Drama

Overview

In Key Stage 3 Drama, students develop and embed the fundamental skills of drama, focusing on devising theatre, performing scripted texts, and evaluating performance choices. The curriculum is designed to build students' ability to analyse and reflect on dramatic decisions made in live performances, supporting their growth as both performers and critical thinkers.

Students engage with a variety of drama forms, including script work, devising from a stimulus, and genre-specific explorations such as issue-based drama and musical theatre. The curriculum includes six units per year, each with a half-term assessment. These units follow a linear progression, allowing students to build on their skills year after year, with a focus on developing technical abilities alongside creative expression.

Assessment Objectives from Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 form the core of our curriculum from Year 7, ensuring that students are well-prepared for future studies. By focusing on both practical performance and critical analysis, the Key Stage 3 Drama course offers a holistic yet focused approach to drama education, providing a strong foundation for progression into GCSE and beyond. Students are encouraged to engage fully with the subject, fostering a passion for performance and an understanding of theatre as an art form.

Curriculum Content

Assessment Criteria

Please find below the assessment benchmarks for Drama. A child progresses across the grid (from A-I) when they demonstrate a deeper knowledge and wider range of skills in each assessment carried out.

Overview

Students may opt to study GCSE Drama at Key Stage 4. We follow the Pearson specification. The course is made up of 3 discreet units which enable to students to demonstrate both their practical performance/design skills and also their ability to critically analyse a live performance and play text. Year 10 is primarily about developing skill sets to a suitable GCSE level and includes Component 1 which explores students' abilities to create a piece of devised theatre for performance. Year 11 continues the course with the exploration of our set text, 'The Crucible', whilst preparing students for their Component 2 examination - a live performance for an examiner. At the end of the year students complete a written exam focusing on their ability to evaluate a live performance they have seen as part of the course and an analysis of how they would stage a performance from an extract of the set text. 

Exam board and course

Edexcel (Pearson) GCSE Drama (1DR0)

Curriculum Content

Overview

The A Level Drama and Theatre course (Edexcel) is designed for students with a passion for drama and performance. It challenges students both practically and theoretically, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The course has three components:

1. Devising Theatre (30%) – Students create and perform an original piece of theatre, documenting the creative process and reflecting on their work.

2. Performance from Text (30%) – Students perform a set text or extracts from a play, demonstrating acting skills and interpretation of the material.

3. Theatre Makers in Practice (40%) – A written exam where students analyse a set text and a live theatre production, focusing on performance, direction, and design.

Success in this course requires a genuine passion for drama, strong performance skills, and an ability to think critically and analytically. Students must be prepared for consistent rehearsal, independent study, and reflection on both practical and written work.