There is one Drama Studio and an office. The Drama Department also has access to the hall and lecture theatre.

The Drama Department has excellent facilities. These include:

• Fully equipeed drama studio including lighting, control board and blackout curtains and blinds
• Computer with internet/intranet access, whiteboard, digital data projector and screen Soundfield system;
• Audio/Visual system for the use of cd’s, dvd’s, video’s and cassettes;
• Digital Cameras and access to video recording equipment;
• Extensive range of plays, textbooks and reference books;
• Stage make-up, props. and costumes;
• Flip chart, pens, paper and a whole variety of resource materials.

There are two full time members of staff. The Head of Department is Head of Expressive Arts and has many years of experience in Drama and Theatre. The Head of Department is responsible for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and the annual Academy Play. A full range of expertise in Drama is available to the students and can be delivered by both members of staff.

Course Outline/Overview

Key Stage 3

Students are taught in streamed sets and are timetabled for one lesson of Drama a week for one term only per year.

Key Stage 4

At the end of Year 9, students can opt for Drama at GCSE. Students are timetabled for four lessons a week in Year 10 and Year 11.

However, Drama at Key Stage 4 does involve a lot of performance work and students often rehearse at break, lunchtime and after school in order to fully prepare their projects.

LAM

Students are timetabled for one lesson a week for one term in Year 10 and Year 11. They are entered for an examination with the English Speaking Board which assesses and grades four areas of their speaking skills.

Life Skills

Students are timetabled for one lessons a week throughout Year 10 and year The aim of this course is to develop a whole variety of transferable skills which would be of enormous benefit to this particular cohort of students. They will be entered for at least one examination with the English Speaking Board, as well as gaining certification for a variety of projects.

Key Stage 5

Students can opt for Drama and Theatre Studies at AS and A2 Level. Students are timetabled for six lessons a week in Year 11 and year 12. However, students will rehearse in their own time to prepare assessment pieces.