KS3
At Key Stage 3 students will develop a range of skills that will build on prior knowledge and will prepare them with the skills they need to move on to Key Stage 4 Drama. All schemes of work are flexible and can be tailored to meet specific needs for each class.
Topics covered include:
Year 7 – Introduction to drama, Storytelling and exploring drama skills, Building tension
Year 8 – Introduction to movement, Greek Theatre, Scripted performance
Year 9 – Exploring a play, Storytelling, Exploring Genre and Performance Style, Exploring a range of practitioners, Preparation for GCSE Drama (explore key components from the GCSE Drama specification)
KS4:
GCSE Drama consists of three components, including a final exam:
Component 1: Devising Theatre
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated
40% of qualification
60 marks (120marks)This component assesses:
Devising: Create and develop ideas to communicate meaning for performance (AO1, 30 marks). This is assessed through the portfolio of supporting evidence.
Realising: Apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions (AO2, 15 marks). This is assessed through the performance or design (realised in performance).
Evaluating: Analyse and evaluate their own work (AO4, 15 marks). This is assessed through a written evaluation completed under supervised conditions.
Component 2: Performing from a Text
Non-exam assessment:
externally assessed by a visiting examiner
20% of qualification
60 marks
This component assesses the final realisation only (AO2, 60 marks). Students will study a range of plays and perform extracts where they will realise their artistic vision and creativity.
Component 3: Interpreting Theatre
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
40% of qualification
Section A: 45 marks
A series of questions assessing knowledge and understanding of an extract from the set text (30 marks) one question assessing knowledge and understanding of the wider text (15 marks).
Section B: 15 marks
Learners will be expected to provide basic details of the production, including the name of the play, company and venue. One question, from a choice of two, assessing analysis and evaluation of a given aspect of a live theatre production (15 marks)
Curriculum overview:
KS3 – 1 lessons per week.
KS4 – 3 lessons per week, plus additional revision sessions.
GCSE Drama (Eduqas)
Music
Music is an important part of the curriculum that has been built into all drama lessons. Students will gain a range of musical experiences here at Burnage Academy. As part of their Drama lessons, students will layer music on top of their performances to give it a professional finish. They will explore a range of genres that will fit with the style of performance they are creating.
As part of the music curriculum, students are given the opportunity to learn and experience a wide range of instruments taught to them by highly experienced and professional musicians.
Music is also delivered through a carousel at KS3 working with specialist teachers. The purpose of this curriculum is to ensure that pupils are able to perform the work of others, explore their own creativity through composing work and, through wider listening and engagement, come to a broader understanding of culture and meaning. The curriculum will allow for students to have opportunities to listen to different genres of music in order to develop their musical understanding. They will have time to start composing their own music taking into account their starting points and participate in summative assessment where they can reflect on their knowledge and understanding. The carousel model is a starting point for changing the way music is delivered at Burnage and ensure that progression can be made across KS3 and ultimately into KS4.