‘Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it’
– Bertolt Brecht
The Laurus Drama Vision is for all students, regardless of background or circumstance, to be inspired to be makers and appreciators of culture, to be empowered to have a voice in the world today, to recognise what it takes to succeed creatively, and to acquire the knowledge and qualities that not only open the door to future success but allow our students to walk through it.
Powerful Knowledge in Drama
There is more to drama than being able to perform on stage. Opportunities are embedded for students to develop and refine performance talent but equally important is the ability to understand the purpose of the theatre we create and be able to analyse and evaluate the work of others.
Methodologies of theatrical practitioners are introduced throughout the key stages to enable students not only to ‘re-enact’ but to shape and express their own unique, creative ideas with a greater understanding of the need for style, audience intention and appreciation of a broad range of cultural perspectives. Embedded within this exploration of theatrical and cultural knowledge is the opportunity to build personal qualities which can be relied on to succeed, not only in drama lessons but beyond school life and in future employment. At the heart of drama is the development of these qualities in all our students; communication and oracy, creative imagination, emotional literacy, clarity of expression, autonomy, leadership confidence and collaboration.
Curriculum Features
The composites of the drama curriculum are selected to provide students with the opportunity to create, perform and evaluate a broad range of theatrical styles, texts and conventions. Lessons are designed to encourage students to be theatre makers, with theoretical knowledge being embedded through practical exploration and development of dramatic components.
The curriculum structure is both horizontal and hierarchical; whilst each composite introduces new key conventions and knowledge through different cultural topics, practitioner influences and texts, retrieval opportunities throughout the key stages are designed to build complexity and depth of knowledge, enabling progression in our students’ understanding and appreciation of theatre.
Co-curricular Enrichment
Co-curricular opportunities in Drama are created to allow students to develop and build on expertise learnt in lessons. Clubs and activities are varied to allow all students to participate in an area of interest. Alongside weekly Drama Clubs are opportunities for students to audition to be part of groups with more challenging expectations. The Spotlights and Limelights Academies are for those students who present talent in Drama and wish to develop ability across the performing arts, with an interest in learning about the professional industry.
Students are also able to audition for the annual School Production, where the expectation is that all cast members develop performance talent and professionalism. These clubs/events are not only to encourage enjoyment in the arts but also for students to learn about professional expectations and performance discipline. Students are also able to apply to become a Drama Ambassador, taking on a leadership role within the department and developing their own knowledge by planning and delivering Drama Club sessions.