During the First, Second and Third Forms we teach Drama as a discrete subject; all pupils receive one lesson a week.

We aim to teach pupils the skills and techniques necessary to create engaging and thought-provoking theatre and characters. Our objective is to educate them in how to develop their voice and movement skills alongside developing effective rehearsal techniques.

Our overall wish is to develop pupil’s acting and directing skills whilst progressing their confidence, communication skills and ability to work as a team and lead. We do this through a range of Schemes of Work which encourage pupils to engage with the world around them: this means we cover topics that are historical, political and social. In addition to this we examine different genres and styles of theatre to broaden pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

In the Third Form we progress to schemes which are directly linked to the GCSE course. They are designed to prepare pupils for the rigours of the GCSE, including introducing an extended devised project. In addition to this we aim to develop the more advanced skills of creating and working to a concept, time management, leading rehearsals and directing.

Fourth and Fifth Forms – GCSE optional subject

• Pearson Edexcel GCSE Drama
• Assessed via one coursework component – devised group practical exam (performer or designer option) and written coursework (40%); one scripted performance exam (20%); one written exam (40%).

In GCSE Drama you will learn how to devise your own original theatre for an audience, working together and exploring a range of styles and genres including physical theatre and theatre in education. You will perform scripted pieces chosen especially for you by your teachers, and will study exciting plays and live performances, going on theatre trips both locally and to London.

We arrange for workshops from professional theatre practitioners to help you with devising, and you will work as designers as well as performers when considering how to use lighting, sound, costume and set to bring plays to life. You will develop your reflective and analytical skills when talking and writing about your own performance work as well as live theatre you have seen. You will develop your creativity and communication skills in your practical work and writing, and build your skills in problem-solving, planning and organising as you work independently and as a group after teacher-led work. You will also develop your own performance skills including voice, movement, characterisation and interpretation of script.

We have a well-equipped theatre space with lighting and sound boards, where you can create as a performer or designer, and many clubs and productions to participate in.

Sixth Form – A level optional subject

• Edexcel Drama & Theatre Studies 

If you are genuinely interested in theatre as an art form, keen to explore the working relationships between performers, directors and designers, and have a desire to create and perform, this is the course for you.

By exploring the ways that theatre reflects the world around us, you’ll develop a theoretical understanding of different genres, styles, time periods and practitioners and then use this in the creation of your own practical work. We’ll encourage you to create challenging, stimulating drama, which is often emotional, visceral and thought-provoking. We’ll expand your horizons via an exciting programme of theatre trips and professional workshops that will influence your devised work and we’ll encourage you to think creatively, analytically and evaluatively.

Our aim is that you become an imaginative, independent and critically aware young person. The strong focus on research, plus the rehearsals for exam pieces, will develop your skills in organisation, commitment and time management: all essential for university study. Through directing and mentoring our younger pupils’ clubs and productions, you’ll practise leadership and develop creative skills – and there are plenty of opportunities to ‘tread the boards’ yourself during the school year.

Beyond the classroom: We stage a whole school production each year; recently we have performed Sweeney Todd,  The Tempest and Les Miserablés. You will enjoy regular theatre trips to expand your understanding of the possibilities of live performance. Recently we have been lucky enough to see The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Woman in Black, and Ubu.  Visiting practitioners are brought in to run workshops with our students.

• View our Sixth Form Prospectus

Extra-Curricular Activities

• We offer LAMDA classes to the younger year groups, provided by professional LAMDA tutors. This allows students to work towards gaining qualifications in Acting, Devising, Speaking Verse and Prose.
• In the First to Third Forms each year group is given the opportunity to attend a drama club for their age, where we seek to continue to develop the pupils’ knowledge of drama and its possibilities.  During these drama clubs we work on material that can be performed. Pupils in the Third Form and above often help lead the clubs to further their knowledge and understanding of theatre.
• We stage a whole school production each year; recently we have performed Sweeney Todd, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Into the Woods, The Tempest and Les Miserablés. We also stage junior productions and they have included Our Day Out, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz.  These opportunities allow pupils of all ages to combine skills of dance, music and drama creating a finished product which they can be very proud of.

Regular Trips and Visitors 

• First to Third Form pupils are exposed to live theatre through regular trips to London and Cambridge theatres.
• We recently undertook our first residential theatre trip to Lake Garda in Italy, where 3rd-5th Form students participated in a range of workshops including stage fighting, Commedia dell'Arte and Screen Performance.
• GCSE and Sixth Form Drama and Theatre students make regular trips to see various forms of theatre: two or more in most terms. These are part of the course and help to expand the students’ understanding of the possibilities of live theatre. Recently we have been lucky enough to see The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Woman in Black, and Ubu by Splendid Productions.  Visiting practitioners are brought in to run workshops with the group.