Creative Arts - Drama

Curriculum Co-ordinator

Mrs K. Earle (Head of Creative Arts)

Teachers

Mr M Curtis

Learning Support Assistant

Ms R Mutch

Our Aims

The aims of the Drama department are to encourage and develop:

Creativity
Sensitivity
Confidence
An understanding of values
Understanding of cultural change
Physical and perceptual skills
Communication of ideas
Knowledge and understanding of Drama forms
Opportunities for leadership
Opportunities to work as part of a team
Drama as a learning tool
Appraisal skills of appreciation and evaluation
Understanding of Drama in a social and historical context
Opportunities to create performances
Appreciation of text in a working context
Lasting enjoyment of Drama

The Drama department also seeks to:

Encourage professional artists to perform for and work with students and staff
Offer extensive extra-curricular activities

Personal and Social Skills Developed by Drama

Speaking
Listening
Contributing
Responding
Organising
Being organised
Empathising
Putting across a point of view
Sensitivity to an issue
Selecting material
Research
Problem solving
Confidence
Planning
Working in a group
Meeting deadlines
Supporting
Developing language/ vocabulary
Appraising
Appreciation

Drama at Childwall continues to create unique opportunities for our students, As well as having the opportunity to take part in three productions hosted by the school, 'Have You Seen Rudolph', 'Chill Wall' and 'Liverpool - A Celebration in Drama, Dance and Music' some of our more talented pupils have had the chance to appear on the professional stage. In the Autumn term we had pupils taking part in 'Kes' at the Playhouse and one pupil appeared in 'Our Day Out' at the Royal Court and in July fifteen students performed a devised piece of drama at the Royal Court Theatre as part of the theatre's Access All Areas event. Through our contacts with the theatres in Liverpool and our attendance at the teachers' meetings we are sure there will be more opportunities for our students to enjoy in the future. In September 2010 there will be Drama Clubs for both KS3 and KS4 pupils to join, and it is here that they will find out about any in-house and external performing opportunities.

Issues Spiritual, Moral, Ethical, Social, Cultural and Other

Drama and Theatre Studies provides opportunities for pupils to explore and increase their understanding of a wide range of issues.

Through the study of plays, theatre practitioners and live productions seen, pupils are able to explore the human condition and evaluate their own existence and values in relation to society. Drama and theatre address a wide range of psychological and sociological human issues; most plays deal with issues of conflict or concern which faces individuals or groups, and as a consequence explores a wide range of human desires, motivation, interaction and behaviour, both for individuals and in relation to society.

The analysis and appreciation of the subject matter of plays and productions similarly encourages understanding of moral and ethical issues. The detailed study of any dramatic text brings insight into a range of moral and ethical issues; choosing how to present these for an audience encourages sympathetic treatment of the dilemmas facing dramatic characters as well as an understanding of the writer's perspective.

In practical lessons, the process of creating a group presentation promotes negotiation skills, and encourages recognition and sympathetic awareness of others' values and beliefs. By assuming roles within group work, pupils are required to accept individual responsibility for contributing to the effectiveness of the group. The process of devising original drama and theatre within a group context ensures that pupils debate many fundamental human questions and/or social issues during their search for suitable content. Subject matter that is frequently explored through the group work and presentation covers a wide breadth of moral and ethical issues addressed by pupils through their work.

The study of drama and theatre both historically, and in contemporary practice promotes an awareness of the factors which influence people. The fundamental link between ideas and emotions which drama and theatre often explore enables a rational interpretation of the values and patterns of humanity which form the basis of a society's cultural identity.