Drama

Why is Drama important?

From ancient times, the theatre has been used as an important vehicle for the expression of powerful messages and emotions. Drama develops the vital skills of independence, appreciation, concentration, cooperation, confidence, communication, empathy and critical thinking. Most importantly, Drama inspires creativity.

What is the aim of the Drama curriculum at Oaklands?

The Drama curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn through doing and being. Students are able to develop as independent learners and critical thinkers through enquiry, exploration and creation. Students have the opportunity to explore their own attitudes, emotions and beliefs through a variety of stimuli in response to key issues. Drama at Oaklands develops students’ understanding of issues around social justice and thereby of their role as responsible members of society and our community. By developing their language and oracy skills through Drama, students in turn develop their confidence to present information and to express thoughts and opinions clearly.

How is the curriculum in Drama structured?

The curriculum in drama is structured so that students develop a variety of Drama skills and techniques whilst also exploring characters and themes from classic and contemporary texts. The curriculum builds a set of key skills (e.g Devising, Script Analysis) which are consistently revisited at a higher level through their KS3 curriculum and in preparation for GCSE Drama. Students are taught how to engage imaginatively and intellectually with drama forms and conventions through scripted and devised performances. The choice of texts, styles and stimuli are carefully selected to develop an appreciation of Drama as an artistic form and to recognise its diversity and relevance within society.

Topics covered in Year 7

Introduction to Drama Skills (Theme based - Bullying)
Howling Lodge (Devising)
The Snow Dragons (Contemporary Script)
Antigone by Sophocles (Ancient Greek Tragedy Script & Ancient Greek Theatre Conventions)

Topics covered in Year 8

Physical Theatre (Devising)
Mugged by Andrew Payne (Contemporary Script)
Exploration of Shakespeare (Shakespearean Conventions)

Topics covered in Year 9

DNA by Dennis Kelly (Contemporary Script)
Issue Based Drama (Devising)
Oedipus by Sophocles (Ancient Greek Tragedy Script & Ancient Greek Theatre Conventions)

Topics covered in Year 10

Introduction to GCSE Practitioners (Brecht, Stanislavski, Berkoff, Frantic Assembly, The Paper Birds)
Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
Component 1- Devising Theatre

Oaklands School