Key Stage 3
Drama at Thornhill Community Academy provides pupils with the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate Drama through the curriculum and our extra-curricular Drama club. It centres on improving not only performance skills, and gaining a better knowledge of varying dramatic techniques but also helping students to improve their social skills. Drama encourages the development of co-operation & collaboration whilst also improving confidence in communication.

Students in Year 7 begin with an introduction to performance and analytical skills through the genres of naturalism, physical theatre and musical theatre. These skills are then developed in Year 8 when students participate in script writing, improvisation, devising and research topics. Year 9 builds upon previous skills learned and allows students to focus on contrasting text studies of DNA by Dennis Kelly and Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Throughout KS3 students develop an ability to evaluate their own and other’s work, laying the ground work for performance analysis should they choose to take the subject in KS4.

Key Stage 4

Why study this subject (Tech Award)? 
This course allows students to develop their understanding of the performing arts by examining practitioners’ work and the processes used to create performance. Students will also develop their performing arts skills and techniques through the reproduction of acting, dance and/or musical theatre repertoire as performers or designers.

Description of the course 
This course gives students the opportunity to develop Performing Arts specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The course is split into three components:

Component One - Exploring the Performing Arts (Internal Unit) This component will help you to understand the requirements of being a performer (in acting, dance, or musical theatre) and/or designer across a range of performances and performance styles.

Component Two - Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (Internal Unit) In this component, you will develop performing or design skills and techniques. You will have the opportunity to specialise as a performer or designer in one or more of the following disciplines: acting, dance, musical theatre. You will take part in workshops and classes where you will develop technical, practical and interpretative skills through the rehearsal and performance process. You will work from existing performing arts repertoire, applying relevant skills and techniques to reproduce performance or design elements of the work.

Component Three - Responding to a Brief (External Unit) In this component, you will have the opportunity to respond to a brief. You will be given a brief that outlines the performance and design requirements and that asks you to consider your target audience and to start the creative process by using the given stimulus included in the brief. Working as part of a group, you will develop your ideas for a workshop performance and apply your skills and techniques to communicate your creative intentions to your audience.

Other information 
Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects
• Study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Performing Arts, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the Performing Arts or Production Arts areas.

Curriculum Plans
Curriculum plans for Performing Arts can be viewed from the links below.