WELCOME TO THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT
Drama has a strong place within the cultural life of Ullswater Community College. In curricular work there is a tradition of excellent results and there has been a significant increase in the number of students opting for GCSE and A Level Drama. Extracurricular activities are many and varied allowing all students the opportunity for involvement in several performances a year.
KEY STAGE 3
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 experience two lessons of Drama per fortnight. Lessons are based around practical work, with each half term culminating in a final performance or presentation. Students are regularly assessed on the three areas of Creating, Performing and Responding.
Click here for Key Stage 3 National Curriculum Information.
KEY STAGE 4
The department follows the Edexcel GCSE course at Key Stage 4. Work in Year 10 is very practical and involves developing the skills, knowledge and understanding required for Year 11 when the majority of the assessment takes place. The coursework involves studying the play
Blue Remembered Hills and the theme War both practically and through written evidence. The practical exam involves a short performance to a visiting examiner.
Click here for the GCSE Specifications
KEY STAGE 5
The Edexcel
A-Level Theatre Studies and
BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts courses are offered at Key Stage 5. Theatre Studies involves exploration of set texts, responding to live theatre, performing published plays and devising original work. Students are assessed through both written and practical coursework and exams. The Performing Arts BTEC is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in dance technique, dance appreciation and creative ability.
DRAMA IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
The Drama Department produces a variety of performances throughout the year involving students from all year groups. Past productions have included large-scale musicals, such as Oliver! in July 2010, and an ‘in the round’ performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in December 2010. Most recently the department staged Sixth Form productions of Daisy Pulls it Off (July 2011) and Lord of the Flies (November 2011).
We regularly take part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and Rock Challenge which has involved performing at Theatre by the Lake, The Brewery Arts Centre, The Old Laundry Theatre and The Sands Centre. These productions involve collaboration with a number of departments including Art and Music. Theatre trips are an essential addition to students’ education. These are regularly organised for examination groups to see a variety of productions both locally and nationally. Recent trips have included a Year 10 residential trip to London to see War Horse and Wicked.
