Drama

At St Aldhelm's Academy, we believe that learning through drama is a natural and powerful way for students to explore, express, and make sense of the world around them. Drama serves as both a creative process and a pedagogy that deepens understanding of what it means to be human. Our vision is for students to use drama to develop empathy, respect, and collaboration, which are key components of our Performing Arts department and reflect the wider ethos of the Academy.

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 (KS3), we offer a diverse range of drama skills to help students engage both critically and creatively with various stimuli and theatre texts. Pupils will have opportunities to perform, collaborate, and explore different roles, working in groups and as individuals. Through practical and theoretical lessons, students will explore fundamental aspects of drama, such as improvisation, character development, and storytelling. We aim to help students build their self-confidence, creativity, and communication skills while learning to collaborate effectively with others.

At KS3, we provide students with the opportunity to experience professional performance work. They learn about the different elements that make up a performance, including lighting, sound, staging, and direction. Our students also participate in school clubs and extracurricular activities that further explore drama, enhancing their passion and abilities.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4 (KS4), students who choose to specialize in drama can either pursue a BTEC in Performing Arts or a GCSE in Drama. At this stage, students delve deeper into the study of drama, examining and working with professional practitioners' performance pieces. They explore the relationships between the various elements of a performance, such as text, movement, sound, and lighting.

KS4 students also get the chance to attend professional performances outside of school hours, seeing live drama in action and gaining inspiration from real-world productions. Our in-school professional stage, equipped with high-quality lighting and sound, provides the perfect environment for students to hone their performance skills and build confidence. We nurture their growth as performers, offering them the tools to express themselves on stage and prepare for future opportunities in the performing arts.