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Our Vision for the Drama Department
The drama department’s aim is to develop each child’s potential in drama and to provide all possible ways to achieve this. We aim to provide a safe, comfortable and reassuring classroom environment so that each student can understand themselves, others and society. It is important to us to create positive relationships within the classroom so that the students’ learning process is enhanced.
Over the course of the Drama curriculum it is our goal that each child will gain experience and develop their ability in using dramatic conventions and skills with confidence. It is also important that students use Drama as a tool in developing social skills. It is through the exploration of themes derived from other areas of the curriculum, the wider world and even the imagination, that students will achieve both goals.
Drama at Ladybridge ensures that students succeed in developing skills that they can transfer across the curriculum and it is essential that it supports other subjects. Drama offers students the opportunity to improve communication and independent learning skills. It allows students of all abilities to experience a level of success and achievement no matter what their degree of participation, and therefore increases a young person’s confidence and self esteem.
Independent Enquirers
The themes and issues used in drama often require students to ask questions, research and view problems from varying perspectives. They explore, evaluate and empathise with situations in the creation of any piece of work.
Creative Thinkers
Students think creatively when they present themes, issues and ideas in various inventive ways. They are also encouraged to tackle problems imaginatively during the rehearsal process. Working in a group encourages students to be creative when joining their own and others’ ideas together.
Team Workers
Drama is an excellent platform for students to enhance their ability in working in a group. They will collaborate with others to create and produce an end product, and therefore will use skills such as reaching agreements, showing consideration and co-operation, taking responsibility and providing constructive support and feedback to others.
Self Managers
Students are challenged in Drama and take responsibility to organise, manage and change elements such as time, opinions and priorities. Pupils also develop skills that they are encouraged to transfer into other subjects. Evaluating their own and each others work is also an important aspect in Drama and this increases students’ ability to seek advice and progress.
Effective Participators
All students can easily access the Drama curriculum as they are encouraged to engage in ideas and issues that are reflected in their lives both inside and outside the classroom. Drama enables students to discuss problems and seek practical solutions and provide a way of initiating steps forward in making improvements that affect them and those around them. Drama seeks to build up confidence in students so that they feel able to increase their contribution in all aspects of school life.
Reflective Learners
Students are expected to give constructive feedback and evaluate not only their own, but others’ work. They evaluate their strengths and limitations, setting themselves realistic goals with criteria for success. They monitor their own performance and progress, listening to feedback given from others and making changes to further their learning.
Members in the Drama Department
Emma Armitage Director of Standards for Drama
Trevor Kay Assistant Headteacher – Training KS3 Teacher for Drama
Curriculum
In year 7, Drama is taught as part of the Curriculum 2008 Program. Students will learn Drama skills and use Drama as a tool to investigate and explore Themes and ‘The Big Questions’. In years 8 and 9 all students study Drama for 1 lesson per week. Drama is offered as an option to be studied as a G.C.S.E. in years 10 and 11.