Drama

Teachers of 

Head of Department Dance and Drama = Samantha Hastings 

Curriculum Intent 

The study of Drama aims to produce high level performers who are skilled in all forms of communication, both verbal and non verbal through their introduction in year 7 through their study of and mastery of these skills over their  time at Harrogate High. 

They will be exposed to and study various styles of theatre starting with Pantomime in Year 7, Theatre in Education in Year 8 and Naturalism and Melodrama in Year 9. These styles will be explored through creative exercises and study of texts. They will cement their knowledge of these styles during Year 10 and 11 and experience other styles of performance through theatre trips. They will have knowledge of these styles  key features and how they fit into the development of Drama over time. 

They will exercise their imagination and creativity through devising tasks that start as short exercises in Year 7 and develop over the years to full, coherent stories that showcase their knowledge of different styles of theatre and also their effective communication skills. 

As they will be exposed to and study stories and plays with different themes they will understand how to empathise with others and learn how to understand other peoples thoughts and feelings. This is also developed through working closely in teams. 

Links to CARES values 

Courage 

• Drama encourages students to step out of their comfort zones by performing in front of others, experimenting with different characters, and exploring challenging themes. 

Aspiration 

• Drama nurtures ambition and the desire to improve through continuous practice, rehearsals, and striving for excellence in performance. 

Respect 

• Respect is crucial for creating a supportive rehearsal environment where everyone feels valued and heard. 

Equality 

• It challenges stereotypes and social prejudices by exploring diverse characters and stories from multiple cultures and backgrounds. 

Self-Control 

• Drama requires discipline and focus during rehearsals and performances, helping students manage nerves, emotions, and impulses. 

Links to British Values 

Group work and decision-making in drama encourages democratic participation. Students vote on ideas, negotiate roles, and collaborate on creative choices. Students learn the importance of rules in both performance (e.g., rehearsal etiquette) and society, reinforcing respect for laws. Drama provides a safe space for self-expression, allowing students to explore identity, beliefs, and emotions. Drama requires active listening, empathy, and teamwork. Students must respect each other’s ideas and contributions.Through studying plays and devising work around cultural, religious, and social issues, students gain insight into different worldviews. 

Links to Careers 

Careers directly related to drama are: 

• Actor (stage, screen, voiceover) 

• Voice Artist (animation, audiobooks, games) 

• Stunt Performer 

• Musical Theatre Performer 

• Street Performer / Entertainer 

Enhanced Provision 

Every student in the school has the opportunity to take part in at least two school productions each year. One Large scale Musical Theatre production and one Drama performance. No experience is necessary to be involved. Rehearsals take place after school. 

Previous School Productions include –Frozen, Beauty and The Beast, Oliver!, We Will Rock You, Hamlet, The Tempest, SIX and many of our own variety performances. 

Learning Journey 

Link to document 

Ks3 Curriculum overview 

Link to Document - Drama

Ks4  

Curriculum  

overview 

Link to document - Drama