VLE
Drama is an integral part of life, and from Year 6 is taught by specialist Drama teachers who extend the boundaries of experience and knowledge, always through exploration and practical application.
From Year 10, Drama becomes an elective subject with students following Edexcel Drama courses at GCSE, AS and A Levels. Throughout, the students are exposed to challenges which are explored using a wide range of techniques and exploratory tactics. Performance, individual or group, forms an integral part of what is done.
While Drama offers the opportunity to stand in somebody else's shoes for a while and escape reality, it may also expose one to the full force of reality. It gives scope for experimentation and exploration. It gives a true social element to the educational process. The confidence, self-awareness and enhanced communication skills that are an inescapable product of Drama may become the difference between a good university, or not, and a good career, or not – and most importantly, a well rounded young adult with more to offer the community.
All Middle Department students are given the opportunity to perform in class assemblies, an integral part in the social development of the tutor group. Additionally there are two annual productions: the Middle Department Production and a School Production, which is a major undertaking open to any Year 6-13 student who is successful at audition.
The main aim of teaching drama at The British School of Kuwait is to bring a new form of communication to all students. We hope to promote self-confidence and improved communication skills through the practice and exploration of dramatic techniques such as improvisation, acting, mime, monologues and dialogues. One of the most important aspects of Drama will be to give the students an opportunity to perform on stage in a large-scale dramatic or musical event, should they choose to do so.
Drama has particularly strong links with the English programmes, the aims these links being to promote:
Students in the pre-GCSE years each receive one 65-minute lesson of Drama per week. Teaching is done in tutor groups and students have the opportunity to work alone and in small groups.
Drama employs a variety of means with which to learn about how we relate to one another. A typical lesson will consist of a theme or a situation. The object is to work through the problems that arise and solve them. However, the problems will always relate to people, so the students are encouraged to explore feelings, emotions and attitudes in a safe environment and integrate and socialise in a constructive way.
Teaching Methods
A variety of methods are used in Drama. The teacher in role, through his or her own performing, takes the students through a series of improvisations. This encourages the development of self-confidence and self-assurance. There is also improvisation, both spontaneous and polished. These are important in that they form the basis of performance in the lesson. The students have to think about a topic provided and then act out their responses in a series of performances to the others in the class.
The students may use their laptops to research background information. As an example, a student being introduced to Shakespeare would be able to research the social conditions prevalent during Elizabethan times.
Assessment
Assessment is an ongoing process and always carried out through outcome, based upon the student's ability to fulfil clear criteria. At times, whole group drama and individual performances are used to assess how the students have progressed throughout the year.
Homework
Homework is based on research connected with the topic being studied. Observation, preparation, script writing, rehearsal for presentation and creative processes are all included in continuation of lesson ideas outside subject time allocations.
In Years 10 and 11, students who have opted into GCSE Drama receive two 65 minute lessons per week. The course uses and develops social skills, and seeks to develop knowledge of theatrical procedure. Its broad purpose is to prepare students to look critically at events and recognise that they may have many interpretations.
An awareness of the world around you, confidence, strength of character, and good communication skills are essential in today's world. Drama endeavours to develop these areas through a comprehensive scheme of strategies. Students will work in groups, develop performance skills and learn about the many ways to communicate effectively. Drama adds excitement to school life as well as being an excellent grounding in English language skills. Students will leave this course with a heightened ability to work in groups and communicate with others in many situations.
Content Overview
The work will cover a range of themes and perspectives. These will be mainly centred on students' perceptions of the world. Points of interest that arise through the media, or are suggested by students, will be studied from a drama perspective. Students will learn about the process of drama and theatre through their own work and that of others. Students will work on ideas from drama directors and theorists.
The aim of teaching this subject is to develop confidence, using students' existing English skills and the wide range of communication skills that will be needed for the future. The main teaching methods are improvisation, teacher in role, individual and group work, study of plays and the study of methods of acting. Technical skills are also taught through the use of lighting and sound facilities.