Drama is an important part of the Arts curriculum at Comberton.  Within carefully structured projects students work in role to learn about themselves, their culture and that of others within contexts appropriate to their age.

The topics of the Year 7 course include "Trust work", environmental projects including "Giant", "The Oregon Trail"  and a project on Native American Culture.  The  Year 8 course include stories relating to the theme of prejudice under the general heading of the outsiders, and a project about the issues arising from the draining of the Fens in the17th Century. In Year 9 the topics explore Civil Rights, Nature, Nurture and Homelessness         

The Skills
Specially equipped space, enables pupils to explore a variety of dramatic contexts by applying drama techniques (conventions).  Here are some of them:

Through the use of conventions Drama skills will be learnt and assessed in three main working areas:

Creating Drama Using Theatre Skills
Pupils will learn to:

• adopt a role using the appropriate language and movement

• think quickly and contribute spontaneously to the action

• solve the problems which the situation creates

• have a working knowledge of drama conventions

• concentrate and sustain the drama.

Working With Others
Pupils will learn to:

• work co-operatively in pairs, small groups and large groups

• listen to the contributions of others

• contribute their own ideas and be flexible enough to change them to suit the situation.

Reflection on the Experience
Pupils will learn to:

• recognise the good work which they have done and which they have seen other people

• do reflect on what they have done and say whether it worked or not, and why.

Assessment is by task as opposed to outcome.  Research, recording of practical work and evaluation tasks are assessed on a ten point scale within the working areas referred to above.

Homework will take the form of researching information for  particular topics, writing in role and evaluating the effective use of Drama techniques.

GCSE

• Knowledge and understanding of drama genres, styles and conventions and their ability to select, interpret and employ them in a range of scripts studied and their own work.
• Knowledge and understanding of the elements of dramatic planning, and an ability to use them in the range of scripts studied in their own work.
• Knowledge and understanding of how the language, signs and symbols of the theatre are used to communicate dramatic meaning and atmosphere in the range of scripts studied and in their own work.
• Ability to reflect on and analyse their own and others? work, taking action where appropriate to improve it.

The 4 Assessment Objectives cover 7 areas of study 

• Area of Study                                    

• Character and content

• Structure and shaping the plot

• Audience

• Defining performance

• Improvisation

• Genre, style and convention

• The semiotics of Drama and Theatre

The 7 areas of study will involve 4 approaches

• Deviser: The creation of script or drama by the students or playwright

• Designer: All aspects of design considered together

• Director: The process of guiding and achieving performance/presentation in drama

• Performer: The act of communication through role, character or symbol.

The work is split into 2 components

Homework will be supportive of the practical lessons and will involve evidence, research and written evaluation of the course work.