KS3 Curriculum

Year 7

In Year 7 students will begin to develop a range of skills needed in Drama through the exploration of a range of texts and practical tasks to build strong foundations in performance and creative thinking. Exploring different styles, stories and dramatic forms helps students develop confidence, communication skills and empathy, while encouraging them to see the world from multiple perspectives.

Autumn 1 - New Beginnings:

Understanding a new subject and working environment, 

Introduction to Drama skills -Facial Expressions, Body Language, Still Images.

Autumn 2 - New Beginnings:

Exploring different personalities through Drama performance. 

Skills - Comedy, Exaggerated Physical/Vocal Skills, Chorus Work, Addressing the Audience (breaking the 4th wall)

Spring 1 - Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations:

Exploring a script & learning how they are constructed. 

Skills- Roleplay, Narration, Vocal and Physical skills, Monologues. 

Spring 2 - Physical Theatre:

Using Stimuli to create images/movements.

Skills - Physical Theatre, Physical Skills, Group work.

Summer 1 - Macbeth 

Shakespeare’s language & universal themes of power.  

Skills - Role play, script as stimulus for improv, Movement Skills, Monologues, Soundscapes

Summer 2 - Matilda

Amalgamating all skills learnt through the year. 

Year 8

In Year 8 Drama, students build on the skills developed in Year 7 by deepening their understanding of performance and character creation. Students will learn to collaborate, problem-solve and express ideas both creatively and thoughtfully while exploring a range of texts and styles. Through engaging with a range of stories, styles and relevant topics, students learn how to develop believable characters and communicate ideas with clarity and purpose. Practical tasks encourage creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, while helping students explore different perspectives and issues in a safe and supportive environment. The skills are valuable not only for students who continue with Drama, but also for those who choose other pathways, supporting success across the curriculum and in everyday life. 

Autumn 1 - Perseus and Medusa

Exploring Greek Theatre and timeless moral themes.

Skills - Still Images, Physical Theatre Narration, Physical/Vocal Skills, Cross Cutting, Thought Tracks. 

Autumn 2 - Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s Comedy through Characterisation.

Skills - Characterisation, Interpretation of original texts, Thought Tracking, Still Images, Physical/Vocal skills 

Spring 1 - Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

Understanding Autism. Modern Theatre styles in Performance - Frantic Assembly.

Skills - Script work, Physical Theatre, Hot Seating, Characterisation

Spring 2 - Commedia Dell Arte

Exploring 18th Century Italian Theatre and Theatre HIstory.

Skills - Comedic Physical Theatre, Characterisation, devised and spontaneous improvisation for devising skills 

Summer 1 - London Riots

Exploring Injustice and Civil Rights, Race, Equality.

Skills - Still Images, Physical Theatre, Narration, Physical/Vocal Skills, Cross Cutting, Thought Tracks - all to symbolise current and historical injustice.

Summer 2 - Murder Mystery 

Amalgamating all physical and vocal skills learnt through the year to create a believable character that is formed through the duration of the term.