Drama Curriculum Statement
At FCC we have built an extremely rich and diverse Drama curriculum which provides engaging learning for all students at all key stages.
KS3 - We have built the KS3 curriculum in order to be engaging, interesting, challenging and creative. Students learn key theatrical skills such as the use of voice and movement, script writing, creating atmosphere, acting styles, physical theatre, working in role and much more. This curriculum is delivered via numerous exciting topics such as witchcraft, detective work, pantomime and puppetry. Our KS3 curriculum is constructed to put students in the best possible position for the start of the GCSE course while also developing their wider theatrical knowledge. Each unit has specific skills built in which then build on each other. The SMSC layer of what we do is absolutely essential at KS3 and allows us to tackle important topics and ask young people to question their choices. This also prepares students for exam courses in which they have to consider their performances as an art form which communicates a message that they feel passionately about, including current affairs and historical events. At GCSE students are not assessed on their teamwork, confidence and empathy, all things they learn in drama that make them better people, but they are assessed on their understanding of and ability to create effective pieces of theatre and perform them to a high standard using the relevant skills. It is vital that at KS3 we teach them those skills as well as enhance their understanding and empathy of the world around them.
KS4 - Course Accreditation: GCSE Drama / Examining Board: Eduqas
The course demands practical, creative and communication skills in almost equal measure. You will extend your ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or production role. You will also be required to write about theatre and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in productions, as well as studying plays and theatre styles. The course is a combination of practical performance and theory lessons which are designed to consolidate learning. Students should be independent and proactive.
.
The course has 3 sections:
Unit 1 - Devised Performance. In this unit students are expected to create an original piece of theatre from scratch using techniques from a well-known theatre practitioner. They will create ideas, develop a script, design lights, sound, costume and set and perform it all to a live audience. There is also a coursework portfolio of supporting evidence and a written evaluation.
Unit 2 - Scripted Performance. In this unit students will perform extracts from a professional published play to a visiting examiner.
Unit 3 - Written Exam. Students will study a published play throughout the course and will answer questions on acting, design, rehearsal techniques and directing ideas in the examination. Students are also required to see a piece of live theatre and answer questions evaluating what they have seen in the written exam.
During the course you will have the chance to attend theatre trips, participate in workshops, work with A Level students and will be given opportunities to audition for specialist projects.
KS5 - Course Accreditation: A Level Drama and Theatre / Examining Board: Eduqas
Our A Level course was selected specifically to follow on from the GCSE course and build on existing skills so we feel that students have a coherent Drama education right through from Y7 to Y13. The course demands a high level of practical skill as well as a creative ability to produce original pieces of theatre. You will also be required to write about theatre and to develop your powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in productions, as well as studying plays and theatre styles. You will also be require to be an active part of the department by joining our visible leader programme as this will develop your much needed directing skills when working with younger students.
The course has 3 sections:
Unit 1 - Reinterpretation performance and coursework. In this unit you will be given a section of a classic play and you will use the theory and practise of a contemporary theatre practitioner to reinvent the play and perform it for official examination. You will create a piece of coursework to explain your process.
Unit 2 - Devised performance, scripted performance and coursework. You will prepare 2 separate performance and perform them on the same day to a visiting examiner. One will be an original piece, created by you; the other will be an extract from a published play. You will demonstrate contrasting styles and skills for this exam and produce a piece of courseowkr evaluating your performances.
Unit 3 - Written exam. At the end of the course you will complete a written exam which covers 3 plays. We currently study Trojan Women, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. You will be expected to discuss these works from the perspective of a director, actor, designer and audience member.
Throughout the course you will see many piece of live theatre and are expected to enhance your cultural and theatrical knowledge by doing this.
Finally, to add to our diverse and rich curriculum we offer a variety of extra-curricular opportunities including the whole school production in which everyone is welcome to get involved on or off stage. The Shakespeare Schools Festival which calls upon our top 30 students across years 8 to 13 to create a piece of professional Shakespeare work to perform at a professional theatre. An annual Dance Showcase which gives students an opportunity to share their exam pieces and dance work from across the year. We have also set up KS3 Drama and Dance clubs which are very highly attended. Our students also perform in the summer and Christmas concerts as well as many local dance festivals. We know how valuable these extra-curricular experiences can be for our students and I know that many of the FCC students feel that the dance and drama department is their place in school to feel welcomed, supported, safe and free to express themselves while making new friends and learning new skills.
Dance Curriculum Statement
Course Accreditation: GCSE Dance / Examining Board: AQA
Dance GCSE offers students an opportunity to gain a qualification using their creative talents and explore different styles and skills within dance.
As Dance is not studied as a subject within school at KS3 it is very highly recommended that students are very confident with dance or have previous dance experience including attending dance classes outside of school. This, though not always essential, will ensure that students have a strong foundation with which to build on in order to ensure success on this challenging course.
On the Dance GCSE course group work is essential and therefore students must demonstrate during KS3 that they are capable of working with their classmates in a mature, proactive and supportive manner.
The Dance GCSE course is split into 2 components:
Performance & Choreography (60%)
You will learn 2 set dances provided by the exam board and will also perform a duet/trio to be examined on your performance ability and technique. These two performances along with the supporting written work will make 30% of the GCSE.
Within this component you will also be required to create a piece of your own original choreography as a solo or group dance. This along with the supporting written evidence will make a further 30% of the GCSE.
Dance Appreciation (40%)
Throughout the course you will study 6 different professional dance works which you will analyse and evaluate in terms of movement, choreography and theatricality. Along with this, you will develop knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes and performing skills. Using this knowledge students will complete a written exam at the end of the course which is 40% of the GCSE.
Lessons are a combination of practical and theory lessons which are designed to consolidate learning. Students should be independent and proactive. These are not just technique classes you will have at a dance class outside of school but encourage learning of the whole curriculum including your choreographic and evaluative skills.
Finally, to add to our diverse and rich curriculum we offer a variety of extra-curricular opportunities including the whole school production in which everyone is welcome to get involved on or off stage. An annual Dance Showcase which gives students an opportunity to share their exam pieces and dance work from across the year. We have also set up KS3 Drama and Dance clubs which are very highly attended. Our students also perform in the summer and Christmas concerts as well as many local dance festivals. We know how valuable these extra-curricular experiences can be for our students and I know that many of the FCC students feel that the dance and drama department is their place in school to feel welcomed, supported, safe and free to express themselves while making new friends and learning new skills.