Drama

Facilities

The Drama department has two specialist rooms, A101 and A203, both with lighting and sound facilities.

In addition, the department uses the Theatre, which is well-equipped with sound and lighting facilities, as well as a projector. The raked seating can be removed, to provide a more flexible space for rehearsals and examination performances. School productions and examination performances often use the stage area (Dance Studio), which includes a white cyclorama.

The department has access to laptops and iPads, allowing students greater research opportunities, as well as providing more opportunities to become involved with technical theatre. Practical work is filmed on digital camcorders and worked stored on portable hard-drives and Google Classroom.

Support

Within lessons, and at lunch-times and after-school, support is available for all GCSE, and A level students  – this can include small group or individual support, developing both written and practical work.

A level students experience workshops led by practitioners, to improve their examination performances.

GCSE and A level students are encouraged to take part in regular theatre visits, as this is a compulsory requirement for their examinations, as well as providing further opportunities to learn about the theatrical process.

Extra-Curricular

Lunch-time weekly Drama Clubs for Years 7, 8 and 9 allow students to develop their skills further and talented students are encouraged to attend. Termly lunch-time performances provide opportunities for them to share their work.

Whole-School productions rotate every two years, providing further opportunities for students to get involved, both as performers and technicians.

GCSE and A level rehearsals take place during lunch-times and after-school, as well as occasional Saturdays.

Lunchtime showcases and the Christmas Concert, provide performance and technical opportunities for GCSE and A level students.

‘Weatherhead’s Got Talent’ is a whole-school talent show, run by Media Arts/Performing Arts staff.

Arts Leaders help organise and run some events, supporting Performing Arts students.

‘Tech Crew Club’ provides technical support for the annual ‘Summer Sizzler’, organised by Mrs Carney and supported by Performing Arts department.

Assessment and Monitoring

Key Stage 3 – during every Unit of Work, students participate in a practical performance task, and formally peer and self assess their work.

Key Stage 4 and 5 – students are assessed regularly in every area of the courses, focusing both on the practical and written aspects.

Any students requiring additional support, are identified as early as possible, in order to improve their progress.

Resources

Google Classroom contains resources to support individual units of work, for KS4 and 5.

Students use props and costumes from the department store cupboards, throughout KS3, 4 and 5.

In Year 7, students watch a range of televised pantomime performances and study extracts from The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty.

In Year 8, students study two texts Romeo and Juliet and Willy Russell’s Our Day Out. They also complete an improvisation unit.

Year 9 focus on Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers and also develop their devising skills in order to prepare for the GCSE course.

GCSE Drama students study Blood Brothers and create drama performances from a range of stimuli.

A level students study The Glass Menagerie and The Servant of Two Masters as well as performing devised and scripted work.