Drama
The Drama curriculum at The Derby High School aims to establish high expectations and professional conduct in performance. Students are introduced to and develop their knowledge of drama skills and techniques, appropriate use of drama language, and key personal skills such as resilience, teamwork, confidence, and leadership.
Throughout their journey, students explore a variety of drama styles and genres linked to professional plays and texts, gaining appreciation for performance and building mutual respect and connections with the wider creative industry. Lessons include improvisation, rehearsal, devising, and reflective performance work.
RESILIENCE Framework
R – Real World
E – Engaging & Enriching
S – Skills for Life
I – Inclusive
L – Leadership
I – Independence
E – Encourages Reflection
N – Next Steps
C – Challenge
E – Ethics & Empathy
KS2 National Curriculum Links
All pupils should be enabled to participate in and gain knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the artistic practice of drama. Pupils should be able to adopt, create and sustain a range of roles, responding appropriately to others in role.
They should have opportunities to:
-
Improvise, devise and script drama for one another and for a range of audiences.
-
Rehearse, refine, share and respond thoughtfully to drama and theatre performances.
Curriculum Overview
| Unit | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Drama skills and techniques | Developing skills and techniques in Drama | Applying skills and techniques in Drama | Introduction to Professional Works | Component 2 – Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts |
| 2 | Pantomime | Morality Drama | Character Development | Introduction to Professional Works | |
| 3 | Script: Working from Page to Stage | Page to Stage – Hairspray | Page to Stage – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | Component 1 – Exploring the Performing Arts | Component 3 – Responding to a Brief |
| 4 | Performance Poetry | Memory Recall – Choral Speaking | Theatre in Education & Verbatim Theatre | ||
| 5 | Monologues | Prologues | Working from a Stimulus – E-Safety | Component 2 – Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts | |
| 6 | Introduction to Devising – The Rehearsal Process | Developing Devising – The Performance Processes | Applying Devising – The Production Process | Alumni Projects |
Post-16 Pathways (KS5)
-
Investigating Practitioners’ Work
-
Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
-
Group Performance Workshop
-
Performing Arts in the Community
-
Individual Performance Commission
-
Final Live Performance to an Audience
-
Employment Opportunities in the Performing Arts
Careers in Drama and the Performing Arts
- Performer
- Film, TV & Media
- Theatre
- Radio & Podcasting
- Writer
- Education
- Community Arts
- Production
- Social Media
- Journalism
- Drama Therapy
- Communications
