Overview
At the heart of the Mercia School drama department is a commitment to developing confident, creative and compassionate young people. We believe drama plays a vital role in helping pupils find their voice, build self-belief and understand the world around them.
Our ambition is to provide a high-quality, inclusive and inspiring drama education where all pupils feel safe to take creative risks, express ideas and challenge themselves.
Through practical and engaging lessons, pupils explore stories, characters and real-world issues while developing both their artistic talent and essential life skills.
Through performance, discussion and practical work, they learn to speak clearly, use body language effectively and present themselves with confidence, skills that are essential for presentations, exams, interviews and future careers.
Drama develops a wide range of transferable skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, resilience and empathy. These qualities support success across the curriculum and help pupils grow into confident, articulate and well-rounded young people.
Year 9
Term 1: The Building Blocks of Theatre.
Term 2: Exploration of John Godber.
Term 3: The Exploration of Stanislavski’s Naturalistic Theatre alongside Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’.
Term 4: The Exploration of Frantic Assembly alongside Dennis Kelly’s ‘DNA’.
Term 5: The Exploration of Bertolt Brecht alongside Arthur Miller’s ‘A View from the Bridge’.
Term 6: The Exploration of ‘Blood Brothers’ by Willy Russel.
Year 10
Component Two: Devising Drama
Students embarking on their GCSE qualification will begin by revisiting the seminal works of Stanislavski, Artaud, Brecht, and Frantic Assembly, thereby adding depth to their understanding of how distinct theatrical styles are conceived and how they differ in form, technique, and intent. Building upon this foundation, students will apply their knowledge to the creation of an original theatrical piece, drawing inspiration from a diverse array of examination stimuli.
Component Two constitutes 40% of the overall GCSE assessment and is evaluated through both the student’s live performance and their accompanying coursework. The coursework requires a comprehensive account of the student’s dramatic objectives, the processes undertaken in the development of their performance, and a reflective appraisal of its effectiveness.
Year 11
Component Three: Texts in Practice
Component Three is a practical assessment in which students are evaluated on their ability to apply a range of theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in a live performance context. Students engage with a diverse selection of scripts, selecting two extracts to perform in front of an audience. This component accounts for 20% of the overall GCSE grade and is assessed by an external examiner.
Component One: Understanding Drama
Component one constitutes the written examination element of the GCSE course. In this assessment, students are required to respond to questions relating to two distinct performances: a prescribed set text, Blood Brothers by Willy Russell, and a live theatre production. Students will engage in a detailed and critical study of all dimensions of these performances, including physical, visual, and auditory semiotics, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of how meaning is constructed and conveyed in theatrical practice. Component one constitutes 40% of the GCSE and is completed at the end of Y11.
Exam board
AQA