Drama Department
Drama has a strong place within the cultural life of Ullswater Community College,
encompassed with the College’s Faculty of Arts, alongside Music, Dance and Art. It
encourages a deeper understanding of social, spiritual and moral values; develops
creativity, sensitivity and confidence. It affords students the opportunity for leadership,
to work as part of a team and to develop performing skills. Most importantly though,
students have the chance to experience the enjoyment that learning through Drama can
bring.
In curricular work there is a tradition of excellent results and there has been a
significant increase in the number of students opting for GCSE Drama. A-Level
Drama and Theatre Studies was introduced to the school curriculum for the first time
in 2006; this has also proven to be a very successful and increasingly popular course.
Extra-curricular activities are many and varied, allowing all students the opportunity
for involvement in several performances a year.
Curricular drama
Key Stage 3
All students in Years 7, 8 and 9 experience two timetabled lessons of Drama per
fortnight. All lessons are based around practical work, with each half term culminating
in a final performance or presentation. Students are regularly assessed on the three
areas of Creating, Performing and Responding using the Arts Council levels for Drama
to grade their work.
Key Stage 4
The department follows the Edexcel GCSE Drama course at Key Stage 4. There is no
exclusivity and there are no restrictions for entry, therefore all students in Year 9 are
able to opt for the subject. Work in Year 10 involves developing the skills, knowledge
and understanding required for Year 11, when the majority of the assessment takes
place. Students receive four lessons of Drama per fortnight.
Key Stage 5
The Edexcel A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies course is offered at Key Stage 5.
Entry requirements are a B or above in GCSE Drama and/or English (for AS) and a
minimum of a D at AS Level to continue on to A2. Students receive nine lessons per
fortnight.
Extra-curricular drama
The Drama Department produces an annual school production involving students from
all year groups, including, ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (December 2010),
‘Daisy Pulls it Off’ (July 2011), ‘Lord of the Flies’ (November 2011), ‘A Christmas
Carol’ (December 2012). Most recently, to great acclaim, was our first outing as a
fully integrated Arts Faculty – ‘The 39 Steps’ (July 2013) – weaving music, dance and
set/props from art into the action.
We have taken part in the North West regional rounds of ‘Rock Challenge’, an
international dance competition held at the Sands Centre in Carlisle. This usually
involves over 100 students from all year groups. The first of our last two entries was a
version of the ‘Wizard of Oz’, entitled ‘There’s No Place like Home’, which scooped
third place overall with additional awards for Hair and Make-up and Entertainment.
The performance was described by judges as the most ‘colourful and entertaining of
the evening’. Our most recent outing was with the theme, ‘Monopoly’ which we took
through to the regional finals in Grimsby.
In addition to this, we regularly put on Drama performances for GCSE and A-level
work. Recent productions have included, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-time’, ‘Pool (No Water)’ and numerous devised performances. As well as
performing, all students are encouraged to support and help out with these events (i.e.
backstage and front of house).
Theatre trips
Arranged throughout the year for examination groups and general attendance, these are
seen as an essential addition to students’ education. Trips are regularly organised to see
a variety of productions both locally and nationally. In the last few years we have
visited Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, the Sands Centre in Carlisle, the Theatre Royal
in Newcastle, the Royal Exchange in Manchester, LICA in Lancaster, Liverpool
Playhouse, and the National Theatre in London. Next month we will be running a
combined Drama and Art sixth form residential trip to London for four days where we
will see numerous productions and take part in workshop events.
Staffing
Two full-time specialist Drama teachers work within the department.
Accommodation
The Drama Department has two fully equipped spaces where lessons and rehearsals
take place. We also have regular access to the Cumberland Hall, which has pull-out,
tiered seating and sound and lighting systems.
Jane Reardon (Head of Department)
September 2013