Drama
The Drama curriculum at Harris Academy Greenwich is exciting, inclusive, and creative. It encourages students to appreciate the arts while developing confidence, communication, and teamwork. Students explore three key areas throughout their learning: creating, performing, and responding. Through practical and theoretical study, they examine characters, themes, emotions, and social issues, helping them analyse, evaluate, and express ideas with clear reasoning.
Drama supports students in becoming creative, confident, and emotionally aware individuals. They learn about the history and impact of theatre as a powerful form of reflection and change. The subject also develops speaking, listening, collaboration, and leadership skills, preparing students for further education, performance careers, and any role involving communication or public speaking.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 introduces fundamental drama skills. Students explore atmosphere, setting, and character through storytelling, narration, and practical work based on texts such as The Tempest and The Woman in Black. They gradually build physical and vocal performance techniques while learning basic theatre theory and production roles. Clear speech and confident expression are strongly developed through structured discussion.
Year 8 builds on these skills with more complex performance styles and themes. Students explore melodrama, mask and chorus work, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They study the play The Stones, which explores real-life issues affecting young people. Students deepen their ability to debate, justify ideas, and analyse performances using appropriate drama terminology and production knowledge.
Year 9 expands creativity through devising, script work, and the study of drama practitioners. Students explore real-world events such as 9/11, perform extracts from Bouncers and Lord of the Flies, and study Blue Remembered Hills both practically and theoretically. They learn rehearsal techniques, character development, and design concepts while strengthening written and spoken evaluation skills.
By the end of Year 9, students can confidently create, perform, and respond to drama, showing empathy, self-awareness, and strong communication.
Key Stage 4
Year 10 begins GCSE Drama. Students study influential theatre practitioners such as Stanislavski, Brecht, and Artaud, applying their techniques in performance. They complete a devised performance and a written portfolio evaluating their creative process.
Year 11 focuses on the set text An Inspector Calls, preparing students for the written exam through practical exploration and exam technique. Students also rehearse and perform a scripted piece for a visiting examiner and learn to review live theatre by analysing acting and production choices.
Overall, Drama develops confident, thoughtful, and articulate young people who can communicate effectively, understand others, and engage creatively with the world around them.