Drama

“Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it.

We must all do theatre – to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become.”

Augusto Boal

Drama at Fernwood

At Fernwood we believe that the benefits of receiving a drama education from specialist teaching staff are immense.

The identity and purpose of drama is tailored to our students and community. It is both a pedagogic approach (we teach through drama) and subject in its own right (we teach about drama.)

We believe that drama should be practical, immediate and engage the emotions as well as the intellect. It develops social skills and personal confidence, talents which may be transferred to any subject or future profession. An infinite number of ideas can be taught using dramatic approaches and this impacts upon the wider school curriculum.

However, at Key Stage 4, our students will be assessed on drama as a craft for nationally recognised qualifications and many may wish to further pursue the study of performance. Therefore we teach our students how to create, perform and respond to theatrical works.

At Fernwood we believe that striking a balance between these two approaches is key, and our offering is personalised to the students we teach.

Department Aims

Develop the skills of students in being able to create, perform and respond to drama through classroom activities that integrate these experiences and skills in a wide range of contexts and for a wide range of purposes.
Improve students’ abilities to solve problems and make decisions within the context of their work, and to develop the ability to work together collaboratively.
Build confidence and creativity in every student.
Provide opportunities for students to gain nationally recognised qualifications at the best standard possible.
Foster a love of both performance art and dramatic literature, current and past, familiar and un-familiar, mainstream and avant-garde.
Provide a wide range of performing opportunities for those of all abilities in and out of curriculum time.
Support other curriculum areas and whole school priorities through our day to day conduct.
Champion the benefits of Drama as a learning medium and support colleagues in exploring Dramatic approaches to learning in their own lessons.

Curriculum

At Key Stage 3 students begin Year 7 by learning basic performance and group skills in an Introduction to Drama Unit. The remainder of Key Stage 3 works to build on students’ ability to explore a plot, build and perform a character, share knowledge of theatre styles and history, interpret a text and use both realistic and stylised dramatic conventions.

At Key Stage 4 students follow the OCR Drama GCSE course. This course has been selected for its broad range of study with emphasis on both performing published texts and devising new work.

Extra-Curricular

Having a thriving extra-curricular offer is an extremely important part of Drama at Fernwood. We believe that, while high production standards must be maintained, extra-curricular opportunities should be accessible to those of all ages and abilities and are not limited to performing.

Current extra-curricular offers are:

Bi-annual musical. Opportunities for actors, singers, dancers, technicians, backstage team, set artists, costume designers/creators, marketing, front of house etc.
Annual Variety Show
Annual Senior Citizen’s Party Entertainment
Bi-annual Shakespeare Schools Festival Performance
Annual Middleton literacy link performance
Open Drama Club
Entry into the Derby Arts Festival for Gifted and Talented performers
Theatre Trips