Drama
Quality of Education
Drama plays a significant role within Elms Bank. It is ideal for cross-curricular learning and is a valuable tool for use in many subject areas. In particular, Drama develops literacy skills – supporting speaking and listening, extending vocabulary and encouraging pupils to understand and express different points of view. Drama gives young people opportunities to explore, discuss and deal with difficult issues and to express their emotions in a supportive environment. It enables them to explore their own cultural values and those of others, past and present. It encourages them to think and act creatively. Through Drama, children are encouraged to take responsible roles and make choices – to participate in and guide their own learning. Drama develops a pupil’s self-esteem, confidence and supports wider learning in essential areas such as communication, team work, independence and social interaction and there are many opportunities for pupils to participate at a variety of levels within all that is on offer at Elms Bank.
Explore Pathway: Students study Drama at KS3 through the Creative curriculum delivered over 10 sessions per week. The Creative curriculum is a thematic approach and includes drama, music, art, computing, product design, humanities and science. The curriculum is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding though a variety of learning experiences and approaches, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. Communication and independence are at the heart of the Creative curriculum. Students are encouraged to be curious learners and navigate their own learning through a range of engaging topic books. Students are assessed within Speaking & Listening and they progress sequentially through progression levels and bridge, onto milestones, allowing them to develop a greater depth and understanding of the key aspects of the theme. Performing Arts is delivered collaboratively at KS4 by the Music and Drama teachers with students working towards Arts Award Bronze (Level 1) accreditation.
Wellbeing: The drama department supports the development of positive learners by using the marking and feedback policy students aspire to achieve and respond positively to regular praise, use of stickers and stamps, pathway champions and postcards. Taking part in drama-based activities develops students’ confidence and self-worth allowing them to express themselves and make connections with others. Furthermore, it also cultivates a safe learning environment for participants to understand and connect with their emotions through drama and creative practice.
Values: The drama department supports the development of positive and resilient learners through the use of the marking and feedback policy. Learning is scaffolded, modelled and revisited to allow for students to succeed and opportunities to try again. All students achieve external accreditation in Performing Arts, differentiated across pathways. They are given opportunities to perform in school and in the local community boosting students’ self-esteem and confidence. Finally, students deepen their moral code in drama lessons through discussion of appropriate and relevant stimuli, helping them to develop into students with integrity and a strong moral sense of right and wrong.
SMSC: In Drama we incorporate a range of critical and contextual influences and inspirations, covering a variety of cultures, beliefs, ideas and religions. Students are encouraged to appreciate that all cultures have expression, purpose and artistic worth. Students are encouraged to have an open mind when observing and discussing work allowing them to appreciate others viewpoints that may challenge their own beliefs. They are encouraged to give appropriate feedback to peers in a variety of ways, giving justification for their views. Students can apply this to their daily lives ensuring that they are able to voice opinions in the appropriate way. They are encouraged to work collaboratively, take on leadership roles and develop teamwork skills. Pupils are empowered to apply their drama skills and knowledge to the wider curriculum
Extra-Curricular Opportunities: Students are encouraged to experience and take part in range of live performances during the course of the year and cross curricular activities occur on a regular basis including the whole school play where the use of all genres of the arts is required. Opportunities exist for pupils to experience Drama through visits to the theatre, concerts, in school master classes and workshops from theatre companies, authors and musicians.
CEIAG: Drama is a creative and highly inter-connected discipline that provides useful skills that support students in real life such as the ability to communicate, problem solve, understand and appreciate themselves and others as well as developing self-worth. Students have the opportunity to undertake learning related to real life, such as taking part in live performances in school and within the local community in addition to gaining insight to drama based roles through visits to the theatre, concerts, in school master classes and workshops from theatre companies, authors and musicians.