Drama

Our Drama curriculum is designed to ensure that every student, regardless of background or prior experience, develops the knowledge, skills and confidence to communicate, create and perform with purpose. It builds progressively from the foundations of performance established at KS3, developing students’ physical and vocal skills, creativity, collaboration and understanding of theatre. Sequenced carefully from KS3 to KS4, the curriculum prepares students for the demands BTEC Performing Arts, embedding the knowledge and practical skills required for successful performance, devising and evaluation of Drama and Theatre.

We believe that studying Drama opens doors to different perspectives, experiences and ways of understanding the world. Through a rich range of plays, practitioners, theatrical styles and contemporary issues, students explore the lives and experiences of others while developing their own voice and artistic identity. From Stanislavski to Brecht, John Godber and contemporary theatre-makers, students encounter theatre that challenges, entertains and encourages them to question the world around them. Through performance, students develop empathy, resilience, creativity and the confidence to take risks, work collaboratively and express their ideas.

At Thornleigh, Drama gives young people the opportunity to understand both themselves and the world around them through the power of performance. Students learn to communicate with clarity and impact, make purposeful artistic choices and respond thoughtfully to the work of others. They develop the discipline to rehearse, refine and evaluate, alongside the creativity to devise original work and explore different theatrical possibilities. By the end of KS4, students should be confident performers, independent theatre-makers and articulate young people who can use their voice, creativity and understanding of performance with purpose and confidence.

Key Stage 3

Curriculum Intent

At KS3 level of study Pupils should develop the creative, communication and performance skills established through their previous experiences of Drama and the arts, becoming confident and increasingly independent performers and theatre-makers. Learners will develop their physical and vocal skills, explore a range of plays, practitioners and theatrical styles, and understand how performance communicates meaning to an audience. Pupils should collaborate effectively, respond to feedback and refine their work through rehearsal, developing the confidence to express ideas, explore different perspectives and prepare for further study in the Performing Arts.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7

Term	Focus	Study
Autumn	Core Physical/Vocal Skills and drama techniques	Matilda and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Spring	Introduction to Mime and exaggerated physical skills.	Mime/ Slapstick Comedy and The Play That Goes Wrong
Summer	PSHE Cross-curricular link with bullying and applying core knowledge and skills to a contemporary script.	Bullying/ The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty

Year 8

Term	Focus	Study
Autumn	Introduction to new drama techniques through PSHE cross-curricular links	Anti-Social Behaviour and Alfie’s Story
Spring	Applying the physical and vocal skills to a script and character development.	Willy Russell: Blood Brothers/ Our Day Out
Summer	Devising theatre using fundamental skills through exploring Verbatim Theatre	Verbatim Theatre: Manchester Ariana Grande Attack/ Mark Wheeler

Year 9

Term	Focus	Study
Autumn	Introduction to Multi-role and exaggerated stereotypical characters.	John Godber: Bouncers/ Teechers
Spring	Physical Theatre and applying fundamental techniques to a script and exploring a play from a design perspective.	Lord of The Flies
Summer	Introduction to musical theatre: acting, singing and dancing skills and live review.	A range of Musical Theatre Productions.

Key Stage 4

Curriculum Intent

At KS4 level of study, pupils should build on the creative, communication and performance skills developed at KS3, becoming increasingly confident, skilled and independent performers and theatre-makers. Learners will develop and refine their physical and vocal skills, explore a range of plays, practitioners and theatrical styles, and apply these to performance and creative work.

Pupils should develop their understanding of professional Performing Arts practice, collaborate effectively, respond to feedback and evaluate and refine their work through rehearsal. The curriculum should prepare pupils for Pearson BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts, developing the practical, creative, analytical and evaluative skills required to explore professional performance work, develop performance techniques and respond creatively to a brief.

Curriculum Overview

Year 10

Term	Focus	Study
Autumn	Developing core fundamental skills and techniques. Introduction to naturalism/ non-naturalism. Baseline assessment.	Skills building lessons in preparation for Baseline Assessment. Introduction to the play Two by Jim Cartwright.
Spring	Delivery of Component 1 Exploring The Performing Arts	Exploring a live theatre show and the creation/development process of making the production.
Summer	Introduction to Theatre Styles and Practitioners.	Study a range of plays in the style of: Brecht Stanislavski Berkoff

Year 11

Term	Focus	Study
Autumn	Delivery of Component 2 Developing The Skills and Techniques in The Performing Arts	Students perform a text in practice for a play tailored to their strengths. Students evaluate the rehearsal process and overall performance.
Spring	Delivery of Component 3 Responding to a Brief	Students devise their own original piece of theatre based on a brief and evaluate the development and overall product of their performance.
Summer	Course Complete	Course Complete

For any other questions about the delivery of Drama / Performing Arts at Thornleigh Salesian College please email mgriffin@thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk - Head of Drama.