Drama at Spa Bermondsey
Drama at Spa Bermondsey focuses on supporting pupils develop their speaking and listening skills in a group setting. A range of genres are explored throughout the Drama curriculum including pantomime, comedy, monologues, fables and fairy tales, historical fiction and musicals. Drama is used to increase pupils’ confidence when performing and presenting as well supporting them to explore and increase their creativity and imagination. Drama techniques support pupils’ empathetic responses in a range of situations as well allowing role play to explore responses and reactions in a range of settings.
In Key Stage 3, pupils learn a range of introductory drama techniques including freeze frame, hot seating, mime, the use of scripts and improvisation. Pupils are taught a range of drama games that encourage whole class participation including use of the parachute, circle games, call and response games and reaction games.
Pupils begin to develop their awareness of the needs of the audience and their role as performer. The focus is very much on group collaboration, listening and responding to each other and beginning to work as a team.
In KS4 there is a stronger emphasis on presentation skills and the use of body language to show a range of emotions. Pupils learn how to build and sustain performance characters and how to respond to other characters in a range of drama structures. Some pupils explore directing skills while building on their previous team work skills. Pupils with complex needs consolidate and strengthen their skills working with and responding to each other through a range of drama games that have a strong sensory element.
In Key Stage 5, some pupils are able to select Drama as an Option. Here they will complete accreditation towards WJEC Creative Media units including Using the Voice, Using the Body and Creating a Group Performance. Drama remains on the timetable for pupils with complex needs and schemes focus on pupils responding to each other and collaboration.
In each lesson, pupils will have a learning objective that focuses specifically on the drama technique being taught in that unit, as well as working towards their weekly speaking and listening target. Pupils in KS5 can be awarded Entry 2 or Entry 3 accreditation from WJEC in Creative Arts units.
Drama lessons allow pupils to practice their group communication skills outside of the classroom in a practical, kinaesthetic way.
We have links with The Globe and take part in their annual Winter Performance. Each Summer, each class works on one scene of a school-wide drama project, often focusing on a Shakespearean Play or element of poetry.
