Drama

Vision

Drama at Colchester Academy aims to develop students’ social skills, build self-esteem and self-confidence. In Drama lessons students will experience a practical application of the core skills in performance and presentation, while building on the fundamental life skills of communication, empathy and collaboration. 

Drama at Colchester Academy aims to give every student the opportunity to develop the key skills in an imaginative and practical way, enabling them to apply these skills  to be effective communicators and creative leaders.

Every student has an opportunity to fulfil their potential by linking key knowledge,vocabulary and skills throughout each unit of work. Lessons are sequenced appropriately to ensure that skills and knowledge are developed rigorously and systematically. All students undertake a practical assessment at the end of each half-termly unit, with feedback based on their performance, presentation and improvisation skills.  

There are opportunities for self and peer evaluation as part of this process, ensuring that every student will know what they can do to make their work better whilst encouraging them to be reflective and independent as drama practitioners.

Key Stage 3

Drama in Year 7 helps students develop the basic performance skills, explore emotive topics, work collaboratively, develop skills in improvisation and devising and introduce students to scripted performances. Students will learn new skills and be guided to look reflectively at the skills they are learning.

Drama in Year 8 builds on the knowledge they have learnt in Year 7. They will develop their performance and presentation skills as well as being introduced to specific styles of performance. They will work collaboratively, put themselves in someone else's shoes, be reflective of their own and others' practice and continue to build on their improvisation and devising skills. 

Drama in Year 9 encourages students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt in Year 7 and 8 and build on this initial foundation. Students will be introduced to the design elements of drama, the theatre practitioners and their styles of theatre. They will explore different job roles available in the performing arts industry, all the while developing their collaboration, communication and presentation skills.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, Drama students are studying BTEC Level 1/2 Performing Arts (Acting). This is a vocational course and aims to support learners develop their skills as actors or designers within the performing arts industry. Students will analyse live theatre, develop the advanced keys skills of performance and presentation and further develop the fundamental life skills of collaboration, communication and resilience. This programme of study is a coursework-based course based on three units, the final of which is an externally assessed practical exam with elements of analysis. 

drama curriculum map final 2023 24.pdf

Useful Links

Specifications