the GCSE assessment.  All students will have at least one visit to the theatre during the GCSE course to watch a live performance. Students can achieve grades 9-1.

Extra curricula opportunities

Drama Club – open to all year groups and run by Drama Team Leaders.

Performing Shakespeare - An opportunity for KS3 students to perform monologues or duologues from a Shakespeare play, and enter the ESU Performing Shakespeare competition.

Public Speaking – Open to Year 10 and 11, with the aim of entering a team into the ESU Public Speaking Competition.

School Production - Supporting the Music department.  Students can audition and take part in whole school productions.

Media Studies (GCSE)

A two year GCSE course which studies the media's contribution towards and influence over globa popular culture, as well as its impact upon the British economy.  Students gain analysis and production skills as they study the key concepts of representation, audience, industry and media language.  Products covered include magazines, comics, newspapers, radio, TV, films, video games, marketing and advertising.