Drama
Subject Leader: Miss L Jones
Subject Leader Email Address: lyn.jones@swale.at
All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.
William Shakespere
Subject Overview
Studying drama gives students skills beyond that of just becoming a performer or working in the entertainment industry, although this is a large part of what we aim to do. Transferable skills such as working as a team, leadership training, communicating effectively and understanding emotions and social issues are equally present and valid for any future career. The drama department is a space where students develop an understanding of the wider world and creative force within themselves. Confidence, determination, resilience and becoming more open minded is as important as the knowledge base. At TSS we take our training seriously with the aim of creating performers, directors, producers and writers of the future. A clear link between the work we are undertaking and industry professionals allows us to make sure that our training and education is of the highest quality.
Year 7
In year 7 students focus on the three dynamics: acting skills, devising skills and developing scripted performances. We aim to introduce key techniques and explore knowledge alongside growth in personal confidence and communication skills. Students have the opportunity to find their personal creative voice and share the potential within these ideas to a broader audience, beginning to consider how to communicate character and meaning and the best ways to plan and produce work with a key purpose.
Year 8
In year 8 students continue to develop the three dynamics. We deepen the understanding of how to explore meaning and purpose when developing performance work, and explore how to present yourself well in numerous settings. Further techniques linked to communicating ideas and concepts through a broader understanding of professional practice are included. Developing personal creativity is a focus for moving forward and understanding the world in a broader context.
Year 9
In year 9 students continue to build on their skills and prepare to potentially continue their studies into Performing Arts. We focus more heavily on assessment and feedback, analysing progress and outcomes. The work becomes more project based and allows students to begin to take more responsibility for the work they create. A deeper understanding of knowledge and techniques encourages students to view their work in comparison with professional working practices and the dynamic performance material in the performing arts industry. We explore the career opportunities that lie ahead in this country and beyond for our students, including examining ex-students and the careers they have forged.
Year 10/11
Course title
RSL LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE
IN CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS - Acting
Exam / coursework percentage
50% Coursework marked internally 50% Coursework marked externally
Brief explanation of what the subject involves:
RSL acting is a course where the focus is on professional working practices for acting on stage and screen. It has numerous opportunities for you to explore your creative side using a range of different styles and techniques. You will be investigating a range of themes where you will be creating your own responses, developing performance work and communicating with audiences. We explore how to write about different plays and characters and explore ways of writing about your own progress. Students get marked for written work as well as both rehearsal work as devisers and directors and performance work as actors.
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Different practitioners
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Contemporary plays
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Classical plays
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Acting for film and TV
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Devising work
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Design work
Students wishing to study acting should be creative and potentially want to pursue a career in the creative industry.
Sixth Form
The sixth form BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts course enables students to develop their independent creativity whilst continuing to explore theoretical understanding and high level technical performer training. The focused use of supporting written work enables students to further delve into the purpose and process of the work they are completing whilst broadening their theoretical knowledge of a wide range of social, moral, cultural issues. In addition to studying the techniques of effective performance work, students will learn a range of skills that prepare them for future study or employment, including excellent communication and writing skills, constructing an argument, research and problem solving skills, investigation and analytical and interpretation skills.
At TSS students will cover eight units in performing arts. Year 12 focuses on the three externally marked units and the completion of two internal coursework units. In year 13, students re-sit the external units if necessary and complete three further internal coursework units.
Each unit is designed to stretch and challenge with engaging content that allows students to deepen their understanding of a wide range of styles, conventions and genres. Students will continue to investigate numerous themes and issues through professional study and practical application considering aspects such as: How do I continue to analyse and explore creation of atmosphere and mood? How do I use research tools to explore further understanding? What is a purpose and what decisions can I make to fulfil these purposes fully? How can I continue to make my work innovative based on clear knowledge of current practice? How do I create work for a wider range of target audiences? What is the best way to plan and prepare my character? How do I explore variety in structuring storyline and meaning?
The five coursework units allow students to bank grades before they resit external units in year two. This BTEC is equivalent to 2 A levels.