Our Vision

The Drama Department at St. Michael’s Catholic College believes wholeheartedly in the potential for Drama to significantly impact pupils' experiences inside and outside of the College.

The Drama teaching at St. Michael’s is based on the principle that the subject should be accessible and exciting for all pupils, regardless of experience, ability and need; providing opportunities to share and develop individual powers of expression, confidence and social integration.

Drama seeks to educate the whole child. The extensive programme of activities offered within the curriculum and as enrichment provide a range of opportunities for pupils to develop and learn. Through Drama we encourage pupils to take pride, have fun and comment thoughtfully, on themselves, their lives and the world they live in.

Essentially Drama is about communication. Through an innovative and diverse curriculum pupils learn to communicate with each other and understand more fully different views of the world.

Their understanding of creative expression is both broadened and deepened as they become sophisticated theatre practitioners, communicators and more confident individuals.

Programme of Study KS3

Our cohesive and well developed Key Stage 3 curriculum aims to teach the key skills of Drama in lively and innovative ways. The varied, practical schemes build for progression and encourage pupils to take increased ownership and creative responsibility for their work.

All schemes of work provide opportunities for pupils to develop significant skill in the three assessed areas of the Drama curriculum

"Creating, Performing and Responding".

Practical work is consolidated through written assignments, ICT, presentations and homework. Throughout the curriculum emphasis is placed on the acquisition of a thorough understanding of the meaning and practical application of the relevant forms and techniques of Drama in order to equip students for the analytical and more advanced creative skills required at Key Stage 4 and 5.

Year 7 Schemes of Work

Year 8 Schemes of Work

Year 9 Schemes of Work

Programme of Study KS4

GCSE Drama at St.Michael’s follows the Edexcel specification. Building on skills and knowledge developed at Key Stage 3 the Edexcel GCSE in Drama encourages students to:

-       Develop a personal interest in why drama matters and be inspired, moved and changed by studying a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study.

-       Work imaginatively and creatively in collaborative contexts, generating, developing and communicating ideas consider and explore the impact of social, historical and cultural influences on drama texts and activities.

-       Reflect on and evaluate their own work and the work of others.

-       Develop and demonstrate competence in a range of practical, creative and performance skills.

-       Develop a basis for their future role as active citizens in employment and society in general, as well as for the possible further study of drama.

-       Actively engage in the process of dramatic study in order to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.

Assessment in GCSE Drama takes the following forms:

Unit 1 and Unit 2 - Workshop Examinations 60% (Internally assessed)

Unit 1 – Six-hours workshop exploration of a theme, accompanied by a written portfolio of documentary evidence.

Unit 2 - Six-hours workshop exploration of a published play text, accompanied by a written portfolio of documentary evidence.

Both these examinations last 6-8 hours and take place in lessons over the course of a few weeks. The written portfolios are based on the practical work and are comprised of written work, photographs, pictures, diagrams, graphs and art work.

Unit 3 – Performance Examination 40% (Externally Assessed)

Students will either take:

Option a: Devised Performance, Option b: Scripted Performance, Option c: Performance Support