Brief overview of the subject:Drama is above all a creative activity; the turning of text or idea into performance using a whole range of skills, techniques and media.This creativity may be explored through lessons focusing on improvisation and physical theatre or it may be in lessons working on the writing and reading of scripted texts. Drama is also about working with others: sharing ideas, workloads and responsibility, learning about ourselves and about other people. It is about exploring ideas and emotions, about investigating important issues and finding out what makes us laugh and cry, and it is about communication. In addition to the social skills there are many practical skills worked on in Drama lessons: speaking in public, performance, presentation and memorising for example. Drama at St Margaret’s: Drama is taught to all girls in years 4 – 6 for one single period a week and at Key Stage Three for one double period a week.GCSE Drama (Edexcel Syllabus) is also offered in years ten and eleven for which there are two double periods a week. GCSE Drama is examined in year eleven with workshops which are recorded on DVD (teacher assessed 60% of GCSE grade) and with a performance that is assessed by an external examiner (40% of GCSE grade). At St Margaret’s Drama is seen as an important discipline for girls to learn to express themselves physically and vocally in the safety of the Drama lesson. We also believe it is important for girls to learn to appreciate and positively criticise others and themselves in their efforts. It should not be seen as an easy option for GCSE as the skills demanded are wide ranging and challenging. That said, any St Margaret’s girl who has a keen interest and willingness to contribute should find it stimulating and rewarding. HomeworkIn years 7, 8 and 9 girls are issued with a ‘Drama Notebook’ at the beginning of the year. They should bring this book to each lesson to take any notes and it should be used to write up all homework. Homework can take several forms, for example: writing up what has been learnt in the lesson, writing character studies, reading scripts or memorising lines for performance. Written work will be collected in and commented on by the teacher on a regular basis. Girls should keep their books neat but are welcome to decorate their books with Drama related pictures. Progress will be assessed through the Drama Notebook and through marks for group work (effort and achievement) which will be written up by the teacher in the pupils’ report at the end of the year. In the GCSE years girls will keep a folder of work done during the course. This will include various written and pictorial pieces, for example: responses to stimulus material, written ideas and scripts, a diary of working on a project and reviews of theatre seen. Girls should be sure to keep this folder up to date as the pieces will be marked regularly and several must be submitted as a portfolio for part of the GCSE examination at the end of year eleven. What can parents do to help support their daughter’s learning in this subject?Parents can help their daughters learning in Drama in many ways. When girls are working on pieces for performance it may be helpful for them to discuss with parents what they are trying to achieve. These discussions with a person who is not in the Drama group may help put issues into perspective or help them clarify their ideas. Of course an excellent way for parents to get involved is by taking their daughters to the theatre! The more theatre (of all types, be in musical or straight plays) that pupils see the better they will be able to appreciate Drama and create their own work and ideas in the lessons. There are theatres nearby, for example The Hampstead Theatre and The Tricycle Theatre. If in doubt the box office of the theatre will be able to guide you if the current play is suitable for the age of your daughter. The two drama teachers are also happy to discuss with parents suitable plays:
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Main textbooks used and other resources.In years seven, eight and nine various scripts and other stimulus material are used from physical props to newspaper articles. These will be provided both by students and the teacher.For the GCSE course we use the Edexcel course book ‘GCSE Drama for Edexcel’ (Hodder & Stoughton) by Ken Taylor & Joss Leader. This book is issued to all girls taking GCSE Drama at the beginning of the course.Who will be teaching your daughter?Drama is taught from year 4 to year 9 by Anna Connolly who is new to St Margaret’s in September 2009. Anna has a degree in English and an MA in Text & Performance from King’s College/RADA and is also an actress. Drama is taught at GCSE by Lucy Barber who joined St Margaret’s in September 2008, coming from St Paul’s School. She has recently completed her MA in Text & Performance at Kings College/RADA She also teaches ‘A’ level Drama at another school. There is a strong culture of theatre visits at St Margaret’s and teachers often arrange visits for their classes during the academic year as we are fortunate in having several good theatres nearby and the west end within easy reach. For GCSE there will be at least one compulsory theatre trip for the class each term. LEBSept 2009
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