Curriculum Allocation
Performing Arts is taught for one 100-minute lesson per fortnight.
Curriculum Period 1: An Introduction to Performing Arts and Devising Theatre
Curriculum content:
In the first part of this curriculum period, students will have an introduction to the subject. They will learn, explore and practise different characterisation skills; have an introduction to key vocabulary; learn the names of stage positions and begin to look at different theatre styles such as physical theatre. We will explore how technology can be used in performance.
Students will also explore why we study the performing arts, the transferable skills we will develop and learn a brief history of theatre.
During this curriculum period, students will have the opportunity to participate in a project and the auditions and initial rehearsals for the school show will begin.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on a practical performance of their devised piece and marked on the quality of their piece and acting skills.
Curriculum Period 2: Script Work
Curriculum content:
Students will read and explore the play ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ by Alan Ayckbourn. Areas of study will include: plot, character and context. Alongside this, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of writing about acting. They will explore different question types that tie in with the AQA GCSE Drama written exam.
Students will then put their playscript knowledge into practice by creating their own work for performance.
Students will also learn about and explore technical theatre design with a focus on costume.
The second curriculum project will be set during this period.
Assessment
Students will have a written exam that tests their understanding of the play, characters and context as well as their ability to write about acting.
Curriculum Period 3: Devising and Theatre Review
Curriculum content:
Students will watch, analyse, review and write about a digitally streamed live production. This will develop their ability to critique the work of other performers, improve their knowledge of the theatre world and help to inform their own practical work.
Alongside this, students will explore a range of careers, roles and responsibilities within the theatre world with a focus on playwrights, directors and stage managers.
Subject advice and guidance
If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:
leanne.black@endon.set.org
Curriculum Allocation
Performing Arts is taught for one 100-minute lesson per fortnight.
Curriculum Period 1: Technical theatre and the study of a play
Curriculum content:
In this first curriculum period, students will begin by exploring the roots of modern theatre. We will look at the history of Greek theatre alongside an exploration the chorus.
Our development of skills and knowledge will then move on to puppet work where we look at the National Theatre, their work with puppets and have a go at making our own and using them in some devised work.
In the final part of this curriculum period, we will read and study the play 'Alice in Wonderland'. Our approach to this will be from a technical perspective and we will explore, in particular, set design. This section will also allow students to further develop their writing about acting skills with a focus on the use of the stage in performance.
Assessment
Students will have a written assessment based around their work on 'Alice in Wonderland'.
Curriculum Period 2: Script Work - 'Alice in Wonderland'
Curriculum content:
In this curriculum period we are going to look at further developing our knowledge of the theatre world. Students will study and explore the work of Brecht, the theatre company Paperbirds and further their skills in physical theatre.
In the second part of this period, students will explore Theatre-in-Education and use this new knowledge to devise their own work.
Assessment
Students will have a practical exam where they will perform their own TIE pieces. They will be marked on the quality of their pieces and their acting skills.
Curriculum Period 3: Devising and Theatre Review
Curriculum content:
Students will watch, analyse, review and write about a digitally streamed live production. This will develop their ability to critique the work of other performers, improve their knowledge of the theatre world and help to inform their own practical work.
Alongside this, students will explore a range of careers, roles and responsibilities within the theatre world.
Subject advice and guidance
If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:
leanne.black@endon.set.org
Curriculum Allocation
Performing Arts is taught for one 100 lesson per fortnight.
Curriculum Period 1: Script Work – ‘Blue Remembered Hills’
Curriculum content:
In this curriculum period, students will begin by looking at the world of musical theatre. This will involve exploring the work of professionals in this field and then creating their own work.
In the second part of the period, students will read, study and perform extracts from the play 'Blue Remembered Hills' by Dennis Potter. Through this, students will also continue to develop their writing about acting skills with a focus on character interpretation and presentation.
Assessment
Students will have a written assessment based around the play they have studied and their understanding of the characters, plot and themes.
Curriculum Period 2: Developing Knowledge and Skill
Curriculum content:
Students will begin this period with an exploration of the theatre practitioner Stanislavski. They will study his life and work alongside a practical exploration of his techniques and ideas.
Mask work is next on the agenda from simple white masks to the half face and full face Trestle masks.
Students will also have a lesson looking at performing the work of Shakespeare.
To finish this curriculum period, students will do some devising from a stimulus which provides a taste of a GCSE style task.
Assessment
Students will have a practical exam where they will perform their devised work from a stimulus.
Curriculum Period 3: Devising and Theatre Review
Curriculum content:
Students will watch, analyse, review and write about a digitally streamed live production. This will develop their ability to critique the work of other performers, improve their knowledge of the theatre world and help to inform their own practical work.
Alongside this, students will explore a range of careers, roles and responsibilities within the theatre world.
Subject advice and guidance
If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:
leanne.black@endon.set.org
Specification/Exam Board
AQA 8261
- Component 1: Understanding Drama (written exam). Forms 40% of the GCSE and is taken at the end of Year 11.
- Component 2: Devising Drama. Practical performance and written devising log -forms 40% of whole GCSE
- Component 3: Texts in Practice. Practical performance of two extracts from a play - forms 20% of whole GCSE
Curriculum Allocation
Drama is taught for three 100 minute lessons per fortnight.
Curriculum Period 1:
Curriculum content
The teaching and progress aim of this curriculum period is to introduce the pupils to the study of Drama at GCSE. We will also develop, improve and refine the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in this subject.
For the first part of this curriculum period, students will be given a scripted monologue and group piece to rehearse and perform. Students will receive marks and feedback based on the GCSE Component 3 marking criteria.
The next piece we will work in is a devised piece called 'Twisted Fairytales'. Here students will have opportunity to work on the creativity, inventiveness and group working skills.
Students will then study the play 'Alice' by Laura Wade. This is in preparation for Component 3 of the GCSE. Students will explore this play through both practical and written work.
Assessment
- Completion of a Component 1 style paper – Sections A and B only
Curriculum Period 2:
Curriculum content
The first part of this curriculum period will be an introduction to the set text for Section B of Component 1, ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willie Russell. Students will explore the plot, characters and context of the play alongside getting a taste of the exam questions and prepping some technical designs.
The next focus will be on a practical piece. This will be a scripted performance and allow students to explore the identity of their own work with a varied collection of scripts presented.
The final area for study in this period is a practice piece for Component 2 of the GCSE. This will be devising from a stimulus and allow students to do a full dry run of the creation, rehearsal and performance process.
Assessment
- Practical performance of a scripted piece.
- Component 1 practice paper – Sections A and B only
Curriculum Period 3:
Curriculum content
Students will spend their time on preparation of Component 1 - Section C (analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers). This will involve watching a streamed or live performance followed by exploration of how effective students perceive characters' performances in conveying meaning to an audience.
Revision
- CGP Revision guides
- Youtube Drama teacher revision videos
- Knowledge organisers
- Past papers
- BBC Bitesize
Subject advice and guidance
If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:
leanne.black@endon.set.org
Specification/Exam Board
AQA 8261
- Component 1: Understanding Drama (written exam). Forms 40% of the GCSE and is taken at the end of Year 11.
- Component 2: Devising Drama. Practical performance and written devising log -forms 40% of whole GCSE
- Component 3: Texts in Practice. Practical performance of two extracts from a play - forms 20% of whole GCSE
Curriculum Allocation
Drama is taught for three 100 minute lessons per fortnight.
Curriculum Period 1:
Curriculum content
This curriculum period is spent working on Component 2: Devising Drama, which requires students to work collaboratively to produce a piece based on given stimuli. Alongside this, students will write their devising log. This piece and devising log will be examined by the teacher and moderated by the exam board. The filming of the exam performance and the completion of the evaluative, third section of the devising log will be completed at the beginning of Curriculum Period 2.
A revision of topics for Component 1 will be done through review tasks and homeworks. Students have opportunity to revise Section A (multiple choice – Theatre Roles and Responsibilities) and Section B (‘Blood Brothers’) of the written exam as well as watching clips of the live theatre performance for Section C and practising exam questions.
Assessment
- Continued work on Devising Drama coursework including devising log
- Mock Exam for Component 1
Curriculum Period 2:
Curriculum content
Students will primarily focus on final rehearsals of the devised piece before the recorded and assessed performance. Students will then write the third section of the devising log in which they analyse and evaluate their contribution to the piece performed including an honest appraisal of how they feel their skills have developed during the process
In the second part of the curriculum period, students will work on Component 3: Texts in Practice. In this time, students will choose their play from a given selection, identify two extracts and rehearse them. Students can choose to perform a monologue, duologue or group piece in any combination across the two extracts. The AQA examiner will attend the school during this curriculum period to assess the students on these performances.
A revision of topics for Component 1 will be done through review tasks and homeworks. Students have opportunity to revise Section A (multiple choice – Theatre Roles and Responsibilities) and Section B (‘Blood Brothers’) of the written exam as well as watching clips of the live theatre performance for Section C and practising exam questions.
Assessment
- Mock exam – Component 1 (all sections)
- Component 2 – coursework assessment of practical performance and devising log
- Component 3 – practical assessment
Curriculum Period 3:
Curriculum content
Students will spend their remaining lessons of Year 11 revising Component 1: Understanding Drama. Lessons will focus on the different sections of the exam paper.
Assessment
- Final submission to the exam board of coursework for Component 2: Devising Drama
- Final exam for Component 1: Understanding Drama
Revision resources
- CGP Revision guides
- Youtube Drama teacher revision videos
- Knowledge organisers
- Past papers
- GCSE Bitesize
Subject advice and guidance
If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:
leanne.black@endon.set.or