The Drama Department at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn seeks to nurture pupils’ creativity, personal growth, self-confidence, communication and analytical skills through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding and the exercise of the imagination. Drama is about learning courage, self-discipline and teamwork. Whatever career pupils chose, Drama is about acquiring the self-confidence and tools to engage productively with others. Our goal is to ensure pupils have confidence in what they have to offer the world and the skills to do it alongside others.
At both GCSE and A Level, Drama at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn is an exciting, inspiring and practical course.
Aims and Learning Outcomes:
- Actively engage in the process of dramatic study in order to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
- Work imaginatively and creatively in collaborative contexts, generating, developing and communicating ideas.
- Reflect on and evaluate their own work and the work of others.
- Develop and demonstrate competence in a range of practical, creative and performance skills.
- Develop a basis for their future role as active citizens in employment and society in general as well as for the possible further study of drama.
- Consider and explore the impact of social, historical and cultural influences on drama texts and activities.
The linear specification contains three units which include: devising and evaluating a whole piece of theatre; creating a performance from a published text; and a final written examination which tests their analytical skills as an actor, director and designer.
ALEVEL – DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES
In both years, we study two units which develop a practical and theoretical understanding of Drama and Theatre Studies at an advanced level. Pupils work in small groups to devise theatre in both years, as well as studying and creating pieces from published playwrights. We also study four set texts across the two year period in preparation for the written examinations. This study not only deals with the work of the playwright, but also the social and cultural contexts of the work.
Pupils are encouraged to attend as many theatre productions as possible to increase their understanding of drama and theatre as well as ignite their imaginations for practical performances. Pupils who study Drama at GCSE and A Level are expected to attend some performances for written examination requirements.
There is a school production every year where pupils can audition and thrive on stage in front of an eager audience. The Drama and Music Departments work very closely to showcase the amazing performing abilities of the pupils. Recently, we have staged How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (2014) and Bye Bye Birdie (2015).
A Drama club open to all pupils takes place during lunchtimes and is run by the teacher and pupils. We experiment with a variety of techniques to build confidence and develop skills and understanding. We also provide opportunities for pupils to learn from those currently working within the theatre industry through in-school theatre workshops. These have proved extremely popular, not only for the pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, but also for the providers who were impressed with the quality of the work created.
Drama is one of the few opportunities students have to work collaboratively and to develop their skills of leadership and negotiation. It is also imperative in today’s competitive world that students have the confidence and skills to present themselves and their ideas to a wider audience. Drama is able to help provide that confidence and those skills.