The NCW Drama department believes that it should provide students with the confidence and interpersonal skills necessary to function as an active member of society. We aim to develop empathy and sensitivity by exploring diverse viewpoints and emotions through character and devised pieces. Drama is a collaborative subject so we aim to develop co-operation and team-work skills as we strive towards a common goal. We aim to expose students to a range of techniques and texts to assist them in understanding the benefits of participation in the arts, performance and creativity. We aim to challenge and engage, enjoy and achieve in Drama and help them develop the transferable skills to enable them to make a positive contribution in society and to the workplace.
The College has excellent links with local theatres such as Worcester Swan Theatre, the RSC Stratford and Birmingham Rep who provide us with audio description and touch tours to enhance the students’ understanding of performances that they watch. Having these links allows us as a department to ensure students have access to performances which will impact their learning as it is part of the GCSE specification.
The students cover a wider variety of units throughout KS3, which build the foundations of learning as they enter GCSE and A-Level. These units consist of basic drama strategies, a delve into the history of drama starting with Commedia Dell’Arte and melodrama. Leading then into naturalism in Year 8 along with Theatre in Education, a half term based around different job roles within the industry and a focus on other styles of theatre such as physical theatre. Finally, in year 9, students focus on practitioners such as Brecht and Stanislavski. They look at how they can use certain techniques within certain scripts. Running along throughout the KS3 curriculum is a devising unit, focusing on students’ creativity and imagination by creating their own piece of original theatre. All skills that will enhance their subject and performance knowledge in GCSE and A-Level.
GCSE – Year 11 Eduqas
GCSE – Year 10 Edexcel
A – Level – Eduqas
Miss Elmes – Drama Teacher – September 2024
