Drama
Introduction
“Drama is life with the boring parts cut out” – Alfred Hitchcock
The drama department at Isleworth & Syon is a vibrant and thriving area of the school which gives students the opportunity to nurture and develop their creativity, confidence and discipline. The curriculum offered across all three key stages is wide-ranging and challenging.
The subject equips you with skills that are essential to the real world; from simply working in a collaborative and supportive manner, to creative problem solving, project management and meeting deadlines.
The department is staffed by specialists in the field of drama, who are themselves experienced performers, writers, lighting designers and directors.
Beyond the requirements of the courses offered, students learn the skills required to work within the industry through an outstanding extra-curricular programme.
Recently, Isleworth & Syon students have taken places to study at Arts Ed, Mountview, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London Academy of Music and the Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Bristol Old Vic, and York. In addition, students have successfully auditioned for the National Youth Theatre, National Musical Youth Theatre and RADA Youth Company.
KS3
Summary
All students study drama for one hour a week in Years 7, 8 and 9.
The aims of the course of study are to:
- Inspire – To allow all students to explore their own creativity, to give them a greater sense of confidence and wonder.
- Cultivate – To develop skills needed in the wider world, such as working collaboratively. To nurture a love of live performance though looking at diverse theatre and drama from around the world.
- Celebrate – To allow all our students to be seen and heard achieving in front of an audience.
Curriculum Content
Year 7
Curriculum
1 – Arrival
An introduction to some of the most fundamental drama techniques. There will be a focus on working in groups through the theme of arrival.
2 – Folk Tales
Developing confidence and competence in the use of drama techniques through performing a number of folk tales from around the world.
3 – Ghost Stories
Exploring immersive storytelling and creating scripts about the ghosts of Isleworth & Syon.
4 – Slapstick comedy
Developing skill in comedy techniques, using commedia dell’arte and silent movies.
5 – Greek Theatre
A practical exploration of the style and techniques in Greek theatre, many of which are the foundation of modern drama.
Assessment
1 – Arrival
Assessment of rehearsal and baseline performance
2 – Folk tales
Final performance of a folk tale and an end-of-term test
3 – Ghost Stories
Assessment of monologue performance and written script, and an end-of-term test
4 – Slapstick comedy
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance, and an end-of-term test
5 – Greek Theatre
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance, and an end-of-term test
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA is set on alternate weeks.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 7 curriculum.
- National Theatre Discover: Greek Theatre – A series of films that give contextual details about Greek Theatre
Year 8
Curriculum
1 – Melodrama
Exploring the tropes and techniques associated with the genre of melodrama and its influence on modern performance styles.
2 – Theatre in Education – Being 13
Applied theatre scheme in which students explore issues around becoming a teenager.
3 – Darkwood Manor
Extended unit exploring genre, exploring techniques introduced in Year 7 but also introducing the technical elements of set, lighting and sound.
4 – Shakespeare
Exploring extracts from Shakespeare to demystify and celebrate the work of the most celebrated dramatist of all time.
5 – Frantic Assembly
Exploring the work of physical theatre company, Frantic Assembly.
Assessment
1 – Melodrama
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance
2 – Theatre in Education – Being 13
Assessment of rehearsal and end-of-term test
3 – Darkwood Manor
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance, and written evaluation
4 – Shakespeare
Continuous rehearsal mark
5 – Migration
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA is set on alternate weeks.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.
- Matt Kizer: Scenic and Lighting Design – set design, lighting design, and projections for theatre and dance.
Year 9
Curriculum
1 – An Actor Prepares
An exploration of the skills used by actors when working with script. Student will be introduced to the work and methods of development of Constantin Stanislavski.
2 – Scripted project
Performance project using a section from ‘A Christmas Carol’.
3 – Devising Skills 1
Developing the skills to work collaboratively to create a workshop performance of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ using the work of Off Balance theatre company for inspiration.
4 – Devised Skills 2
Creating an original performance using the techniques of the Paperbirds theatre company.
5 – Crime and Punishment
Students develop their performance and analytical skills through looking at the theme of justice. Leads towards a mock trial performance.
Assessment
1 – An Actor Prepares
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance, and end-of-unit test
2 – Scripted project
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance, and end-of-unit written evaluation
3 – Devising Skills 1
Assessment of rehearsal and workshop performance
4 – Devising Skills 2
Assessment of final performance, and end-of-unit written evaluation
5 – Crime and Punishment
Assessment of rehearsal and final performance for mock trial, and end-of-unit test
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA is set once a week.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.
- BBC Bitesize: Writing About Drama and Theatre – BBC resource with activities and clips aimed at helping students to write about performance with greater clarity.
- BBC Bitesize: Performance Skills – BBC resource with activities and clips aimed at helping students to examine performance skills.
- BBC Bitesize: Scripts as a Stimulus – BBC resource with activities and clips aimed at helping students to use stimulus to create drama.
KS4
Summary
For GCSE drama, students apply the skills they have learnt in Key Stage 3 to a much higher standard. Students rehearse for several performances, culminating in an externally marked performance in Year 11. In addition to this, students must complete a written examination in which they must respond to their own work and to a live theatre performance.
GCSE Drama
Specification Code: C690QS
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: Eduqas
Year 10
Curriculum
In Year 10, students will study the following topics:
- Set Text – ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley
- Performing from a Text
- Live Theatre review
- Devising Theatre
Assessment
Component 1 – Devising Theatre (Moderated performance)
Original piece of drama – 40% of GCSE
Students create, develop and perform an original piece of drama in response to a brief. Evidence will include a 900 word portfolio, performance and evaluation of the piece.
Performing from a Text (Mock examination)
Performance of sections from selected playtexts in a mock version of the performance examination.
Component 3 mock examination
Section A: Set Text – Series of questions about ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley from the perspective of director, actor and designer
Section B: Live Theatre Review – A review of a piece of live theatre seen during the course looking at the acting or a technical aspect of the production.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.
- BBC Bitesize: GCSE Drama – BBC Bitesize revision on a broad range of aspects of the theatre making process.
- YouTube: National Theatre Discover – links to the National Theatre’s video on all aspects of the theatre making process.
- Drama Online – full productions of live theatre, with an incredible wealth of resources and theatre professionals discussing aspects of their practice.
- Eduqas – links to additional resources to help with all three components of the course.
Year 11
Curriculum
In Year 11, students will study the following topics:
- Set Text – ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley
- Performing from a Text
- Live Theatre review
- Devising Theatre
Assessment
Component 2 – Performing from a Text (External examination) 20%
Performance – 20% of GCSE
Students perform two sections from a play text written before the year 2000.
Component 3 – Interpreting Theatre
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 40% of GCSE
Examination consisting of two sections:
Section A: Set Text – Series of questions about ‘An Inspector Calls’ by J.B. Priestley from the perspective of director, actor and designer
Section B: Live Theatre Review – A review of a piece of live theatre seen during the course looking at the acting or a technical aspect of the production.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 11 curriculum.
- BBC Bitesize: GCSE Drama – BBC Bitesize revision on a broad range of aspects of the theatre making process.
- YouTube: National Theatre Discover – links to the National Theatre’s video on all aspects of the theatre making process.
- Drama Online – full productions of live theatre, with an incredible wealth of resources and theatre professionals discussing aspects of their practice.
- Eduqas – links to additional resources to help with all three components of the course.
For A level drama and theatre, students examine drama practically and in writing to a high academic level. There is sustained study of a series of classic and contemporary drama texts. Additionally, students must create an original piece of drama using the techniques and principles of a key practitioner. There are numerous theatre visits and opportunities to meet theatre and arts professionals in preparation for the written exam at the end of Year 13.
A level Drama & Theatre Studies
Specification Code: 7262
Level: A level
Examination Board: AQA
Year 12
Curriculum
In Year 12, students will study the following topics:
- Component 1 – Drama and Theatre
- Section A: Drama through the ages – ‘Antigone’ by Sophocles
- Section C: Live theatre Production
- Component 2 – Creating Original Drama
Assessment
Component 2 – Creating Original Drama
Working notebook out of 40.
Contribution to the final devised performance out of 20.
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.
- Drama Online – full productions of live theatre, with an incredible wealth of resources and theatre professionals discussing aspects of their practice.
- YouTube: National Theatre Discover – links to the National Theatre’s video on all aspects of the theatre making process.
- AQA – links to additional resources to help with all three components of the course.
Year 13
Curriculum
In Year 13, students will study the following topics:
- Component 1 – Drama and Theatre
- Section B: 20th and 21st Century drama – ‘Our Country’s Good’ by Timberlake Wertenbaker
- Section C: Live theatre Production
- Component 3 – Making theatre (practical)
Assessment
Component 3 – Creating Original Drama>
Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks) and reflective report (20 marks) – 30% of A-level
Component 1 – Drama and Theatre
Section A: Drama through the ages – ‘Antigone’ by Sophocles (25 marks)
Section B: 20th and 21st Century drama – ‘Our Country’s Good’ by Timberlake Wertenbaker (30 marks)
Section C: Live theatre Production (25 marks)
Further Resources
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.
- Drama Online – full productions of live theatre, with an incredible wealth of resources and theatre professionals discussing aspects of their practice.
- YouTube: National Theatre Discover – links to the National Theatre’s video on all aspects of the theatre making process.
- AQA – links to additional resources to help with all three components of the course.
Extra-Curricular
Senior Production – ‘Julius Caesar’
Students in Years 11-13 participate as actors or as designers, stage management, lighting or wardrobe/costume technicians.
Whole School Production
Auditions take place in the final week of June for the following year’s production. Students can participate as actors or as designers, stage management, lighting or wardrobe/costume technicials. Recent productions include ‘Macbeth’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘The Tempest’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Emil and the Detectives’.
English Speaking Union – Performing Shakespeare
Competition for Year 9 students who must perform a monologue or duologue from a play of Shakespeare. The winners are then entered into later stages of the competition.
Drama & Music Showcase
Showcase of some of the most outstanding work from class from Year 7 to Year 13. An opportunity for students and parents/carers to see the range of talent on show.
Year 7 & 8 Drama Club
Weekly afterschool workshops run from September until July for all students in Year 7. This culminates in performances at the Winter Concert, Drama & Music Showcase, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.
Year 9 & 10 Drama Club
Weekly clun run from September until July for all students in Years 9 & 10. This culminates in a performance at the Winer Concert, Drama & Music Showcase, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.
Arts Award
A programme run for students in Year 9 to participate in the Bronze Award. Students have to create a portfolio that shows their development in an area of creative arts.
National Youth Theatre Auditions
Run on a Saturday in February or March, we invite NYT to conduct their workshop and audition in school. Successful students are invited to participate in their Summer School.
Reward Screenings
Students who continually demonstrate outstanding Attitude to Learning and effort in class are invited to “cinema screenings” of recorded theatre productions. These have included ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Newsies’.
Theatre Visits
Students attend a wide variety of theatre performances on a regular basis. Recent productions seen include ‘Red Pitch’ , ‘Groundhog Day’, ‘For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy’, ‘An Inspector Calls’, ‘Sylvia’, ‘Watch on the Rhine’, ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ and ‘Eureka Day’.
