Drama & Expressive Arts

Year 7

Expressive Arts: In Year 7, pupils will receive five lessons a fortnight in Expressive Arts. This is made up of two lessons of Art, one lesson of Drama and two lessons of Music. Pupils will develop a range of skills through a thematic approach to the Expressive Arts, where each unit will end in a showcase or celebration of pupil’s work. Pupils will also have a range of opportunities to experience working with outside providers and there will be many opportunities to further their skills in the rich extra-curricular programme provided – Various Lunchtime Clubs, Termly Concerts, and Showcase Evenings.

Term 1

Theme: African Culture
Learners will explore a sense of identity and belonging through the lens of African tribal cultures.

Skills: Pattern, Colour, Ceramic Work, Movement Skills, Ensemble Skills, Singing Skills, Keyboard Skills, Rhythm Skills.

Term 2

Theme: Land of My Fathers
Learners will explore ‘What it means to be Welsh’, and strengthen their appreciation for Welsh traditions culminating in a celebration of pupil’s work at the annual school Eisteddfod.

Skills: Observational Drawing, Imaginative Composition, Performance Skills, Storytelling Skills, Vocal Skills, Communication Skills.

Term 3

Theme: Discovery
Learners will discover artistic works that reflect time, culture and place.

Skills: Drawing Skills, Communication Skills, Imagination and Empathy, Mime Skills, Slapstick Comedic Skills, Dialogue Skills, Improvisation Skills, Composition Skills.

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Year 8

Drama: For Year 8/9, Pupils are taught Drama once a fortnight. As it is a practical subject there in very little written work at KS3. Pupils work mainly in groups to create drama pieces in response to stimuli. This work is then performed or presented to an audience followed by discussion. The curriculum is delivered via a themed approach and at the end of each unit pupils are assessed on skills taught. If pupils have a particular flair or interest in the subject they are encouraged to attend Drama Club and participate in the various extra-curricular projects throughout the year – Drama Club Showcase Evenings, Young Playwrights’ Festival.

Term 1

Theme: Status & Relationships
High & Low Status – Developing Dramatic Techniques.
Blood Brothers – Working with Text – Improvisation/Script work.

Term 2

Theme: Changes
History changers – Developing dramatic techniques, soundscapes, monologues.

Term 3

Theme: Melodrama
Exploring Stock Characters – Role Development.
Performing Melodrama – Devising Skills.

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Year 9

Term 1

Theme: Identity
Gang Culture – Developing Dramatic Techniques.
Working with Text – West Side Story / Romeo & Juliet.

Term 2

Theme: Comedy & GCSE Drama
Technical Project – Developing Technical Skills.
Comedy Project – Comic Techniques.
The White Rose Story – Developing Dramatic Techniques / Script Work.

Term 3

Theme: Issues
Script Work – Stone Cold / Walking with Shadows.

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