DRAMA & PERFORMING ARTS
amended July 2005

1. AIMS

to encourage the use of drama as a tool of learning within all subject disciplines;

to develop the creative talents of pupils within the sphere of drama and performing arts;

to use performance to inculcate team spirit and collective responsibility amongst pupils and staff;

to achieve high standards of performance and excellence in examination results.

2. PREAMBLE

At present drama lessons are timetabled for all key stage three pupils and for those pupils who have opted at Year 10 for the GCSE course in drama and theatre arts.

The Year 10 option leads to GCSE qualification in drama and theatre arts; at Sixth Form level, students can opt for the AS/A2 course in theatre studies.

The school currently runs a large range of theatre trips, and the GCSE drama groups regularly present performance standard work to audiences.


3. OBLIGATIONS REQUIRED BY POLICY

i The head of performing arts should

monitor the drama units of learning at KS3;

monitor and encourage drama as a contributor to the learning process in all subjects, and take responsibility for the appropriate development of drama across the curriculum;

take responsibility for the Year 10 GCSE drama option, promoting the subject & encouraging recruitment);

present a production with the GCSE drama groups, on an annual basis, to form part of their course where possible;

guide other drama teachers within the school, providing or organising INSET where appropriate;

work with music teachers and the teacher in charge of music especially to provide a team approach to the performing arts at all key stages;

bring in outside expertise where appropriate, to supplement drama teaching at all levels, but particularly at GCSE;

invite as appropriate, on a regular basis, theatre groups to perform within the school;

organise, and encourage the organisation by others, of regular, frequent trips to theatre performances which match the interests and work of pupils;

convene and chair a committee to produce a whole school play (or similar) every other year, and a play involving key stage 3 pupils every other year, alternately;

run a drama club within the school;

maintain the fabric of the drama theatre, ensuring, for example, that lanterns and electrical fittings are functional and safe, and that the area is tidy and always ready to be used for performance.

iii the school's leadership team should

be represented on the committees running school productions;

support the work of the head of performing arts;

fix on the school calendar dates for productions as advised by the head of performing arts.

v All heads of department should

contribute positively to cross-curricular initiatives regarding drama as a means of teaching;

work positively at any INSET provided to increase the use and effectiveness of drama techniques within the classroom.

teachers of music and dance should

join the committees to run the annual school/ KS3 productions, as appropriate, contributing time and expertise as reasonably expected.

vi All staff should

consider the use of drama within their subject discipline.

vii Teachers should

consider what rôle they can undertake in the organisation of school plays.

4. The execution of this policy shall be monitored by the the school's leadership team.