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Drama

Drama at Polam Hall is an integral part of the curriculum and offers a variety of opportunities for students; both academic and extra-curricular. The school is blessed with the Liddiard Theatre, which, in addition to having an impressive stage and backstage area, allows pupils to enjoy the benefits of professional lighting equipment and a full PA sound system. Drama is studied as a compulsory subject at Key Stage 3 and offered as an option choice at GCSE, AS and A2 level. This extends to an after school Performing Arts Club, which enables pupils to pursue performance interests on a wider scope, encompassing drama and aspects of dance and singing.


Key Stage 3 Study
In the Lower School, the principal aim in Drama lessons is to teach pupils to develop skills that allow them to express themselves in a meaningful and exciting way. Programmes of study are largely practical and focus on providing a variety of experiences and dramatic activities, such as listening, responding, planning, reviewing, composing, discussion and appraising. Key concepts introduced in Lower 4 establish a foundation for development and progression in Upper 4 and Lower 5. Learning objectives are linked closely with Speaking & Listening elements of the National Curriculum for English and pupils learn to:

  • develop drama techniques to explore, in-role, a variety of situations and texts or respond to stimuli;
  • work collaboratively to devise and present scripted and unscripted pieces, which maintain the attention of an audience;
  • extend their spoken repertoire by experimenting with language in different roles and dramatic contexts;
  • develop drama techniques and strategies for anticipating, visualising and problem-solving in different learning contexts;
  • reflect on and evaluate their own presentations and those of others;
  • use and control the elements of drama, particularly voice and the body in space;
  • use voice, gesture and movement to convey meaning to an audience, making disciplined use of the conventions of performance;
  • make creative and symbolic use of the elements of drama – time, space, presence, light, sound and objects;
  • use a critical and specialist vocabulary for discussing drama - e.g. gesture, symbol, tension, rhythm, pace and contrast.


Key Stage 4 Study
Drama at GCSE focuses on expression, group work, exploration of play texts and the devising/performance of original and creative theatre. Much of the work is practical, though some time is given to critical evaluation and the production of written evidence to support practical exam tasks. The course offers students the opportunity to follow a performance or performance support route, which can include costume design, make-up, set design, lighting or sound.

The first year of the course (Middle 5) is spent in the study and development of theatrical skills, techniques and styles. Students become familiar with the ‘language’ of Drama and build a bank of technical vocabulary to support assessment. At the end of the year, a mock examination tests knowledge and skills in all assessment objectives and prepares students for the three examined units in Upper 5.

Unit 1 – Drama Exploration

Students respond to a variety of stimuli from different social, cultural and historical contexts. They are given the opportunity to communicate their knowledge and understanding of drama and are assessed on how they generate, explore and develop ideas. This consists of:

  • A 6 hour Practical Examination (assessed by the teacher and externally moderated).
  • ‘Documentary Response’ (a written/illustrative account to support and provide evidence of performance in the practical exam).

Unit 2 – Exploring Play Texts

Candidates participate in a practical study of the action, ideas, themes and issues presented by a written play text. Students also visit and evaluate a live theatre performance.

  • A 6 hour Practical Examination (assessed by the teacher and externally moderated)
  • ‘Documentary Response’ (a written/illustrative account of the exam)
  • Evaluation of a Live Performance (based on informal notes written after the performance)

Unit 3 – Drama Performance

Students work in small teams to create and present (a) a live performance of an original script written by the group or (b) an interpretation of an existing published play. Although the unit is focused on group collaboration, candidates are individually assessed as either performers or performance support.