Drama is an active and successful department within the school.  The department aims to combine a wide and popular range of public performances with high standards in academic studies.  Our department philosophy is that students should, whilst enjoying their Drama, also see it as a discipline that needs to be approached in a serious and dedicated way, giving them life skills for the future.

 

Read 'Our Drama Teacher's Perspective' here ...  

In Years 7-9, students are taught in mixed ability form groups for one hour a week.  They are taught through schemes of work, which deal with a range of issues and skills.   Students are taught at KS3 by specialist Drama and English staff in either the Drama Studio or the Richardson Hall.

In Years 10 and 11 students can choose to undertake an AQA GCSE course, which combines practical acting examinations with a written paper.  AQA AS and A2 Level courses are offered in the Sixth form, and again, this is an option which is consistently successful.  

The department is well resourced, with a large and airy studio, and whiteboard projectors in all Drama rooms. In addition, there is recently updated stage lighting and sound equipment that students are trained in using, and a comprehensive range of stock and resources that aid students in their studies.

As a department, Drama is actively involved in the promotion of extra-curricular events in the school.  Recent theatre visits include ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘The Red Shoes’, ‘War Horse’ and ‘One man, two guvnors’. There is also a strong tradition of school productions with ‘Arabian Nights’, ‘Grimm Tales’ and ‘Expect the Unexpected’ all staged by the strong Lower School Drama Group. 

 

In addition, examination groups have publically staged work from ‘Waiting for Godot’, ‘Shakers’ and ‘Too much Punch for Judy’ amongst many others.