KS4 - GCSE Drama & BTEC Performing Arts
GCSE Drama
Curriculum Knowledge
Year 10
Students begin their course with the practical and theoretical study of the professional acting practitioners, Stanislavski, Brecht, Artaud and Frantic Assembly to develop their application of techniques, styles and performance qualities. In Year 10, students will also start studying towards their Component 1 written exam with a focus on their set text, Blood Brothers, roles and responsibilities in a theatre and their live theatre essay style question. Students will also take part in a practical mock exam for their externally examined Component 3 exam and begin practical rehearsals in class for their Component 2 Devising exam which takes place in the first term of year 11.
Year 11
Students start the year recapping their knowledge for their component 1 written exam. Here they will develop performance ideas within a group and complete their written coursework to support this. This component will be examined around October time. Students will then work towards their final practical Component 3 exam which is assessed by an external examiner. We then spend each lesson revising and preparing for the Summer written exam.
Skill Development
Subject Specific Skills:
- Develop pupil resilience, creativity, independence in learning and the ability to work as a team by providing students with theatrical/performance opportunities.
- Creativity and a nature to become open minded to new tasks.
- Be able to access the Performing Arts industry from an academic view and build passion for how theatre is made by professionals within the industry.
Wider Academic Skills / Attributes:
- Develop logical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Group work tasks allow students to build their confidence as a leader and interpersonal skills.
- Students will develop knowledge and understanding of how theatre is made in the industry giving them clear insight into future career opportunities.
- Visiting theatre allows a cultural experience for all students.
Personal Development - SMSC & Cultural Capital (Opportunities / Experiences)
- Develop cooperation and the appreciation of others efforts
- Develop empathy.
- Working with different plays/genres/styles allows students to become more open-minded and consider cultural, social and historical aspects.
- Challenging tasks enable all group members to have a role, a responsibility for their group’s progress giving them direction and developing leadership skills.
- Engaging with professionals
- Taking students to career events
- Experiencing Live Theatre performances
- Involvement with Vaudeville productions to nurture talent and experience the thrill of a team producing a live theatre performance.
BTEC Level 2 Tech award in Performing Arts ( Drama, Dance, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts )
Curriculum Knowledge
Year 10
Students begin their course with an introduction to Component 1, Exploring the Performing Arts which is worth 30 % of the overall qualification. Here students will investigate many of the roles found within the Performing Arts industry. They will observe and take part in practical workshops focusing on 3 contrasting live performances looking at the roles and responsibilities found within each performance as well as the interrelationships across the roles within the industry. Students will then take part in a mock examination of Component 3 - Responding to a brief which is worth 40% of their overall qualification before completing the actual exam in Year 10 also. This is an external assessment set by BTEC where students will respond to the requirements of a brief, rehearse towards a performance over a 12 week period and complete evaluations in exam conditions.
Year 11
Students will complete the other 2 exam components in Year 11. Component 1 - Exploring The Performing Arts and Component 2 - Developing skills and techniques in the performing arts which is worth 30 % of their overall qualification. Component 1 work will continue from the introductory work completed in Year 10 and Component 2 will consist of students taking part in workshops to develop their skills and techniques towards a chosen specialism then students will create a final performance and review their own successes.
Skill Development
Subject Specific Skills:
- Develop pupil resilience, creativity, independence in learning and the ability to work as a team by providing students with theatrical/performance opportunities.
- Creativity and a nature to become open minded to new tasks.
- Be able to access the Performing Arts industry and build passion for how theatre is made by professionals within the industry and how roles within the industry work together.
Wider Academic Skills / Attributes:
- Develop logical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Group work tasks allow students to build their confidence as a leader and interpersonal skills.
- Students will develop knowledge and understanding of how theatre is made in the industry giving them clear insight into future career opportunities.
- Visiting theatre allows a cultural experience for all students.
Personal Development - SMSC & Cultural Capital (Opportunities / Experiences)
- Develop cooperation and the appreciation of others efforts
- Develop empathy.
- Working with different plays/genres/styles allows students to become more open-minded and consider cultural, social and historical aspects.
- Challenging tasks enable all group members to have a role, a responsibility for their group’s progress giving them direction and developing leadership skills.
- Engaging with professionals
- Taking students to career events
- Experiencing Live Theatre performances
- Involvement with Vaudeville productions to nurture talent and experience the thrill of a team producing a live theatre performance.