CURRICULUM
Drama enables students to develop key skills, such as confidence, communication, problem-solving and team-work, that are highly desirable to employers, colleges and universities.
The skills developed are applicable to a wide range of employment and education sectors, not just the creative industries.
Our links with Birmingham Hippodrome Education Network allow us to offer incredible performance opportunities, both within the UTC and the local community, as well as regular contact with professionals currently working within the Creative Arts industries.
Curriculum Overview
KS3 students are on rotation with music and design technology. Students will spend a term each year exploring the creative arts. Our key stage three curriculum explores live theatre, devising, scripted and exploration of theatre practitioners. These schemes of work are designed to provide the skills necessary to progress their studies at KS4 whilst also supporting Cross curricular opportunities.
Year 7 | Child who didn’t want to go to school | Aladdin |
Year 8 | Christopher craig | Waterloo Road |
Year 9 | Public Speaking | Peter Pan: Live Theatre review |
KS4 Course
At KS4 will be delivering Eduqas Level 2 Technical Award in Performing Arts. The qualification is made up of 3 units:
Unit 1: Performing
Students will learn the skills and techniques needed to produce a successful performance of an existing play. Assessment will be based on the performance of a scene from their chosen play script, an introduction to the scene and an evaluation of their performance.
Unit 2: Creating
Students will learn how to create a refine their own original performance work. Assessment will be based on the development of a 3–10 minute devised performance, including written explanation of their contribution to the process and an evaluation of the performance.
Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice
Students will be taught how to respond to a commission, learning about the pitching process as well as developing a show piece for performance. Assessment will be based on a live pitch to a panel, including a short performance and presentation of ideas.
Where can the subject lead to?
Studying Drama can lead directly to a career within the Performing Arts industry, in one of thousands of roles, not just that of an actor. The Creative Arts industry currently the fastest growing industry in the UK, accounting for 1 in 11 jobs.
Studying Drama can also lead to Level 3 Performing Arts courses.
Crucially, studying Drama can support a student’s progression into any career or Level 3 course due to the desirable skill set that students develop as part of their studies. These include, but are not limited to, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, communication skills, presentation skills, resilience, leadership, and self-management.
How will I be assessed?
The course is 100% coursework based, with evidence being presented through a mixture of written coursework and video evidence of performances and presentations. The first two units are assessed by teaching staff and the final unit is carried out under controlled assessment conditions and is sent to the exam board for assessment.
What skills are required?
Students who choose to study Drama must have a passion for the subject, enjoy a practical approach to their learning and be able to work with others. Students will need to perform to a live audience on several occasions throughout the course, so must enjoy performing.
Additional information
Shireland Biomedical UTC has a partnership with Hippodrome Education Network. This partnership enables us to offer professional experiences to the students, with performance opportunities and regular contact with professional performing artists. There are several opportunities to watch live professional performances at the theatre, as well as behind the scenes tours of both theatres and television studios.