The organisation of teaching Drama at New Charter Academy:

Drama at New Charter Academy is taught as a subject in its own right at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.  Drama is taught in two main areas in the school; The Arts Theatre, Silver Springs Campus and B1 Greehurst Campus .  Departmental staff consists of a Head of Department and two other teacher. Staffs teach at all GHC Key Stage levels.

Schemes of work at KS3 follow a framework of objectives contained in ‘Drama Objectives Bank’ (Dept. of Education and Skills) and the guidelines given in ‘Drama In Schools’ (Arts Council). All lessons take into account the recommended modes of drama activity – creating, performing and responding. A theme is studied every term to encompass all considerations.  Students in KS3 receive one Drama lessons per fortnight.

At Key Stage 4 (Yr10 &11) students opt for the Edexcel BTEC in performing Arts course. The BTEC first diploma is equivalent to 4 GCSE's and students spend 10 hours a fortnight studying the subject. The BTEC certificate is equivalent to two GCSE, students spen 5 hours a fortnight studying the subject.

This is a vocational diploma course compromises of two core units (Performing Arts Production Process and Performing Arts Business) and 3 specialist units which they cover aspects of knowledge, understanding and competency necessary for employemnt within the performing arts field. The certificate is the same but compromises of one core unit (Acting) plus 2 specialist units.

Further information can be found at

http://www.edexcel.org.uk

In 2005 the Department decided to change the syllabus and GCSE Drama is no longer an option for Year 10 students.  The qualification has been superseded by:  BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts: Acting.   Students have eleven (11) lessons per fortnight.

Further information on this qualification can be found at:

http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/82783/BTEC_FD_Perf_Arts_final.rtf

The department also seeks to:

·        Encourage professional artists to perform for and work with students and staff.

·        Offer extensive extra-curricular activities. (For further details please see the school intranet and VLE).

·         The department co-operates on cross-curricular activities.

·        The school is forging strong links with the local theatres, arts type businesses and also hosts visiting theatre groups.

·        Encourages other departments/subjects to use Drama strategies and Active Learning Activities, within their lessons