Introduction to Department:

The Drama curriculum is designed to develop students’ confidence, creativity and critical understanding through exposure to a broad range of global performance traditions. Students are introduced to the key conventions of theatre from Ancient Greece, Renaissance England and early modern Europe, as well as selected world theatre forms including Kabuki, Noh and Commedia dell’Arte. Knowledge of theatrical style is embedded alongside core performance skills to ensure that students acquire a secure foundation for progression to GCSE Drama. 

The curriculum seeks to equip students with the ability to interpret text, devise original performance material and evaluate the work of themselves and others. Through regular practical exploration, students learn to communicate meaning using vocal and physical skills, respond to artistic stimuli and apply practitioner techniques with increasing clarity. Students encounter diverse cultural and historical perspectives to develop an informed awareness of global theatre traditions. 

Enrichment opportunities, including workshops, theatre visits and cocurricular performance events, are provided to strengthen cultural capital and promote engagement with live theatre. The curriculum aims to foster a sense of responsibility, collaboration and discipline, enabling students to contribute effectively within the school community and beyond. 

The overarching concepts for Drama at Bishop Wordsworth’s School are: 

• Development of vocal and physical performance skills 
• Exploration of global theatre practices and their cultural contexts 
• Application of texttostage interpretation 
• Devising and developing original performance material 
• Reflective practice through analysis and evaluation 

Results & Achievements:

 

Extra- and super-curricular:   

 

Recommended reading list:

Greek Theatre 

• The Oresteia — Aeschylus  
• Prometheus Bound  

Commedia dell’Arte 

• A Servant of Two Masters — Carlo Goldoni 

Japanese Theatre 

• Kyogen: Comic Interludes of Japan 
• Tales from Old Japan — Mitford 

Berkoff & Stylised Performance 

• The Trial (adapted) — Steven Berkoff 
• Metamorphosis (adapted) — Steven Berkoff 

Physical Theatre / Ensemble 

• 100 — The Imaginary Body 
• The Arrival (staged adaptations) — Shaun Tan 

KS3 Shakespeare 

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream — William Shakespeare 
• Romeo and Juliet — William Shakespeare 
• Much Ado About Nothing — William Shakespeare 
• The Merchant of Venice — William Shakespeare 
• Macbeth — William Shakespeare 

Narrative Foundations / Story Structure 

• The Graveyard Book — Neil Gaiman 
• His Dark Materials (Trilogy) — Philip Pullman 

Theatrical Skills / Cultural Knowledge 

• Theatre: A Visual History — Clare Flynn 
• The Young Actor’s Handbook — Jeremy Kruse 

GCSE Setwork 

• Death of a Salesman – Arthur Miller 
• DNA — Dennis Kelly 
• An Inspector Calls — J. B. Priestley 
• The Crucible — Arthur Miller 

Additional Modern Drama texts suitable for GCSE 

• Blood Brothers — Willy Russell 
• Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime (play) — Simon Stephens 

GCSE Theatre Production 

• The Empty Space — Peter Brook (concepts of drama)  
• A Director Prepares — Anne Bogart (staging concepts)  
• Impro — Keith Johnstone (improvisation) 

 

Helpful websites and online resources 

National Theatre 

The National Theatre provides accessible learning guides, rehearsal insights, practitioner information, and theatre‑making explanations.  

This includes: 

• Shakespeare guides 
• Live theatre analysis support 
• Behindthescenes videos 
• Set, costume, and directing insights 

 

Oak National Academy 

Although originally created for remote learning, these are student-facing lessons covering performance skills, Shakespeare, devising, voice, physicality, and live theatre response. Oak Academy resources. 

Learning by Key Stage:

KS3 

By the end of Key Stage 3, students will be able to apply a range of performance skills with confidence, demonstrate secure knowledge of global theatre traditions, and interpret text for performance at a foundational level. They will be able to articulate creative intentions and evaluate performance work using appropriate terminology. 

Drama is taught as a timetabled subject across Years 7–9 by a specialist Drama teacher. Students follow a structured programme of study that introduces major theatrical traditions, key terminology, and essential performance skills. The curriculum is sequenced to build cultural knowledge, confidence and technical control. 

Year 7 

• Ancient Greek Theatre (focus on the Chorus) 
• Mime and Visual Storytelling 
• Shakespeare Page-to-Stage: A Midsummer Night’s Dream 

Year 8 

• Kabuki or Noh Theatre 
• Physical Theatre 
• Shakespeare Page-to-Stage: Romeo and Juliet 

Year 9 

• Commedia dell’Arte (The Servant of Two Masters) 
• Devising Theatre (linking to GCSE Drama Component 1) 
• Shakespeare Page-to-Stage: Macbeth 

 

KS4 

By the end of Key Stage 4, students following OCR GCSE Drama will be able to create and develop ideas for devised performance, apply technical and performance skills to communicate meaning, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded theatre. They will demonstrate coherent understanding of theatrical style, context and processes in line with OCR assessment criteria. 

Drama students will leave with enhanced communication skills, resilience, collaborative discipline and an informed appreciation of theatrical practice. These attributes will support their wider academic progression and contribute to their development as confident and reflective young people. 

The qualification comprises three components: Devising Drama, Presenting and Performing Texts and Drama: Performance and Response.  

• Component 01/02: Devising Drama (internal – 30%) — Original work is created from stimulus; evidence includes a performance and a portfolio of process and evaluation. 
• Component 03: Presenting and Performing Texts (external visiting examiner – 30%) — Two extracts from a centrechosen play are rehearsed and performed; a concept pro forma is submitted to the examiner in advance.  
• Component 04: Drama — Performance and Response (Written exam – 40%) — Section A focuses on a practically explored set text; Section B is an analysis and evaluation of live theatre.  

Centre Text 
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is studied as the principal performance text and for analytical preparation aligned to Component 03 requirements. 

Staff

Coordinator and Teacher of Drama:  Marcel Corson mxc@bishopwordsworths.org.uk