Drama

Subject Leader : Miss Lucy Burgess, l.burgess@lavington.wilts.sch.uk

Year 7

We are a vibrant, caring, exciting and innovative department where students are challenged, achieve highly and enjoy a wide range of ‘creative’ experiences. Our primary aim for drama is to enable our students to develop their creative minds, become sensitive to the needs of others as well as communicate effectively.

What are we studying?

In Drama at Lavington School, we aim to build confidence, form great relationships and promote excellent teamwork. Students will participate in performance, creating and responding to work they have seen both professionally and in lesson. They have a broad program of study which enhances both their knowledge of drama and dramatic skill and also gives them perspective of the wider world.

Terms 1 and Term 2
The Twits
Darkwood Manor

Term 3 and Term 4
Where the Wild Things Are
Social Media

Term 5 and Term 6
Space Quest
Super Heroes

How are we assessed?

Each topic lasts for approximately one term. At the end of the topic students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of drama is assessed by curriculum levels.

This will be compared to their target level to measure progress and performance.

How we provide for SEN and Most able students

SEN and most able students are catered for in individual lessons based upon need. This may be in the form of placement in group work to enable an appropriate mix of ability that stretches both the lower and higher end of abilities. Or a task that suits their needs as individuals. These lessons are tailored to the individual and are designed to involve the students into the drama lesson with an alternative curriculum if required. There is a group work mark as part of assessment that allows students who are less able performers to be recognised for their input. The most able students are challenged by a more demanding role in performance work. All students are supported appropriately by the class teacher.

How are we grouped?

Students are always taught in mixed ability classes. During lesson time, students work in pairs, small groups and mixed gender groupings.

What homework are we expected to do?

Drama is a practical subject, however students may be asked to complete a homework that might include research for a topic or some preparation for a performance such as learning lines or preparing a plot.

What can parents do to help?

Ask your child what has happened in their drama lesson and encourage them to complete any homework tasks set.

Year 8

What are we studying?

Term 1 and Term 2
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Pantomime

Term 3 and Term 4
Murder in the Mansion
Private Peaceful

Term 5 and Term 6
Spears Sports
Swallows and Amazons

How are we assessed?

Each topic lasts for approximately one term. At an appropriate point in the learning, students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of drama is assessed by curriculum levels. This will be compared to their target level to measure progress and performance.

In Year 8, the following skills are developed:

Making a positive contribution to group work ,sharing ideas and showing leadership
Exploring ideas and issues
Learning lines and performing a short script from memory script
using a wider range of different performance skills with growing confidence and creativity
showing audience awareness by being seen and heard
using voice and movement to perform imaginative characters and staying in role
using the language of drama to give thoughtful feedback

How we provide for SEN and Most able students

How are we grouped?

Students are always taught in mixed ability classes. During lesson time, students work in pairs, small groups and mixed gender groupings.

What homework are we expected to do?

What can parents do to help?

Ask your child what has happened in their drama lesson and encourage them to complete any homework tasks set.

Year 9

What are we studying?

Term 1 and Term 2
Murder Mystery
Stage Fighting

Term 3 and Term 4
Survival
Genre

Term 5 and Term 6

Performing a script

SFX and stage craft.

How are we assessed?

In Year 9, the following skills are developed:

Working positively with everyone, contributing thoughtfully to group work, listening and showing good leadership skills
Devising thoughtful drama, based on a range of issues and themes
Communicating a script with some effectiveness
Using a variety of different performance skills with definite confidence and creativity, including stylised drama
showing audience awareness by being seen, heard and using space effectively
performing convincing characters with confidence and originality, and consistently staying in role
using the language of drama with some confidence to discuss their own work and the work of others

How we provide for SEN and Most able students?

How are we grouped?

Students are always taught in mixed ability classes. During lesson time, students work in pairs, small groups and mixed gender groupings

What homework are we expected to do?

What can parents do to help?

Ask your child what has happened in their drama lesson and encourage them to complete any homework tasks set.

Years 10 and 11

What are we studying?

Students will be studying the exciting new OCR specification for GCSE (9–1) Drama. This gives students the opportunity to explore the subject from a range of perspectives by devising their own, original work; by bringing to life the work of a playwright; as theatre reviewers, developing their own thoughts on what makes drama and theatre successful; and as creative artists building and bringing a character to life through exploration and rehearsal. There will also be a visit to the theatre in Year 10.

How are we assessed?

The qualification is made up of three components.

(60% of qualification)

Component 1: Devising Drama

60 marks

Component 2: Text Performance

60 marks

Students will create a devised performance

in groups.

They will be able to select a starting point from

a range of stimuli provided by the exam board.

Performances will be between 5 and 15 minutes,

depending on the size of the group.

All performances will be supported by a written

Portfolio which is evidence of the students’

devising process and can be made up of a

combination of writing, images, observation notes

and artefacts.

40 marks: For the evidence in the portfolio

20 marks: For the final performance.

Students will study a text chosen by the centre.

Students will take a part in two performances of

two extracts from the text.

They will work in a group no larger than 6

The time range is between 2 and 15 minutes,

depending on the size of the group.

Students will be required to produce an

accompanying concept document which outlines

their intentions for the performance.

20 marks: Interpretation of the text and creating an intention for performance

40 marks: For the demonstration of the chosen theatrical skill in the final performances.

Component 3: Written Exam (40% of qualification)

The exam component will be assessed at the end of the qualification and will be 1 hour and 30 minutes in length. Students will have to complete two compulsory sections

Section A

50 marks

Section B

30 marks

Students will be asked about preparing and

performing a text.

They will draw on the experience of studying a

whole text during the course from a list set by the

exam board.

The questions will focus on the process of creating

and developing a performance, working as a

director, performer and designer, as well as the

performance of a character from the text

This section asks the students to review a

performance they have seen on their course.

They will be primarily assessed on their ability to

analyse and evaluate, but will also be marked on

their accurate use of subject specific terminology.

How are we grouped?

Students are always taught in mixed ability classes. During lesson time, students work in pairs, small groups and mixed gender groupings.

What home learning are we expected to do?

Home learning will be set each week and there will be a mixture of practical and written work. Students will be expected to rehearse and prepare outside lessons, for a practical performance, as well as keep a written record of their drama work which will involve analysis and evaluation. Students will also be set tasks connected to the written exam.

What can parents do to help?

Discuss with your child what has happened in their drama lesson and encourage them to complete any home learning tasks set. Theatre visits are also a valuable learning tool.

Sister act schedule

‘SISTER ACT’ REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2022
Date	Time	Section/ Scene	Who?	Where?
Wednesday 15^th Sept	3.15-4.30pm	Fabulous Baby	Whole cast	Studio
Tuesday 20^th September	3.15-4.30	Pgs 1-6- all Plus Block pgs 12-17 when the girls are learning the song)	Deloris, Tina, Nina, Elle, Michelle, Curtis, Ernie, Joey, Pablo, TJ, Eddie, Cops and gangsters	No LBU M04
Wednesday 21^st Sept	3.15-4.30	Fabulous Baby- recap ad block	Whole cast	Studio- no LBU
Monday 26^th September	3.15-4.30pm	36-58 raise your voice	Main nuns and altar boys	Studio
Wednesday 28^th September	3.155-4.30	Pgs 26-37 Recap and finish	All main nuns	Studio
Monday 3^rd October	3.15-4.30pm	Pgs 17-20 26+37	All main nuns, Eddie and Monsignor O’Hara
Wednesday 5^th October	3.15-4.30	Run everything so far- catch up with anything that’s been missed	Whole cast	studio
Tuesday 11^th October	3.15-5pm	Take me to heaven 58-69	All main nuns and altar boys	studio
Wednesday 12^th October	3.15-4.30	As above Plus mother S song and gangster song	All nuns and altar boys and Eddie +	Studio and do1
Tuesday 18^th October	3.15-4.30pm	Sunday morning fever 78-85	Whole cast	studio
HALF TERM- LEARN YOUR WORDS! NO BOOKS ALLOWED NEXT TERM!
Wednesday 3^rd November	3.15-4.30	Spread the love- learn the song	Whole cast	Studio No LBU
Monday 7^th Nov	3.15-4.30	Lady in the long black dress	All in the gang	Studio
Wednesday 9^th Nov	3.15-4.30	Pgs 90-98	All main nuns	Studio
Thursday 10^th November	Lunch time	Eddie solo and SMR solo	Eddie and SMR Please have learnt your song by this point- ill block it with you	Studio
Tuesday 15^th Nov	3.25-4.30	105-116	Named nuns and gangsters and leads	studio
Wednesday 16^th Nov	3.25-5pm	Spread the love	Whole cast	Studio
Monday 21^st November	3.25-5pm	Act 1	Whole cast	Studio
Wednesday 23^rd Nov	3.25-5pm	Act 2	Whole cast	Studio
Wednesday 30^th Dec	3.25-5pm	Act 1	Whole Cast	Hall
Thursday 1^st Dec	3.25-5pm	Act 2	Whole cast
Fri 2^nd Dec	Set arriving			Hall
Sat 3^rd Dec	10-4pm	Tech rehearsal- mic run	Whole cast	Hall
Sun 4^th Dec	10-4pm	Dress rehearsal	Whole cast	Hall
Monday 5^th December	All day- normal home time	Sections to be decided after wknd	Sections to be decided after wknd	Hall
Tuesday 6^th December	Morning rehearsals and 1pm matinee performance for Primary schools Rehearsals will finish at 5pm- as this is the opening night, we will need the whole cast at school by 6pm at the latest. You may choose to stay at school and have your tea in the studio. Performance finish time will be confirmed after the weekend rehearsal. Morning rehearsal and matinee performance
Wednesday 7^th December	Second night	Whole cast at school by 6pm	Second night	Whole cast at school by 6pm
Thursday 8^th December	Last night	Whole cast at school by 6pm	Last night	Whole cast at school by 6pm

Some of you are going to be VERY busy for the next few months! Please start to learn your lines.

Do not write in anything other than pencil in the books. You will be charged for any lost or damaged books.

Email- l.burgess@lavington.wilts.sch.uk if you are unable to attend any rehearsals.