Drama

Aims

All pupils at Bedford Free School will study Drama from Year 7. Students are taught about some of the most influential theatre practitioners and develop an understanding and appreciation for theatre. Our students participate in and gain knowledge associated with the artistic practice of drama. Throughout our curriculum students are given opportunities to improvise, devise and script drama for one another as well as to rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.

The Drama department at Bedford Free school are proud of the hard work and success of their pupils. Each year students participate in a whole school musical, winter and spring showcases, a talent show and enter festivals.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Year 7, 8 have one lesson of drama per week.

At this stage, we emphasise performance and evaluation while nurturing and encouraging interpersonal skills like communication and team building. During the course pupils study several different disciplines including – Improvisation, Storytelling, Devising, Scripted Performance and Physical Theatre.

As pupils begin year 9 with two hours of Drama per week, written elements are introduced and pupils learn how to evaluate their own and their peers’ performances. In year 9 the pupils study influential theatre practitioners such as, Berkoff and Stanislavski and begin to look at key drama genres.

Key Stage 4

The Eduqas drama GCSE is broken down into three components. Component one begins in year 10.

Component one

Devised Practical Performance (40%).

In groups of 2-5, pupils will devise a practical performance based on a theme, linked with a practitioner or genre. Alongside the practical work, pupils write a portfolio and a written evaluation on the practical work you have created and performed.

Component two

Performance from a Text (20%)

In groups of 2-4 pupils will perform a scene from a published play directed by their teacher but managed and rehearsed by themselves.

Component three

Written Examination (40%)

Pupils are assessed on their ability to analyse one set text as an actor, designer and director and to evaluate a live piece of theatre.