Drama

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.

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.

In year 9 students continue to build on their skills and prepare to potentially continue their studies into BTEC 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.

The BTEC Performing Arts course enables students to work independently and develop further theoretical and practical knowledge. Students become more creative when developing innovative outcomes through experimentation, exploring a wide range of techniques and processes. The clear and focused use of supporting written work enables students to delve more deeply into the purpose and process of the work they are completing.  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.  Students have access to a wide range of media, resources and specialist equipment in order to allow for their creative ideas to come to fruition.
The course has three components, each of which offers interesting and engaging content and allows students to comprehend a range of styles, conventions and genres. Students will investigate numerous themes and issues through professional study and practical application considering aspects such as: How do I develop an understanding 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 make my work innovative?  How do I create work for a target audience?  What is the best way to plan and prepare my character?  How do I structure storyline and meaning? 
There are two coursework elements which allows students to bank grades before they start component 3 which is an externally marked unit. This BTEC is equivalent to 1 GCSE grade. 

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.