Drama is taught to all students in mixed ability groups in one hour per week. Class sizes are a maximum of 24. Students follow a practical curriculum based around the strands of creating, performing and responding.

Key Stage 3

In year 7, students study a variety of topics such as Basic Drama skills, Victorian Children, and Greek Theatre. They also read through a set text. These projects help the students to learn a variety of practical drama concepts such as tableau, improvisation, teacher–in-role, thought-tracking and hot-seating, as well as exploring historical events and theatre history.

In year 8, students build upon their year 7 skills and techniques, and explore a variety of topics. These include issue-based topics and moral dilemmas, where students use drama to explore issues such as bullying and problems faced by communities. They also study a set text and learn about Victorian Melodrama. They finish the year by writing and performing their own script.

In year 9, students prepare for GCSE Drama, which they can pick as an option, by exploring characterisation and acting, satire, reading and performing from a set text, and devising a TIE project.

Lessons in all years are largely practical and focus upon learning about drama through drama. Students also explore dramatic techniques and conventions such as lighting, sound, costume and props. Group-work skills are taught throughout key stage 3, with a particular focus on listening, cooperation, leadership, brain-storming, and planning and evaluation. Drama is intrinsic to developing student’s opinions on social and moral issues and their sympathy and empathy towards others.

Key Stage 4

Student can choose to pick Drama at GCSE. The course is 60% Coursework and 40% Practical Exam and the Academy follows the Edexcel Syllabus. The course generally continues on from the work students have studied and explored at Key Stage 3. Students have the chance to respond to a range of material in practical and creative way, as well as exploring plays.

The course is in three parts:

• In the first part of the course, students use drama to express their feelings and ideas about a range of issues and materials given.
• In the second part of the course, Students read a play , exploring practically how a playwright expresses and highlights their ideas about a theme or topic. Students explore how moments of the play could be performed on stage.
• In the third part of the course, students can choose whether to be involved in the performance of a play from an existing script, or they can create one themselves. This is performed to an examiner.

AS and A Level Drama and Theatre Studies

The City of London Academy offers Drama and Theatre Studies at AS and A-Level, following the Edexcel syllabus.

Curriculum

The course demands practical, creative and communication skills. Students will extend their ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or production role. Students will also be required to write about drama and develop their powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course will involve taking part in the production of a play, as well as studying plays and playwrights.

AS Drama and Theatre Studies - Course Work

The first term of year 12 is spent exploring two texts. Students explore the Form and Structure, The Contexts, Plot and Sub-Plot, Visual, Aural and Spatial Elements and finally the Use of Language in both plays, completing coursework on both texts in all the above areas.

AS Drama and Theatre Studies - Practical Exam

In the second term students are directed in a play by their teacher. Students can decide whether to be examined on their performance in the play or as a designer. The play is performed to an examiner.

AS Drama and Theatre Studies - Written Exam

Throughout the course, students will attend the theatre and seen as many productions as possible. By the last term, students will have compiled extensive notes on the productions they have seen, and on their contribution to the play they performed in; these will be used in the written exam. The written exam tests the student’s ability to critically analyse the theatre they have seen, and the performance they have participated in.

AS Drama and Theatre Studies - Requirements for the Course

It would be useful to have taken Drama at GCSE level but it is not essential. It is important that you are interested in gaining a greater understanding of how theatre and plays work and that you are keen to be involved in performances.

You need to be curious about issues and ideas and have a creative instinct for communicating your views through drama. You should be keen on acting, directing, writing and the technical side of theatre. You will also be interested in visiting the theatre and take a keen interest in the extra-curricular side of the course.