Drama
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Year 7
Students learn the basics of Drama and Theatre by studying the basic skills and techniques necessary in Drama. This aims to give students a grounding in acting technique and a knowledge of key vocabulary that will last them throughout their time in Ysgol Penglais. Later in the year, students will continue to work on their acting skills by studying the Italian style of theatre; Commedia dell’ Arte – further developing their subject knowledge and technique by learning the art of being spontaneous. Finally, the summer term sees Year 7 devise their own pieces of theatre using the tales of the Mabinogion as a starting point, learning how to respond to live theatre and evaluate their own and others’ performances.
Module/Project title | Key assessment piece | Homework regularity | |
Autumn | Introduction to Drama Skills
Pantomime | 1 improvised group performance using a variety of techniques learnt across the term. 1 short performance that shows understanding of the conventions of Pantomime. | Homework is given at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with assessment pieces. |
Spring | Theatre Review Commedia dell’ Arte & Improvisation | NA 1 performance in the style of Commedia dell’ Arte. | Homework is given at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with assessment pieces. |
Summer | Mabinogion Project | 1 devised performance using the Mabinogion as a stimulus for ideas. | Homework is given at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with assessment pieces. |
Year 8
Students will begin by studying the theatrical style of Melodrama; developing and refining key skills learnt in Year 7 as well as learning new skills that will last them their time in Ysgol Penglais and beyond. The spring term sees students study a full play text, which will allow them to enhance their characterisation skills and consider the design process used within theatre. Students will also learn to create their own performances, using Social Media as a stimulus and a spring pad for ideas. They will explore different styles of theatre throughout the Spring term and use these to develop their work.
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Drama
| Term | Module/Project title | Key assessment piece | Homework regularity |
| Autumn | Melodrama
| 1 short performance of a Melodrama extract given by the class teacher and prepared in class. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with the preparation for assessments. |
| Spring | Text Study | 1 scripted performance of an extract from the play text studied over the term. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with the preparation for assessments. |
| Summer | Devising Theatre | 1 devised performance created in groups using Social Media as a stimulus for ideas. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher and usually coincides with the preparation for assessments. |
In music lessons, students will continue to build on the skills that they learnt in year 7. Throughout the first term, there will be a particular focus on musicality; looking at the theory behind what we have learnt so far, in a practical and engaging way. All students complete separate composition and performance tasks, as well as listening work based on the GCSE syllabus. We also study particular genres (such as a passing glance at ‘The Blues’, when we look at improvisation) and look at their stylistic characteristics, as well as learning to play in that style. We also look at music right up to the present day. All levels of skill are welcomed in the music department. There is an opportunity for the students to be involved further, they are welcome to participate in the extra-curricular life of the music department at Penglais. There are plenty of opportunities to get ‘stuck in’ with choir, percussion ensemble, wind band, string orchestra, brass band, folk group, various bands, the A Capella group and plenty more. If the students can’t see what they want, we encourage them to talk to Mr Budd who will try to set it up for them. Instrumental lessons are also available, with visiting peripatetic instrumental teachers provided by Ceredigion Music Service. An instrument hire scheme is also available – further details can be found on the Ceredigion Music Service website. |
Music
Year 9
As students prepare to choose their options in Year 9, the focus in Drama switches to the study of play texts and the decisions that are made by actors, designers and directors when creating and rehearsing theatre. Students will study different acting techniques, areas of design such as set and costume design as well as learn how to review and evaluate their own and others’ performances in a live theatre review. In the summer term, students will take part in a series of workshops that aim to highlight the different aspects of theatre that don’t necessary involve the stage such as design.
Term | Module/Project title | Key assessment piece | Homework regularity |
Autumn | Text Study:
Gang Culture | A series of GCSE style exam questions totalling 20 marks that will include both short and long answer questions. A short, class devised, project surrounding the issue of Gang Culture in the UK. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher as and when it is needed and usually coincides with preparation for assessment. |
Spring | Physical Theatre/Frantic Assembly | 1 performance that utilises the skills and techniques taught across the module and the practices of Frantic Assembly. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher as and when it is needed and usually coincides with preparation for assessment. |
Summer | Design/Skills Workshops Lighting | There will be no assessed piece in the summer term. | Homework is set at the discretion of the class teacher as and when it is needed and usually coincides with preparation for assessment. |
Year 10
WJEC GCSE Drama is made up of three individual units:
Unit 1 – Making Theatre – marked by Teacher and moderated by the WJEC
- Students will work in groups of between 2 and 5 actors + designers to create a piece of theatre inspired by a stimulus set by the WJEC.
- The performance must also be based on the working methods of one theatre practitioner or style of theatre.
- Students will complete a portfolio of evidence over the rehearsal process that is no more than 900 words in length.
- Students will also complete a written evaluation of the final performance piece under exam conditions over 90 minutes.
Unit 2 – Performing Theatre – externally assessed by the WJEC
- Students will work in groups of between 2 and 4 actors + designers to realise a short segment of a scripted play.
- Students will study two, ten minute extracts from the same play and cut the play text down so that the performance consists of two contrasting extracts lasting no more than 7-14 minutes depending on group sizes.
- A Statement of Intent must be completed prior to the examination date by all students, whether acting or designing, that outlines their artistic intentions for the performance.
Unit 3 – Interpreting Theatre – externally assessed by the WJEC
- This is a written exam split into two different sections. Section A (45 marks) is based on an extract from the set text (100 by the imaginary body) and Section B (15 marks) is a Live Theatre Evaluation.
In Section A, students must answer ALL questions. In Section B, a choice of two questions will be given to students who must choose one to answer.
Course Outline
| Weighting of Unit | Marks Available | Examination Period | |
| Unit 1 – Making Theatre | 40% | 60 | October – November Year 11 |
| Unit 2 – Performing Theatre | 20% | 60 | January – May Year 11 |
| Unit 3 – Interpreting Theatre | 40% | 60 | May – June Year 11 |
Year 10 Content
| Content | Assessment | |
| Summer 2 (Yr 9) | Theatre History | NA |
Autumn
| Practitioner/Style Study · Frantic Assembly (Physical Theatre) · Stanislavski (Naturalism) · Verbatim Theatre | Students will take part in a Devised Performance Project in small groups (2-4 actors + designers) which will be performed in the Emily Davies Studio at the University. Students will also complete a short portfolio of their work. |
Spring 1
Spring 2 | Set Text Study · 100 by the imaginary body
Live Theatre Evaluation
Practitioner/Style Study · Theatre in Education | Students will answer a series of short and long answer questions in a timed test.
Students will watch a (recorded as) live piece of theatre and write up their evaluation using a given exam question as guidance. The essay will be approx. 2 pages in length.
NA |
Summer
| UNIT 1 Preparation | Students will perform their Unit 1 Devised Theatre pieces under examination conditions.
Students will also complete their portfolio of evidence and their written evaluation of the final performance.
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Year 11
WJEC GCSE Drama is made up of three individual units:
Unit 1 – Making Theatre – marked by Teacher and moderated by the WJEC
- Students will work in groups of between 2 and 5 actors + designers to create a piece of theatre inspired by a stimulus set by the WJEC.
- The performance must also be based on the working methods of one theatre practitioner or style of theatre.
- Students will complete a portfolio of evidence over the rehearsal process that is no more than 900 words in length.
- Students will also complete a written evaluation of the final performance piece under exam conditions over 90 minutes.
Unit 2 – Performing Theatre – externally assessed by the WJEC
- Students will work in groups of between 2 and 4 actors + designers to realise a short segment of a scripted play.
- Students will study two, ten-minute extracts from the same play and cut the play text down so that the performance consists of two contrasting extracts lasting no more than 7-14 minutes depending on group sizes.
- A Statement of Intent must be completed prior to the examination date by all students, whether acting or designing, that outlines their artistic intentions for the performance.
Unit 3 – Interpreting Theatre – externally assessed by the WJEC
- This is a written exam split into two different sections. Section A (45 marks) is based on an extract from the set text (100 by the imaginary body) and Section B (15 marks) is a Live Theatre Evaluation.
In Section A, students must answer ALL questions. In Section B, a choice of two questions will be given to students who must choose one to answer.
Course Outline
| Weighting of Unit | Marks Available | Examination Period | |
| Unit 1 – Making Theatre | 40% | 60 | EITHER July Year 10 OR October – November Year 11 |
| Unit 2 – Performing Theatre | 20% | 60 | January – May Year 11 |
| Unit 3 – Interpreting Theatre | 40% | 60 | May – June Year 11 |
Year 11 Content
| Content | Assessment |
Autumn
| UNIT 1 revision of practitioners · Brecht/Splendid · Theatre in Education · Physical Theatre
UNIT 1 Rehearsal Process
Revision for Unit 3 – 100 |
Devised performance in pairs/threes held in December 2022 (dates TBC).
Mock Exam – December |
Spring
| UNIT 2 – Performing Theatre | Visited by an external examiner between January and May of Year 11 for performances/ design of two extracts from the same play. Usually done in pairs. |
Summer 1
| Final revision for Unit 3 · Revision packs containing sample questions given out to pupils. · Redrafts of theatre evaluations completed | NA |