The 2017 school production took us back to World War I for 'Private Peaceful'.
“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 Mountview, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London Academy of Music and the Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Bristol Old Vic, the Institute of the Arts Barcelona (IAB) and York. In addition, students have successfully auditioned for the National Youth Theatre, National Musical Youth Theatre and RADA Youth Company.
We are very proud that one of our recent alumni, Taheen Modak, has appeared in two seasons of ITV drama ‘The Bay’ (2019-2020) and starred in the Sky series ‘Two Weeks to Live’ in 2020. He also made his West End debut at The Old Vic in early 2019, before playing Laertes in ‘Hamlet’ at The Bristol Old Vic in October 2022.
Summary
Curriculum Content
Summary
GCSE Drama
A level Drama & Theatre Studies
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 ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Drama & Music Festival
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 Christmas Concert, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.
Year 9 & 10 Drama Club
Weekly afterschool workshops run from January until July for all students in Years 9 & 10. This culminates in a performance at the Christmas Concert, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.
Schools Club
An opportunity for Years 9-13 students to attend theatre production at the Old Vic and receive expert workshops free of charge.
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 Theatre New Views
A playwrighting scheme in which students are invited to study playwrighting before creating their own original work for consideration by The National Theatre.
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 ‘The Woman in Black’, ‘Marys Seacole’, ‘The 47th’, ‘A Number’, ‘Force Majeure’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’.