The films we consume, the performances we watch at the theatre, our favourite TV show all share one thing in common and that is drama. For thousands of years we have been entertained by performance, we have laughed, cried, been horrified, but more importantly, we have come together, unified in this shared cathartic experience. Students at Felixstowe School benefit from a rich and diverse Drama curriculum from KS3 through to Key Stage 4.
At the start of their journey students will be introduced to the art of improvisation and audience awareness, touching on that need to connect and evoke emotion amongst those watching. We know how important communication is and developing those skills in order to be effective communicators, therefore we dedicate a lot of curriculum time working practically with others, sharing ideas, considering language, gesture, and voice. Students will also learn about key figures and their approaches, such as Konstantin Stanislavski and Bertolt Brecht, both of which are introduced to students at Key Stage 3.
Drama at Felixstowe School will develop and nurture the skills required to collaborate with others in applying structure, form and style. Students will develop a comprehensive knowledge of personal vocal and physical skills necessary for the embodiment of convincing character.
Our Drama curriculum is designed in a way so that it not only builds on those experiences of KS2, but also embraces the connections with other subjects, such as History and English. We also recognise the importance of Drama in the wider context and the part it plays in developing confidence, enhancing communication skills, and honing analytical skills, which are really important life skills needed in nearly all vocations.
Key Stage 3 Drama – Curriculum Overview
Year 7 Curriculum Map 2023-24
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Skills Introduction of key skills and techniques | Silent Movie Development of key skills, techniques and genre | Horror Introduction of lighting and props to be used to create tension and suspense | Mask Introduction of the key skills and techniques used for mask work | Physical Theatre Introduction of key skills, techniques, physicality and styles | Grimm Tales Consolidation of the learning that has happened in Year 7 Drama lessons over the year |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Year 8 Curriculum Map 2023-24
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Melodrama Build on the skills and techniques learnt in Year 7 in the ‘Silent Movie’ module | Blood Brothers Explore the text and themes in the play ‘Blood Brothers’ | Shakespeare (including stage combat) Introducing stage combat techniques and routines. Then use practicals to explore Shakespearean texts and develop modern interpretations | Noughts & Crosses Practically explore the themes within the play | Gender stereotypes – ‘Cross Channel’ Practically explore gender stereotypes and lead into diversity | Practitioners Introduce Brecht, Stanislavski and build on the work in Year 7 on Frantic Assembly, to include DV8 |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Year 9 Curriculum Map 2023-24
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| John Godber. Exploring the scripts of John Godber. | London Riots Exploring practically the events that led up the riots in London in 2009. | DNA Looking at gang culture, peer pressure and failure to accept responsibilities. | Jekyll & Hyde Exploring the text and themes practically in aid to underpin the work in GCSE English. | Keeping safe Exploring County Lines, Exploitation and online bullying practically. | Witchcraft Practically exploring the theme and texts of ‘Macbeth’ and ‘The Crucible’ to underpin the work in GCSE English and also consolidate all prior learning. |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-25
| Autumn 1 and 2 | Spring 1 and 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
| Year 10 09/22 – 07/23 | Performance module based on edited script or stimuli for devised work.. Perform to an invited audience w/b 11/12/23 Pupils to complete a mock portfolio to accompany this unit. Theatre trip 09/11/23 Complete notes for comp 3 exam | Comp 3: Read DNA and explore the text practically as well as theoretically. Incorporate Comp 2 by asking pupils to prepare a monologue or duo-logue from DNA that can be assessed using Comp 2 criteria. | Comp 1: Start the final Comp1 unit including portfolio. | Comp 3 mock exam written paper Comp 1: including portfolio |
| Year 11 09/23 – 07/24 | Complete Comp 1 Autumn 2: Comp 3 recap and revise for January mock exam | Comp 2 exams | Comp 3 exam preparation | Comp 3 exam preparation |
Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-24
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 and 2 |
| Comp 1 completed Assessment performance Tuesday 17/10/23 First full draft of portfolios W/B 06/11/23 | Comp 3 preparation for Jan mock DNA Theatre visit 09/11/23 | Comp 3 mock exam Begin Comp 2. Issue text choices to pupils for monologues/ duologues and group pieces. | Comp 2 exam Examiner visit w/b 11/03/24 or 18/03/24 | Comp 3 exam prep and revision EXAM likely to be w/b 13/05/24 OR 20/05/24 |
Curriculum Map for A-levels 2023-24
Year 13 (09/2023 – 06/2024)
| Autumn 1 and 2 | Spring 1 and 2 | Summer 1 and 2 |
| Comp 1 Accidental Death of An Anarchist using Brecht – Devising Performance November and first draft portfolio by Xmas Comp 3 – LTE trip and prep 500 words for exam and re-visit Equus and Hedda (Stan) Prep for C3 EXAM IN May/JUNE | Mock Exam prep for January exam Prep for C2 exam in March Portfolio feedback/interventions – FINAL DEADLINE BEFORE FEB HALF TERM | Prep for C3 exam in May/June |
| 49 lessons minimum | 42 lessons minimum | 21 lessons minimum |
Year 12 (09/2023 – 06/2025)
| Autumn 1 (7) | Autumn 2 (7) | Spring 1 (7) | Spring 2 (5) | Summer 1 (6) | Summer 2 (7) | |
| YEAR 12 | Practitioner workshops linked to prep for C1 and workshop diary Prep for C3 MOCK EXAM 17-27 June | LTE Practice theatre trip (for mock in June) – LTE notes/practice essays | Mock C1 Devising Performance based on a random extract and actual chosen practitioner and mini-portfolio | C3 Text choices prep (Equus and Hedda or Woyzeck) C2 Mock exam using C3 texts (date TBA) | C3 Text choices prep (Equus and Hedda or Woyzeck) C2 Mock exam using C3 texts (date TBA) Study of actual C1 Stimulus text and in conjunction with actual practitioner | Prep for C3 Mock Exam 17-27 June Study of actual C1 Stimulus text extract and in conjunction with actual practitioner |
| 49 lessons minimum | 42 lessons minimum | 21 lessons minimum | ||||
| Year 13 | C1 Prep Prep for C3 Mock in January | C1 Devising Performance exam and first draft portfolio Prep for C3 Mock in January LTE trip for actual exam (TBA) | C3 Mock exam in January Prep for C2 | C2 Exam in March | Prep for C3 Exam | C3 Exam |
For any further information, please contact the Head of Department, Mrs Pilcher, at gpilcher@fxs.org.uk.