Drama & Performing Arts

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Montpelier High School recognises that Drama & Performing Arts has a unique contribution to make to the school curriculum. It allows for personal and social development, fosters creativity and imaginative thought and helps prepare a student for adult life. It increases the individual’s confidence in her own abilities, in particular the ability to communicate – verbally and non-verbally.

It is also a subject which promotes significant academic skills. The textual analysis required in Drama & Performing Arts is an extension of skills learned in English lessons. The ability to evaluate one’s own work and behaviour is a skill specifically taught as part of any Drama & Performing Arts syllabus which is of value throughout the school. The reading of Drama & Performing Arts texts promotes an increased awareness of the spoken and written word, and the relationship between them.

Participation in Dramatic performances promotes social skills. In Drama & Performing Arts lessons, students learn about group co-operation; the concepts of joint responsibility and interdependence. All these are significant academic and life skills – of increasingly high profile in the current academic debate.

Our Aims

To encourage each pupil to gain confidence and self-belief.
To encourage pupils to work safely, considerately and productively in groups of various sizes, in pairs or individually.
To encourage each pupil to explore and investigate the world of theatre, from its origins to the present day through literature, the media, workshops, improvisation and theatre trips.
To teach each pupil the fundamental concepts of rehearsal and performance developing their knowledge with each key stage.
To encourage creativity and expression.
To safely guide the pupils in all technical and backstage aspects such as rigging and designing stage lighting, sound and stage management, prop designing and making, costume and make up design, even publicity and front of house management.
To develop a practical and theoretical understanding of various theatre practitioners, theatrical styles and theatrical developments.

Curriculum Outline

The aims of KS3 Drama is to provide an opportunity to introduce, develop and expand a wide range of drama skills and concepts.
The course is taught in a progressive manner, building on knowledge and understanding throughout the Key Stage.
The course is taught primarily in a practical manner.
The practical based course enables students to devise, present and evaluate drama.
The pupils explore a wide range of theatrical styles, genres and techniques.
Throughout the Key Stage students will study a range of texts from Shakespeare to modern scripts.
We aim to provide the pupils with a firm foundation from which they can choose to develop their skills into GCSE Drama and A Level Drama.