Welcome to the Drama Department

Welcome to the Drama and Theatre Studies Department at Poole High School. The aim of drama in the curriculum is to provide opportunities for students to develop their confidence, personality and understanding of others, as well as give them an insight into the social, historical, cultural and political understanding of drama and the world of theatre.

We have established links with the local community and regularly work alongside outside theatre companies and professional actors. There are opportunities for students to link with The Lighthouse, Arts University Bournemouth and other schools to help develop skills, both with acting and technical support.

Students from all key stages are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular clubs and productions throughout the year.

Departmental Courses

  • GCSE Drama

Who do I contact for more information?

Miss V Bartholomew (v.bartholomew@poolehigh.poole.sch.uk)

At KS3,  the study of drama will develop students as individuals and members of a community. In each lesson, students will work in teams to create and share performances from a variety of stimuli, both scripted and devised. We encourage creative thinking and strive to build confident, self-reflective and empathetic young people who are able to work with a wide range of personalities, readying them for their future world of work.

As well as this, we aim to develop an understanding and love of the craft of theatre through a variety of means. Students will learn about an assortment of dramatic techniques and styles to apply to their own performances. They will gain inspiration for their own performances by looking to the professionals taking opportunities to see both live and recorded productions throughout the year.

Students from all key stages are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular clubs and productions throughout the year.

Performing Arts – GCSE Drama

Why study Drama?

Enjoy performing? Enjoy watching live theatre? Enjoy getting creative with play scripts? If so, this GCSE is for you! Studying drama at GCSE gives you opportunities to create original, imaginative drama whilst improving your analytical and evaluative skills. It also gives you the chance to dive into play texts and consider how you would direct, perform and design for them, giving you freedom to express your creativity and imagination.

Not only that, but through drama, you will also develop and hone skills to help you with your other subjects and in your future career, such as teamwork, creativity, communication, resilience, and problem-solving… the list is endless!

Units include:

  • Understanding Drama – Studying Blood Brothers practically and analytically, theatre trips to appreciate and review theatre (as well as for stealing ideas!)
  • Devising Drama – Creating drama based on music, images, headlines, stories, and anything else we can take influence from! We take inspiration from different styles of theatre.
  • Texts in Practice – Working in teams, pairs or individually, creating performances from scripts, experimenting with a range of techniques to create the desired impact

Assessment

  • Component 1: end of Year 11 written exam: Section A – Theatre roles, Section B – Blood Brothers, Section C – Live Theatre Review
  • Component 2: devised performance, based on a range of stimuli, with a devising log
  • Component 3: performance of two key extracts from a published play to an external examiner

Which students do well at Drama?

  • …those who love seeing live theatre and have an analytical eye
  • …those who love performing or designing, and don’t mind an audience
  • …those who love a creative challenge and a passion for all things drama!

Which future careers can Drama help me aspire to?

medicine, management, law, business, animation

 

BTEC PERFORMING ARTS

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Performing Arts – Course Content

Who is it for?

The Foundation Diploma is for learners looking to study performing arts alongside another area of contrasting or complementary study, as part of a two-year, full-time study programme. If taken as part of a programme of study that includes other BTEC Nationals or A Levels, it supports progression to higher education. It also supports progression to an apprenticeship in the performing arts sector.

Mandatory Units

  1. Investigating Practitioners’ Work
  2. Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
  3. Group Performance Workshop
  4. Performing Arts in the Community

Optional Units

Dance, singing or acting techniques; choreography, writing or directing; musical theatre; storytelling, and many more!

Assessment:

Equivalent in size to 1.5 A Levels. 6 units of which 4 are mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (76%). External assessment (41%).

Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirement is:

  • GCSE English 4 or above
  • GCSE Maths 4 or above
  • GCSE in Drama/ Dance/ Music 4 or above
  • Performance experience, either in school or with outside groups

Skills required and developed:

  • cognitive and problem-solving: critical thinking
  • intrapersonal: communicating, working collaboratively, self-presentation, negotiating and influencing
  • interpersonal: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development

Access and opportunities to your future:

  • gateway to university courses – see Creative Careers Google Classroom for a variety
  • apprenticeship opportunities
  • careers/employment in the performing arts sector, or otherwise
  • careers of the future
  • transferable skills necessary for any employment setting

Careers and Future Opportunities.

Students who study drama often go onto university degrees, apprenticeships or conservatoires specialising in performing arts. Drama can offer careers as a performer, teacher, director, therapist, journalist or community practitioner. As well as these more obvious careers, drama provides students with the opportunity to build key skills for careers in fields such as medicine, law, management, business and so many more.

Performing arts roles that also benefit from the study of drama include arts administrator, presenter, filmmaker, producer, backstage technician and designer, writer or in the TV industry. Check out Get Into Theatre’s guide to careers in drama here:  https://getintotheatre.org/blog/complete-list-of-jobs-in-theatre-industry

If you already attend Poole High School, you can access our Creative Careers Google Classroom for lots of opportunities and information.