Drama
Our vision:
The Performing Arts Department at Orsett Heath Academy aims to provide learners with the skills to develop their confidence, leadership, communication, time management, organisation, creativity and self-discipline – all of which are key in helping to shape our students into emotionally intelligent, well-rounded individuals who are confident to explore and question the world around them.
We aim to build these qualities in our learners through engaging, creative, practical and theory based lessons that encourage learners to take risks and seize opportunities. Students are assessed both in their practical application of skills, as well as theoretical written assessments to really strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the arts.
Throughout their journey at Orsett Heath, we aspire for pupils to become increasingly more independent and creative in their work. In our schemes of work, pupils will explore a variety of genres of theatre based on three main components: devising, performing and interpreting theatre. Key Stage 3 topics are sequenced to build on foundational drama such as physical and vocal skills and naturalistic and abstract dramatic devices, exploring a variety of theatre genres, histories and playwrights. This introduces the key skills needed for GCSE and learning is sequenced to encourage pupils to become more autonomous in their creative process.
Assessment is ongoing and feedback is constant. The nature of performance is that it exists within the moment so verbal feedback is key for development. Built in to the schemes of work are consistent opportunities for written and verbal feedback from peers and for self-assessment. This is vital in shaping our learners to reflect on their creative choices and understand the artistic intentions of others.
The Performing Arts department aim to broaden pupils’ cultural capital with opportunities to watch plays, participate in workshops and perform to peers and those in the community by working closely with the Royal Opera House and other schools in the SWECET trust. Cross-curricular learning is prevalent, particularly with subjects such as English, PSHE, History and Creative Curriculum, in order for pupils to deepen their understanding and question the world around them.
We are very proud of our department here at Orsett Heath Academy and believe that all of our learners are given every opportunity to succeed, thrive and ultimately enjoy their lessons. Mutual respect is at the heart of everything we do and students are able to experiment and express themselves in a positive learning environment where everyone is supported, listened to and appreciated.
We see our key objectives as:
- Through devising theatre, we aim for students to work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas creatively.
- Whilst rehearsing and performing, we aim for students to build their confidence, self-esteem and transferrable skills for the wider world.
- By having opportunities to evaluate and interpret theatre, we aim to develop student’s cultural capital, empathy and awareness of a variety of cultures, theatre history and current affairs.
As a department, we believe that Drama is important to a student’s programme of study for a number of reasons:
- Drama has the ability to motivate learners to become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers.
- It boosts imagination and encourages self-expression, providing pupils with an outlet to have a voice.
- It is cross-curricular in nature so allows pupils to link learning and develop their cultural capital by learning about other cultures and develop understanding and empathy to help understand the world around them.
- Drama encourages pupils to work collaboratively to develop transferable skills such as emotional intelligence, tolerance and verbal and non-verbal communication.
Key Stage Three Programme of Study
Key Stage Four Programmes of Study
Exam Board -