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Drama Department Update- Autumn 1

Year 7 & Y8 Drama

Students in KS3 are following a programme of learning that explores an introduction to Drama. As part of the course, students have established relationships within the group to create an effective group ensemble and complete activities that help them to build their confidence as a group and learn:

  • How do we work well collaboratively?
  • How do we use stage space?
  • How do we use physicality?
  • How do we use voice?

Year 7 have also been exploring the Drama strategies of Still Images, Narration, Thought-Tracking and Transitions.

Year 8 have also been exploring approaches to devising through improvisation and script-writing skills.

 

Year 9 GCSE Drama

Students are currently working towards a devised performance that they are creating based on ‘The Island’ by Armin Greder. They are exploring approaches to devising used by different practitioners including Frantic Assembly, Bertolt Brecht and Steve Berkoff.

 

Year 10 GCSE Drama

Students are currently working towards a devised performance that is worth 40% of their final GCSE grade. Students work collaboratively in a group as a designer or performer to create a performance based on a stimulus of their own choosing.

Topics chosen this year range from:

  • The story of Sarah Everard
  • The Pressure of Social Media
  • The Alice Ruggle Story
  • Sir Nicolas Winton
  • The Audrey Hepburn Story

Students will be performing in the Spring Term.

Year 10 Theatre Visit: Blood Brothers Birmingham Hippodrome- Thursday 4 November

The deadline has been extended from Friday 8 October until Friday 29 October for payments for the theatre visit to see the performance of ‘Blood Brothers’ at The Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday 4 November 2021. This trip will prepare students for their GCSE Component 3 Theatre Makers in Practice examination which is worth 40% of their GCSE; consequently we strongly advise that they attend.

The coach will depart from NLS at 11.20am. Students will need to bring a packed lunch with them or purchase their lunch from the canteen at break time. Students entitled to a free school meal can also collect their lunch at break time. We will confirm nearer the time what time we expect to return. Students will be wearing their school uniform on this trip as it in school time. Students will need to make the necessary arrangements to be collected from school.

Places have been booked for all Y10 Drama students to attend and the cost of the trip is £27.00. Payment and permission is required via the online Parent Pay system (www.parentpay.com), using a credit or debit card. If you have any queries regarding the use of Parent Pay, please contact Polly Stone, Finance Manager, on 01926 338711 ext. 8437, or email her at PStone@northleamington.co.uk.  Refunds will not be possible if your child is unable to attend on the day. Please make your payment via ParentPay by Friday 29 October 2021

 

Year 11 GCSE Drama

Students are revising Component 3 Theatre Makers in Practice (Written Exam)

There are two areas of focus:                                     

1. Study of one complete performance text. (The Crucible by Arthur Miller)

2. A live theatre evaluation. (Jane Eyre National Theatre Collection)

Section A: The Crucible by Arthur Miller Students will practically explore a set text in order to be able to answer short and extended response questions. These questions will focus on decisions made as a performer, a director and a designer. An extract from the chosen set text will be provided in the exam paper. Students will have access to the text in school, but you may wish to purchase a copy of the text to support your child with their learning beyond the classroom. The edition that the exam board will use in the examination is:

Arthur Miller The Crucible Methuen Student Edition ISBN 978-1-4081-0839-0

Revise Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Drama Revision Guide ISBN 9781292131986

Drama Revision Workbook ISBN 9781292131979

 

Enrichment in Drama

This half-term students in Y9 and Y10 have undertaken a Drama Leader Training programme for 6 weeks after school on a Tuesday and Thursday in preparation for launching the Y7 and Y8 Vibe Drama Clubs after half-term. The Drama Leaders also have the opportunity to complete their Bronze or Silver Arts Award.

Sixth Form Enrichment – Gold Arts Award

There are TWO Gold Arts Award units which contain distinct activities. Unit 1 is about personal arts development and Unit 2 is about developing leadership skills in the arts. Gold Arts Award is a Level 3 qualification on the QCF and worth 16 UCAS points. To pass Unit 1 and Unit 2 of Gold Arts Award, young people are required to create an individual arts portfolio that demonstrates how they meet all of the following requirements:

The Gold Award Portfolio

The portfolio is a chance to show everyone what you did for your award and how you did it. You can choose the format for your portfolio, and it doesn’t need to be written – here are a few ideas but feel free to think of your own:

  • Vide
  • Audio Diary
  • Cartoon Graphic Book
  • Website
  • Scrapbook
  • Photo Diary

Collect anything that shows the activities you have been involved in:

  • Tickets
  • Photos
  • Leaflets
  • Posters
  • Any notes or sketches
  • Emails, feedback r online discussions

Students work independently on their portfolios with the support of an Arts Award Advisor. Both Mrs Hill and Miss Murphy are qualified Arts Award Advisors.

 

Mrs Hill

Performance Faculty Leader