Subjects > Drama > KS3 (Year 7/8/9)
Year 7
Year 7 Drama is a one hour practical lesson per week and is an introduction to basic skills as well as a development of general confidence and learning to co-operate independently in a variety of types and sizes of groups.
The units begin with non-verbal acting skills and develop into creation of character and basic improvisation skills, moving onto an understanding of scripts. The play `The Terrible Fate of 'Humpty Dumpty' is studied to explore the theme of bullying. Homework includes written evaluation, creation of character preparation of props and costume and line learning.
Year 8
Year 8 Drama is a one hour practical lesson per week. Pupils will build on basic skills developed in Year 7 and challenge themselves in variety and complexity of practical and written tasks. The units begin with solo script and improvisation performances.
In term 2 pupils create their own piece of Devised Drama, which is a presentation based around the theme of homelessness. It involves research on the Internet and employs various performance formats. The play 'Stone Cold' is read and studied.
Lastly, pupils will learn about dramatic criticism by watching and analysing professional acting.
Thorough written evaluations are completed at the end of each unit for homework. Homework also involves line learning and preparation of costume and props.
Year 9
Year 9 further expands skills developed in Year 8 and prepares pupils for GCSE Drama beginning with a solo performance of a Shakespearean soliloquy. The play 'Macbeth' is studied in terms of performance skills. In term 2 group improvisation is then studied using research on The Holocaust as a stimulus. Lastly, pupils complete a film studies unit analysing genre and narrative or create their own television script which is then filmed. Homework involves line learning, evaluation of their own and others' performances as well as organising costume and props.