Drama is a vital part of the students’ learning experience at Notley. It enables the students to develop the ability to communicate and work together.
We believe in the holistic development of the child and so whilst it is important that the students do improve and hone their performance skills we place a lot of emphasis on the students developing skills for life. The curriculum exposes the students to a wide range of drama genres from Melodrama through to Physical Theatre. By the end of Year 7 they are well placed to move into Year 8 where they will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Year 8

In Year 8 the students study more play texts such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Stephen Berkoff’s Metamorphosis. All topics are explored through the use of a range of drama techniques, and it is here that pupils reveal their understanding of the issues, themes etc. The presentation of work builds confidence whilst improvisation and movement sessions encourage pupils to use imagination when attempting to create dramatic meaning.

Year 9

During this year pupils continue to develop communication skills through group discussions and practical, but they also begin to investigate more challenging themes and issues through the process of Drama.

Using a range of drama techniques pupils have confronted and explored social issues and themes such as prejudice and racism.
Pupils have been expected to reveal a more mature approach to each other’s opinions and have been given opportunities to experiment with challenging theatrical styles, such as surrealism.

This year’s course has been designed to utilise the skills developed in previous years, whilst providing a link with the GCSE course looking at both script work and improvisation.

Year 10

The first weeks of the course establish strong team dynamics and expected ways of working in GCSE Drama. The first part of the examination (Unit 1) is conducted in the summer term and so Year 10 is concerned with equipping the students with the necessary skills required to be successful in this. The course content involves developing their Physical Theatre skills, studying a variety of play texts, devising their own piece of theatre and using a variety of Drama techniques to explore concepts and issues. A social, historical, cultural and political context is provided so that the students begin to develop a real grounding in the History of Theatre.

Year 11

Year 11 sees the students complete Unit 2 and there is an intense period of time where they are preparing for their final exam performance. This is usually in April or May.