We want our students to become creatives who are passionate and enthusiastic but who feel that Drama is enjoyable AND challenging. They will have high expectations of the quality of their work and show that they understand the value of written evaluation and analysis as a way of developing their skills as a performer. We want our students to have a positive attitude towards the subject; an understanding that Drama is not just ‘fun’ but requires discipline. An understanding of the transferable skills that Drama provides, even for those who haven’t opted for the subject at KS4. These skills are for life – building relationships, a sense of place, effective communication and self-agency.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to cultivate a progressive development of skills, encouraging students to enhance their critical thinking and evolve into reflective, independent, and self-directed learners. Through a structured layering of techniques, we aim to support students not only in mastering the craft of drama but in fostering personal growth as confident, creative individuals.
At Key Stage 3 (KS3), students are introduced to foundational skills and techniques essential for understanding the principles of drama. In Year 7, we focus on voice projection, body language, and facial expression, helping students grasp the power of non-verbal communication. This is complemented by the analysis and performance of script work, such as Treasure Island. Year 8 introduces more complexity with lessons on regional and international accents, alongside opportunities for students to create original drama pieces inspired by a stimulus. By Year 9, students engage with more advanced concepts, including live theatre evaluation and exam-style questions, while also exploring the dynamic art of stage combat and further developing their own creative work.
Mastery of the subject emerges over time through the experience of each successive performance. Re-teach happens as an inherent and embedded part of the subject. For example, throughout the rehearsal process, students respond immediately to live feedback to reflect on and refine their performances before their final assessment. While a particular final performance will not be explicitly revisited, the skills used in that performance will be explicitly revisited in the following project.
At Key Stage 4 (KS4), we provide comprehensive support to ensure students excel in their GCSE examinations. Our lessons are meticulously structured to introduce exam-style questions, prepare them for practical assessments, and offer enriching experiences such as live theatre viewings and workshops with external professionals.
At Tewkesbury Academy, we are proud to offer exceptional facilities that enable our students to explore their creativity and fully engage with the subject of Drama. Our Expressive Arts block features two spacious, fully equipped studios, which serve as the primary teaching spaces. A key asset of our department is the Drama Hall, a versatile space outfitted with professional lighting. This hall is the venue for both GCSE and A-Level lessons, examinations and our very popular extra-curricular drama club.
At Tewkesbury Academy, we take immense pride in the exceptional professionalism and dedication shown by our students in every production. Our performances, which consistently sell out, feature talented students from all year groups, from Year 7 to Year 13. These productions have also been successfully shared with local primary schools, fostering a strong sense of community and engagement.
Behind the scenes, our productions are supported by a dedicated team of students who manage lighting, set design, and other technical aspects, working alongside our skilled technician. Looking ahead, we aim to further enhance the cross-curricular integration of costume and set design, fostering stronger collaboration across departments.
Our annual Whole School Productions include:
2024: Peter Pan
2025: Down the Rabbit Hole – The Musical
