Curriculum
Drama enables students to develop key skills, such as confidence, communication, problem-solving and team-work, that are highly desirable to employers, colleges and universities
The skills developed are applicable to a wide range of employment and education sectors, not just the creative industries.
Our links with Birmingham Hippodrome Education Network allow us to offer incredible performance opportunities, both within the Academy and the local community, as well as regular contact with professionals currently working within the Creative Arts industries.
Curriculum overview
In Key Stage 3, Drama is taught on rotation with other Arts subjects. All students study Drama for half of the year.
| |
Scheme of Work 1 | Scheme of Work 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Page to Stage Practical exploration of a scene from a play. |
Night Circus An introduction to devised drama. |
| Year 8 | Myths and Legends Storytelling skills, using the given circumstances. |
Art Gallery Development of devising skills. |
| Year 9 | Genres Practical exploration of a range of genres and styles. |
Did you hear the story? Practical exploration of a script. |
| |
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 10 | Styletasters Practical exploration of theatre practitioners. The Art of Devising Theoretical study of the decisions involved in devising a performance. |
Unit 2: Creating (30% of qualification) Devising drama based on a given stimulus. |
Investigating Texts – Exploration of a range of play scripts. | Unit 1: Performing – (30% of qualification) – Performing a script. Tasks 1 and 2. | ||
| Year 11 | Unit 1: Performing – (30% of qualification) – Performing a script. Tasks 3, 4 and 5. | Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice – (40% of qualification) Responding to a commission. Developing a pitch for a live performance idea. |
|
|
||
| Year 12 | CAPA 310 – Approaches to Acting Detailed exploration of different acting approaches. CAPA306 – Planning for a career in the Performing Arts Research project based on careers in the Creative Industries. |
CAPA315 – Elizabethan or Jacobean Study and performance of Elizabethan or Jacobean theatre. CAPA314 – Drama in the Community Devising a community drama performance. |
||||
| Year 13 | CAPA309 – Greek or Roman Theatre Study and performance of Greek or Roman theatre. CAPA311 – Audition Techniques (Acting) Preparing and performing audition material. |
CAPA304E – Performance Preparation (Externally assessed unit) | CAPA307 – Acting for Camera | |
||
KS4 COURSE
At KS4 we deliver the Eduqas Level 2 Technical Award in Performing Arts. The qualification is made up of 3 units:
Unit 1: Performing
Students will learn the skills and techniques needed to produce a successful performance of an existing play. Assessment will be based on the performance of a scene from their chosen play script, an introduction to the scene and an evaluation of their performance.
Unit 2: Creating
Students will learn how to create a refine their own original performance work. Assessment will be based on the development of a 3–10 minute devised performance, including written explanation of their contribution to the process and an evaluation of the performance.
Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice
Students will be taught how to respond to a commission, learning about the pitching process as well as developing a show piece for performance. Assessment will be based on a live pitch to a panel, including a short performance and presentation of ideas.
What can the subject lead to?
Studying Drama can lead directly to a career within the Performing Arts industry, in one of thousands of roles, not just that of an actor. The Creative Arts industry currently the fastest growing industry in the UK, accounting for 1 in 11 jobs.
Studying Drama can also lead to Level 3 Performing Arts courses.
Crucially, studying Drama can support a student’s progression into any career or Level 3 course due to the desirable skill set that students develop as part of their studies. These include, but are not limited to, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, communication skills, presentation skills, resilience, leadership, and self-management.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
The course is 100% coursework based, with evidence being presented through a mixture of written coursework and video evidence of performances and presentations. The first two units are assessed by teaching staff and the final unit is carried out under controlled assessment conditions and is sent to the exam board for assessment.
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
Students who choose to study Drama must have a passion for the subject, enjoy a practical approach to their learning and be able to work with others. Students will need to perform to a live audience on several occasions throughout the course, so must enjoy performing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Shireland Collegiate Academy has a partnership with Hippodrome Education Network. This partnership enables us to offer professional experiences to the students, with performance opportunities and regular contact with professional performing artists. There are several opportunities to watch live professional performances at the theatre, as well as behind the scenes tours of both theatres and television studios.
Mrs Banbury
Studied Performing Arts at De Montfort University, subsequently gaining a PGCE in Secondary Drama from Birmingham City University. Before teaching she gained industry experience, working on touring productions in both acting and physical theatre. She has been teaching at Shireland since 2003.