Drama
Drama at Beaumont is about creating confident and creative young people. The transferable skills learnt in Drama are invaluable in many areas of employment. Through Drama, students will develop skills of team work, discipline, working to deadlines, empathy and resilience.
Key Stage 3
Year 7
In Year 7 students are introduced to basic drama skills through the following topics:
- Darkwood Manor
- Speak out!
- Dr Duban
- Superheroes
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Grimm Tales
Students are taught a range of skills including:- mime; vocal projection; still image; improvisation; scripted performance; characterisation.
Download the Year 7 Vocabulary List here.
Year 8
During Year 8 students develop their drama skills through the following topics:
- Creating a role
- Theatre Design
- Physical Theatre
- Commedia
- Soap Opera
- My Name is …
In addition to the skills gained in Year 7 students should be able to:- respond imaginatively to a variety of stimuli; invent and develop credible roles; use language appropriate to given situations; be aware of and know how to use a variety of dramatic techniques; have an understanding of how to use devising and rehearsal processes; increase evaluation skills of own work and that of others.
Download the Year 8 Vocabulary List here.
Year 9
During Year 9 students develop their drama skills through the following topics:
- Stabbing at the Disco
- Drama from a Stimulus
- Devising Drama (sample GCSE lessons)
- Scripted Unit (based on exploring topical and relevant texts which change annually)
- Live Theatre Review
In addition to the skills gained in Year 8, students should be able to: adopt and sustain convincing roles; be confident when performing; use a variety of dramatic structures and techniques; have an understanding of how to use drama to explore ideas and issues; have an understanding of and ability to use a comprehensive drama vocabulary; analyse practical activities in an informed, critical manner in discussions and written work. They will also be introduced to key practitioners from the world of Theatre and get to explore new styles and methodologies.
Download the Year 9 Vocabulary List here.
Assessment
Assessment is on-going. A baseline assessment is made at the start of the year. Every half term students are assessed through either their practical or written work completed in class.
Peer and self-assessment is encouraged every lesson. There is a written Drama exam in Year 7 and 8 exam week.
Home Learning
There is no Home Learning in KS3
Key Stage 4
Examination Board: OCR
Students can choose to be assessed as either a performer or designer in the non-examined components. The qualification is made up of 3 components. Theory and practical work will be integrated throughout the course and all texts studied will be explored practically.
Component 1: Devising Drama 30% Students will create a devised performance in groups. Performances will be between 5 and 15 minutes in length. All students create a portfolio which is evidence of the devising process. Assessment: 40 marks – portfolio 20 marks – final performance
Component 2: Presenting and Performing Texts – 30% Students will take part in 2 performances of 2 extracts from a text, at least one of these must be as part of a group. Students will also produce a concept document which outlines their intentions. Assessment: 20 marks – interpretation of text for performance. 40 marks – demonstration of the chosen theatrical skill.
Component 3: Drama: Performance and Response – 40% One exam at the end of the qualification. The exam is 1 hour 30 minutes. Section A – 50 marks Preparing and performing a set text. The questions will focus on working as a director, performer and designer. Section B – 30 marks The students will review a performance they have seen on their course. They will be assessed on their ability to analyse, evaluate and use subject specific vocabulary.
Assessment
Component 1 is completed in the Spring and Summer term of Year 10
Component 2 is completed in early Spring of Year 11
Component 3 is completed in May/June of Year 11
Home Learning
Home Learning in Drama will be to support work completed in class. This may involve exam based questions, learning lines, extra rehearsals or design work and theatre visits.
Key Stage 5
Drama and Theatre A-Level at Beaumont School is a consistently popular option. There is an extensive theoretical study of plays, practitioners and the history of theatre alongside a collaborative, professional, practical exploration of theatre making.
Examination Board: Edexcel
Component 1: Internally assessed and externally moderated. Devise an original performance piece. Use one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. Performer or designer routes available. Portfolio and practical performance.
Component 2: Visiting Examiner . A group performance or design realisation of one key extract from a performance text. A monologue or duologue performance or design realisation from one key extract from a different performance text.
Component 3: Written exam. Live theatre evaluation. Practical exploration and study of a complete performance text – focusing on how this can be realised for performance. Practical exploration and interpretation of another complete performance text, in light of a chosen theatre practitioner – focusing on how this text could be reimagined for a contemporary audience.
Assessment timeline
Component 1 is completed in the Spring and Summer term of Year 12
Component 2 is completed in early Spring of Year 13
Component 3 is completed in May/June of Year 13
Home Learning
Home Learning in Drama will be to support work completed in class. This may involve exam based questions, learning lines, extra rehearsals or design work and theatre visits.
Extra-curricular enrichment
Year 7 Club and show, Year 8 Club and show, Junior Drama Company and the Upper School play happen every year. We then alternate between a whole school play and musical each year. We have had huge success with our 48 hour musicals that happen every 2/3 years.
We run numerous theatre trips throughout the year and workshops are run at school by professional theatre companies.
We also run a residential trip to Lake Garda for KS4 Drama and Music students every 2 years.
There is also a Technical Theatre Club
Stretch & Challenge
LAMDA classes for Year 8 – 13
NYT and YMT audition coaching
Captains and Assistant Captains run our lower school Drama clubs supported by staff
Where can Drama take you?
As previously mentioned the ‘soft ‘skills learnt in Drama are transferable to most areas of employment. Particularly strong links are found to Law, journalism and advertising. The creative industries are a diverse and ever expanding field, offering opportunities ranging from costume design to digital projection design.
Former Beaumont students have experienced success in numerous areas including:
Zoe Jackson MBE – Founder of Living the Dream
Jack Hardwick – Professional actor
Jack Knowles – Professional Lighting Designer
Anna Fordham – Professional actor and musician
We have many other alumni in the performing arts industry and training at Drama schools. Support and advice is always available.
How parents can support their child’s learning?
Encouraging your child to get involved in Drama at school either onstage or backstage will have huge benefits for their confidence and collaboration skills. If they enjoy Drama, getting involved in one of the many classes outside of school hours will offer further opportunities for development. Please do ask if you require any advice on opportunities in the local area.
Useful links
GCSE information: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-drama-j316-from-2016/
A level information: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-2016.html
Twitter: @BeaumontDrama
Instagram: BeaumontDrama
To see the frequently asked questions, please click here
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