Vision
At Magna Academy, we believe that Drama provides students with creative experiences that can prepare the minds of students to cope with the outside world as well as educating them about theatre. The key concepts in Drama are skills based with the intention to build personal skills, which can be relied upon to succeed, not only in drama, but also beyond academy life and in employment.
Intent
Students who study Drama at Magna Academy learn to express themselves in a safe and engaging environment and experience a multitude of different topics, themes and stimulus that they would not normally have the opportunity to do so outside of the classroom. Drama allows students to build on their imagination, creativity, confidence and communication skills as well as other multi-discipline abilities.
Our curriculum allows students to learn about theatre with schemes based around plays, practitioners and theatrical techniques as well as exploring cultural and social issues through drama. Our structure is based on the expectations for A Level Drama and Theatre Studies; key concepts and skills required by the end of year 13 are fed down into schemes of work from year 7 upwards. This is designed to raise expectations from the start of key stage 3 and ensures that drama knowledge is embedded and understood both practically and theoretically early on.
Implementation
In lessons, students have opportunities to devise their own work, use drama techniques and interpret the work of playwrights and practitioners. Practically, students develop their physical and vocal skills in performing to an audience and explore how meaning is communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Students also respond to a range of stimuli and the works of professional theatre makers. Through performance, students are encouraged to recognise their strengths and weaknesses as well as engage in constructive feedback to their fellows.
Outside the classroom, there are many opportunities for students to be involved with extra-curricular activities such as drama club, dance club, workshops with local and touring companies, The Magna Musical, Magna’s Got Talent and Young Performer of the year to name but a few.
Drama Curriculum Overview
Drama Age Related Expectations
Impact
These individual experiences again heighten the students’ knowledge and understanding of how Drama can be used outside the classroom whilst learning an abundance of new skills based around performing to a wider audience. As students enter Years 10 and 11, they are expected to take an active role in their drama education by taking advantage of the extra-curricular opportunities to enhance the knowledge gained from lessons.