Drama

Intent

The holistic and cathartic nature of the Performing Arts adds richness and joy to the school curriculum. Creativity, individuality, and a sense of humour is celebrated and encouraged, which inevitably improves students’ confidence and self-esteem. Students learn to appreciate the importance of positive relationships, as they collaborate during group tasks, rehearsals, and performances.

During lessons, students are navigated through a range of historical, political, social, and cultural topics, as they examine set texts and devise performances using stimuli found from recent events or observations of the world around them. This helps to foster knowledgeable and empathetic young people who want to promote positive social change. A notion, which is echoed in Bertolt Brecht’s statement that, ‘Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.’

Drama is a multifaceted subject and thus lends itself to other subjects in the curriculum including English, history, sociology, psychology, dance, and music. Students often find their progress and understanding in the aforementioned areas are accelerated and strengthened, having explored a relevant topic in their drama lessons. Furthermore, taking part in drama promotes teamwork and leadership skills, which is invaluable in any career.

We also hope to embed Drama into KS3 through extra- curricular activities. We currently run year 7 Drama club and 8&9 Drama club at Lunchtimes, KS3 also have the opportunity to explore drama through the Drama festival at the end of Term 3. This is when one English lesson a week and their Music lesson becomes a Drama lesson and gives an opportunity for each form group and student to collaborate, and create a performance based on a section of text or stimulus. This develops Drama knowledge and allows KS3 to engage in the skills that are celebrated above.

Loreto College St Albans

Drama

Intent

Drama Curriculum Maps