Welcome to the Drama Department

Every week, students in Year 7 will have a single period of Music, Dance and Drama during which they will engage in a range of practical work intended to give them the skills required for further successful study in Key Stage 4. In Year 8 students will continue to have a single period of Drama and Music each week. Our afterschool Dance clubs help students to develop their Dance skills even when they no longer have Dance as part of their weekly timetable.

The Performing Arts at Harrow Way have seen an upsurge in activities over the last few years with a wide range of exciting innovations: workshops with industry professionals, regular performances and the introduction of two new qualifications: the BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Acting & Dance) and the BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice.

Drama Curriculum Overview
Assessment Principles
Career Links

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

Year 7

We start the year with the assumption that students, while they may have engaged in drama at their Primary schools, will not have had any formal training in dramatic skills or techniques. This first year aims to give students a firm grasp of stagecraft and acting technique. We also aim to grow the students’ confidence through regular performance opportunities; their creativity through a variety of challenges/projects; and their self-awareness, through regular evaluation and personalised target setting.

Projects include:

  • Stagecraft & Freeze Frames

  • Creating Character Physicality and Voice – The King’s Fountain & Mr Grimpepper

  • Line Learning & Textual Analysis – Neither a Borrower Nor A Lender Be & Basher & Brian

Year 8

Having explored the basics of theatre in Year 7, in Year 8 we further develop the skills that students will need in KS4: character research/creation, textual analysis and scripted technique. We aim to give students the ability to make character choices based on the script, overcome the challenge of line learning and understand what goes into a full scale performance (both on-stage and back-stage).

Projects:

  • Line Learning, Textual Analysis & Stage Fight – Romeo & Juliet

  • Understanding Characters’ Motivation – The Lloyd Goddard Murder Mystery

  • Understanding Technical Theatre (Lighting, Sound & Stage Management) – The Holiday Project

  • Director’s Projects – putting all the skills together by creating mini-theatre companies; students choose to be either a director, technician or actor in this final challenge – taking a play from page to stage independently.

The Addams Family Musical – School Musical 2024

Year 9

Students have the option to take drama in Year 9, doubling the amount of teaching time they get and benefiting from a more vocational and professional focus. In Year 9 students focus heavily on the skills needed to take a script from page to stage. The projects they explore include:

  • Year 9 Shakespeare Showcase – A full-scale public performance of a series of abridged Shakespearean classics – includes a visit to the Globe theatre and workshops with professional actors.

  • Duologues and Acting Skills – in class performances and self-assessment

  • Devising skills – students learn how to create their own pieces of original theatre, based on a brief and a ‘real world’ scenario.

Studies focus on performance techniques including improvisation, creating physicalities, line learning, directing, textual analysis and devising. Self-evaluation is also developed, each performance is analysed and evaluated by students and staff.

The course includes a live public performance in the Autumn term. As this is a performing arts course, taking part in the Autumn performance is compulsory. Students should, therefore, think carefully before opting for this subject.

Year 10 and 11

Students in Years 10 & 11 the Acting pathway through the new BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts.

BTEC Level 1 / 2 Tech Award in Performing Arts

Year 10
Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (30% final grade)

Learners will develop their understanding of the performing arts by examining the work of performing arts professionals and the processes used to create performance. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by your teacher and grades are moderated by the exam board.

Year 11
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30% final grade)

Learners will develop their performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of acting, dance and/or musical theatre repertoire as performers. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by your teacher and grades are moderated by the exam board.

Component 3: Responding to a Brief (40% final grade)

Learners will be given the opportunity to work as part of a group to contribute to a workshop performance as a performer in response to a brief and stimulus. Grades can be awarded at levels 1 and 2. Work is assessed by the exam board.