Drama
I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being
Oscar Wilde
The Drama Department is developing rapidly at St. George’s and there is becoming an increasing demand for Drama, both as a curriculum subject and as part of our extensive range of after school extra-curricular activities. Drama is highly respected at the school and is recognised for the extraordinary impact it has on the students’ lives, including their ability to engage in group activities whilst developing the confidence to be an outstanding public speaker, performing in front of an audience.
The wide variety of skills taught in Drama are developed over time and are often used in other subjects and in later life.
Our Drama Curriculum includes a wide variety of cross-curricular topics which make a vital contribution to students' social, moral and cultural education, whilst developing the students’ skills of communication, teamwork and creative problem solving. Drama is taught throughout the school at Key Stages Three, Four and Five. During this time, students develop the skills they need to achieve in a professional workplace, preparing them for many possible future careers including Law, Journalism, Politics, Medicine, Education, Psychology, Advertising, Hospitality, Tourism, Theatre and many other industries which involve the key skills of communication. Through the experimentation of Acting, Directing and Stage Management and the participation in whole school productions, Theatre in Education and Community Projects, students are taught how to be professional, reliable young adults, learning a wide variety of interpersonal skills in the process.
At St George’s we offer Drama at GCSE Level. Each academic route offers experiences to engage in innovative acting methods which are tailored to meet the students’ individual needs. Students are given the opportunity to increase their knowledge of Drama in the professional industry, not only working with our experienced full-time teaching staff, but also with Theatre Practitioners, Directors, Designers, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Actors and Stage Managers. Students find it extraordinary that we offer such diverse opportunities to work with professionals who are keen to share their passion for this fascinating expressive arts form. Their knowledge of the profession is further enhanced through external theatre trips to see live theatre productions in London’s West End Theatres!
St George’s Catholic School would like to welcome you to join the Drama Department, a melting pot of technique and opportunity.
Want to find out more?
If you wish to find out more about Drama at St George’s please feel free to contact Ms E McNulty at e.mcnulty1@stgeorgesrc.org
KS3
KS3 is taught within the English curriculum once every half term. Lessons support the students' learning in English, whilst also introducing to new Drama skills which can be applied to GCSE as an option subject.
KS4
KS4: 2 hours per week
Exam board: Edexcel
Throughout the GCSE, students take ownership for their own creative input. They deepen their knowledge of how the techniques are applied in performance and get a wide-range of experience creating, developing and performing their own devised pieces, and those from a text. The three components studied at GCSE (see below) provide students with the opportunity to experience the academic aspects of drama and theatre studies. Students build on their practical and written skills, whilst gaining a deeper knowledge of the elements of stagecraft. Through ontological considerations, students make connections between the elements, mediums and explorative strategies of Drama, and how they can contribute towards the overall vision and implementation of the directors overall production concept.
Component One: Devising – devised performance & written portfolio
Component Two: Performance from Text – scripted performance
Component Three: Theatre Makers in Practice – written exam
- Section A: An Inspector Calls
- Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation
KS5
KS5: 5 hours per week
Exam board: Edexcel
Drama and Theatre studies aims to develop your understanding of the theory and practice of Drama and consider the social cultural and historical contexts from which the plays derive. Through the study of a wide range of plays students will gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of the ways in which playwrights use the dramatic form, structure and language to communicate meaning to an audience. Students will examine the theatrical cannon, and explore the impact the theatre has had on past and contemporary societies.
Due to both the academic and practical nature of the course, Drama and Theatre studies is a highly regarded subject by top universities and a wide range of employers. Aside from a career in the theatre, film and television, the subject is advantageous for students wanting to study Law, Medicine, teaching, care services, journalism, media, marketing, business and public relations.
Component 1: Devising (40% of final A Level grade) – working as a group to devise a play from a stimulus of a play text, using a practitioner’s practice to inform the process. This also includes a written portfolio (3000 words) analysing and evaluating this process.
Component 2: Text in Performance (20% of final A Level grade) - scripted group performance, and a monologue.
Component 3: (40% of final A Level grade) - a written exam on evaluating a piece of live theatre, how you would perform and design a production from a set text (Accidental Death of an Anarchist) and proposing a production concept as a director for a set text (Woyzeck).
Extra-Curricular
Extra-curricular is incredibly importance to building the love and understanding of Drama. Students are able to express themselves outside the confines of the classroom, and a great opportunity to make new friends and build upon their skills.
Drama Club - Monday After School
Theatre Critic Club - Wednesday Lunchtime
School Musical - rehearsals take place 2-3 times a week. In recent years students have performed in Little Shop of Horrors and Sister Act.
Careers
The subject of Drama teaches students a wide variety of transferrable skills, which can lead to a range of different careers.
Potential careers include: Lawyer, Politician, Police, Advertising and Marketing, Theatre/TV/Film Designer & Operators, Director, Actor, Stage Management, Drama Therapist, Radio/TV Host, Hospitality, Teacher.
Drama skills highly valued by employers:
- Time management and organisation
- Leading and participating in discussions
- Team-working to present ideas
- Creative problem-solving abilities
- Oral communication skills
- Initiative
- Motivation and commitment