DRAMA
Aims The AQA course enables a practical and critical study of drama , engaging students to become confident theatre makers , independent learners , and empathetic , cultured and selfconfident individuals .
Skills Students can be sure to gather many invaluable skills , both theatrical and transferable , to expand their horizons . There is an important balance between the focus on the contribution to an artistic process and the execution of a performance .
Students gain the confidence to perform and communicate in public , but they also learn to collaborate with others , think analytically and evaluate effectively to pursue their own ideas , reflect and refine their efforts .
Whatever the future holds , students of GCSE Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills , applicable both in further studies and in the workplace .
Content Students develop a range of skills , knowledge and critical appreciation in three main areas : Creating , Performing and Evaluating .
The holistic programme of study encourages students to connect these three areas , maximising opportunities for them to do what they like best – participate in making drama and theatre .
The course begins with a foundation programme to provide a broad and creative overview of drama and theatre . This includes modules in devising presentational and representational theatre forms ; interpreting and realising a script ; stage design ; and critical response to live performance .
Students then tackle the assessment modules with this bank of practical experiences and knowledge . Students are encouraged to think and create more broadly as theatre-makers , not just as actors , but to include appreciation of stage design and directorial concepts .
All students devise drama and explore texts practically from a performing and design perspective . One of these texts they perform or design extracts from ; another text they write about from a hypothetical practical point of view . The written exam paper uses a variety of question styles to ask students to combine what they ’ ve learned about how drama is performed to create meaning and impact , with their practical experience and imagination .
Enrichment Students ’ appreciation of drama and live performance is enriched through the hosting of professional touring companies in the Sackville Theatre , external trips to outside venues , and the use of live recorded productions on various digital platforms .
Students also have the opportunity to extend their skills and experiences through co-curricular opportunities such as the Middle School or Senior Production , or the range of drama clubs and societies .
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS 29