“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, meeting deadlines and resolving disputes.
The department is staffed by specialists in the field of drama, who are themselves experienced performers, writers and directors.
Beyond the requirements of the courses offered, students learn the skills required to work within the industry. Recently, Isleworth & Syon students have taken places to study at 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), York and St. Mary’s University (Twickenham). 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 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.
View the staff team
Curriculum Leader
Mr T McDonnell
Teaching Staff
Mr J Pratlett
Miss O Thomson
Summary
All students study drama for one hour a week in Year 7 and 8, with the option to have two lessons a week in Year 9.
The aims of the course of study are:
to develop their creativity, confidence and discipline through explorations of stories and themes;
to extend knowledge of drama and theatre through exposure to new styles and genres;
to be seen and heard achieving in front of an audience;
to develop skills transferable to the wider world;
Curriculum Content
Year 7
Curriculum
Arrival
An introduction to some of the most fundamental drama techniques through the theme of arrival.
Folk Tales
Developing confidence and competence in the use of drama techniques through folk tales from around the world.
Oliver Twist
Using the playtext of Charles Dickens’ classic novel to examine character and circumstances and the Victorian era.
Greek Theatre
A practical exploration of the style and techniques in Greek theatre, many of which are the foundation of modern drama.
The Investigation
A development and application of the drama techniques explored over the year.
Assessment
Arrival
Continuous assessment of in class rehearsal, performance and evaluation
End of term test
Folk tales
Final performance of a folk tale
Evaluation of a performance from the unit
Oliver Twist
Continuous assessment of in class rehearsal, performance and evaluation
Performance of a scripted scene between Fagin, Bill Sykes and Nancy
End of term test
Greek Theatre
Continuous assessment of in class rehearsal, performance and evaluation
End of term test
The Investigation
Continuous assessment of in class rehearsal, performance and evaluation
Hot seat performance of a self-created character
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 7 curriculum.
Belonging
A thematic exploration of the theme of belonging, revisiting the fundamental story telling techniques introduced in Year 7.
Darkwood Manor
Exploration and application of the acting skills and techniques used in the horror genre.
Developing Stagecraft
Using Off Balance theatre company’s version of ‘Robin Hood’. The students will develop their skills to devise their own original work in a new theatrical style.
Migration
Exploring stories of people who arrived to Britain after the Second World war through the medium of drama.
Film
Students will extend their knowledge and understanding of the way that films are constructed for an audience.
Film
Students will extend their knowledge and understanding of the way that films are constructed for an audience.
Assessment
Belonging
Practical – An ongoing assessment of students work leading towards a final performance on the theme of belonging
Written – An evaluation of practical work this half-term.
Darkwood Manor
Practical – Ongoing assessment of the students’ ability to create drama using a classic drama structure.
Written – An evaluation of the use of physical skills by an actor in ‘The Others’.
Developing stagecraft
Practical – Assessment in original performance piece.
Written – An evaluation of the use of voice by an actor in ‘Robin Hood’.
Migration
Performance of a monologue or duologue inspired by a real-life story.
Film
Continuous assessment of in class rehearsal, performance and evaluation
Written – A test on subject matter covered over the half term
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.
Off Balance: ‘Robin Hood’ (Part 1 and Part 2) – Off Balance’s version of ‘Robin Hood’, used in Developing Stagecraft.
Film-making – film seen in class that details the shots used in film making.
Year 9
Curriculum
An Actor Prepares
An exploration and development of naturalism in the twentieth century; using the work of Constantin Stanislavski.
Scripted project
Performance project using a section from ‘Lord of the Flies’.
Modern practitioners
An exploration of the style and techniques of physical theatre practitioners Bertholt Brecht and Frantic Assembly.
Devised project
Devised thematic performance project based on a stimulus.
Live theatre evaluation
Analysis of live theatre using a full-length production by the National Theatre.
Courtroom drama
Students develop their performance and analytical skills through looking at the theme of justice.
Assessment
An Actor Prepares
Practical – Use of landmark rehearsals to assess students’ ability to apply the style and techniques of two key practitioners using extracts of text from well-known pieces of theatre.
Written – An evaluation on a performance from Blood Brothers. Test on subject matter covered over the half term.
Scripted Project
Practical – Assessed final performance of script.
Written – An evaluation of the student’s success in their final performance as a character from ‘Lord of the Flies’.
Modern Practitioners
Practical – Use of landmark rehearsals to assess students’ ability to work within groups to produce better collaborative work.
Written – A test on subject matter covered over the half term.
Devised project
Practical – Assessed final performance of script.
Written – A development log of the initial and middle stages of the creation of the piece.
Live theatre evaluation
Written – Examination in which students write extended answers in response to the National Theatre’s production of ‘Antigone’.
Courtroom Drama
Practical – Ongoing assessment of rehearsal and performance process.
Written – A test on subject matter covered over the half-term.
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA sheets will be uploaded in due course.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 9 curriculum.
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.
In Year 10, students will study the following topics:
Set Text – ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly
Performing from a Text
Live Theatre review
Devising Theatre
Assessment
Performing from a Text (Mock examination)
Performance of sections from selected playtexts in a mock version of the performance examination.
Component 3 mock examinatiion
Section A: Set Text – Series of questions about DNA by Dennis Kelly 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
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
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.
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 – ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly
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.
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 ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly 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
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
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.
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
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
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.
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
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, in order to view activities and discussion points for drama. You can log in with the following details:
User: isleworthtw75lj
Pass: theday
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.
AQA – links to additional resources to help with all three components of the course.
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. Recent productions include ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’
Drama 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 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 & Technology Evening and end-of-term assemblies.
Year 8 and 9 Drama Club
Weekly afterschool workshops run from January until July for the students. This culminates in a performance at Summer Arts & Technology Evening and a film shown at key events.
Schools’ Club
An opportunity for senior students from 10, 11, 12 and 13 to attend theatre production at the Old Vic and receive expert workshops free of charge.
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.
Theatre Visits
Students attend a wide variety of theatre performances on a regular basis. Recent productions seen include ‘Endgame’, ‘Teenage Dick’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘A Very Expensive Poison’, Berberian Sound Studio’, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’, ‘The American Clock’, ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Dealing with Clair’.