What will students study in Drama this year?

In Year 9 students will develop their performing, directing and designing skills, building on what has been taught at KS3. The Year 9 Drama curriculum considers, and indeed goes beyond, GCSE subject knowledge requirements. Students will also develop their understanding of different practitioners including further study of Stanislavsky’s naturalistic theatre and Brecht’s Epic Theatre.

The process of practitioner exploration continues into Year 10 where they will study and apply methodologies of Frantic Assembly and Paper Birds. In Year 10, students will develop their devising skills and create a group performance that is a response to stimuli. Accompanying this, students will write a portfolio consisting of a 2000 word response to six questions. Students will also begin to explore a key play-text in readiness for the exam in Year 11.

In Year 11, the Drama exam requires students to write a critical evaluation of a live theatre performance and students will put together a set of preparation notes, having attended a compulsory theatre visit, in order to support their evaluation. Students will also develop their ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed and how to analyse the aforementioned live theatre performance in readiness for the written exam. 

What are the major assessments this year?

Y9: ‘Bringing Texts to Life’ exam based on the play Noughts on Crosses

Y10: Devised performance and portfolio (40% of the overall grade)

Y11: Scripted performance (20% of the overall grade). Written exam: Section A – Bringing Texts to Life (DNA by Dennis Kelly) / Section B – Live Theatre Evaluation

What do assessments test?

Bringing Texts to Life – students will explore how to perform and stage an extract from the play Noughts and Crosses

Year 10:

Devised performance – This is testing a student’s ability to apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance (AO2)

Devising portfolio – This is testing a student’s ability to create and develop ideas to communicate meaning for theatrical performance (AO1) and their ability to analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others (AO4)

Year 11:

Scripted performance - This is testing a student’s ability to apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance (AO2)

Written exam:

Section A – Bringing Texts to Life (DNA by Dennis Kelly) – This is testing a student’s ability to demonstrate knowledge of how drama and theatre is developed and performed (AO3)

Section B – Live Theatre Evaluation - This is testing a student’s ability to analyse and evaluate the work of others (AO4)

What are the expectations of my daughter in Drama?

In Drama, your daughter will regularly be expected to work in groups and as such she will be expected to engage with others’ ideas and contribute her own suggestions. She will be expected to be an attentive and responsive audience member. Your daughter will also be expected to perform in different roles and to present her ideas to the rest of the class. Even if your daughter chooses to be assessed on design options instead of as a performer, they will still be expected to explore the exam text through performance. Your daughter will be expected to rehearse outside of lesson times. Your daughter will be expected to attend a compulsory theatre trip, as a part of the Live Theatre Evaluation aspect of the course.

What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in Drama?

I would encourage her to speak to her teacher, as we are here to help and support. It is important that the students feel comfortable and relaxed in drama lessons so that they can work creatively and confidently.

How can I best support my daughter in Drama?

Taking your daughter to see live performances is an effective way to foster a passion for the subject. Reading a range of plays can also obviously help to extend a student’s subject knowledge. Another way you could help is by testing your daughter on their lines and/or on their subject-specific knowledge, by using resources provided.

Whom should I contact for further advice or information?

The class teacher or the Head of Drama and Music, Mr Boulter: hboulter@carshaltongirls.org.uk