Drama

Drama is an important subject in the curriculum because students learn and use valuable communication skills and co-operation skills, which they can use throughout school and in later life.

Aims

Our aim is to develop student's imaginative & creative skills, to acquire an understanding of Theatre & Drama techniques in order to translate their ideas into performance.

Using Drama and Theatre form, students can come to a better understanding of themselves and the world around us. In turn students become self confident, speak clearly and work co-operatively with others.

Students work on half-termly or termly projects. They explore themes and issues through Drama forms and techniques, as well as developing an understanding of theatre & performance skills, such as improvisation, mime, physical theatre, dance drama and script.

Courses

In years 7 – 9 students have one lesson of drama per week. Students may opt for GCSE drama in years 10 and 11. This is a highly successful subject at The Sanders Draper School and has produced consistently high pass rates at Grades A* – C in the Public Examinations.

Equipment and Resources

Students have their lessons either in the Drama Studio or in the School Hall. Both spaces have lighting and sound and the Drama Studio has a new interactive whiteboard.
Students work in either bare feet or socks. They may not wear trainers unless they have a lesson in the hall. They will sometimes be expected to bring costumes or props to lessons.

The Sanders Draper School is well known for the quality of its Drama and in the course of the year there are opportunities for students to become involved in a variety of events. Every year GCSE students are expected to appear in our annual presentation evening. Current performances have included an excerpt from 'Grease' and a mimed performance of 'The Sanders Draper Orchestra'. GCSE students also create performances as part of their course, which are sometimes performed to lower year groups.

Students are also given the opportunity to appear in the annual production. The 2003 performance was Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', 2004 was 'The Importance of being Earnest". Our production this year, 2006, was the highly successful ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ using Shakespeare’s language but set in the time of the 40’s Hollywood film industry. Students audition and perform in the Christmas Concert. They can also audition to be part of our highly successful 'Talent Show' with the winner performing at the presentation evening. Students have also attended auditions for the BBC, Popstars, NYT and London Talent.

Aims for the Future

To continue to achieve good results at GCSE.
To continue improving resources.
To share good practice with younger students through primary liaison.
To share good practice across the borough.
To gain another rehearsal/performance/teaching space.

Staff

 Ms J Steel (Head of Department)

 MS A Rees (Head of Dance)

Kate Forsey (Also Head of Media)