Curriculum Intent

Our vision in Drama is to encourage students to become well-rounded, empathetic, and confident individuals who aspire to be the best versions of themselves. In Drama, we support the development of students’ personal skills such as creativity, problem-solving, leadership and communication to prepare our young people for success across the wider school curriculum and for their lives beyond Sir Graham Balfour. Students are given a platform to work collaboratively with their peers across each year group; they are challenged to improvise and devise pieces of theatre as a team which provoke pupils to use their imagination whilst contributing ideas and listening to suggestions from others. The ethos of our Drama studio is to create a safe space where students feel respected and supported at all times. Character development techniques enable our students to put themselves in the shoes of others, improving consideration, awareness, and acceptance of people’s differences. Constructive peer feedback and evaluation is embedded into each lesson motivating our students to become reflective and proactive learners.

We have tailored the curriculum at KS3 level to support success at KS4, as students are equipped with fundamental performance skills and techniques and can articulate their creative choices by using a range of drama vocabulary. Our KS3 students are introduced to the foundations of production design, also engaging in live theatre evaluation which prepares them for the content at GCSE.  

Students can take part in extra-curricular opportunities such as KS3 Drama club and school productions. Our GCSE students also rehearse their performance/design pieces outside of lesson.

Key Stage 4 Exam Specification:

• Pearson GCSE Drama