Drama

Introduction

The Drama Department at Halliford is a vibrant, creative community where students are encouraged to take risks, build confidence, and discover their artistic potential. Led by Miss Tiller (Head of Drama), Mr Carroll, Mrs Gillies and Mr Jarvis (Theatre Technician), the department offers a wealth of opportunities for students to engage with theatre both in and beyond the classroom. The department is centred around our 300-seat theatre, where students can often be found performing on stage, rehearsing, designing technical elements or supporting productions behind the scenes.

Drama at Halliford equips students not only with performance skills, but with the confidence, creativity, resilience and communication skills that will serve them in every aspect of their future lives. We strive to create a supportive environment where students feel empowered to express themselves, collaborate with others and develop as young theatre-makers. From Year 7 through to A Level, the theatre is a place where students can challenge themselves, celebrate their successes and enjoy being part of a department that values every contribution, both on and off the stage.

Years 7 – 9

In Key Stage 3, all students have one Drama lesson each week in our theatre. Through practical exploration, discussion and performance, students develop confidence, communication skills, creativity and collaboration. Our curriculum introduces students to a range of theatrical styles, practitioners, and performance techniques, while encouraging them to become imaginative and reflective theatre-makers.

Year 7 provides a foundation in performance skills and theatre-making. Students begin with an introduction to theatre techniques before exploring the origins of performance through the study of Greek Theatre. They then develop their understanding of audience engagement through Children’s Theatre before studying Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers.

Year 8 builds on these foundations through the study of the play Willkommen, with a performance evening to celebrate their success. The course then explores physical comedy and an introduction to technical theatre. Students explore how movement, timing, and visual storytelling can create meaning on stage, while also gaining an appreciation of the important role of lighting, sound, and stage management in theatrical productions.

Year 9 prepares students for GCSE study through the exploration of Dennis Kelly’s DNA and the work of influential theatre practitioners. Students begin to analyse how practitioners shape contemporary performance and are introduced to devising techniques, enabling them to create and evaluate their own original work.

GCSE Drama

Drama is a popular and successful GCSE option, giving students the opportunity to develop as performers, directors, designers and theatre-makers. Students benefit from four lessons per week, alongside a wide range of rehearsal and performance opportunities within the department.

Students currently follow two examination pathways:

• Year 10 students study Edexcel GCSE Drama.
• Year 11 students complete the OCR GCSE Drama course.

Both specifications encourage students to develop practical performance skills, create original devised work and gain a deeper understanding of theatrical texts and live performance. Throughout the course, students are supported in becoming independent, creative and reflective practitioners.

A Level Drama and Theatre

A Level Drama and Theatre provides students with the opportunity to engage with theatre at an advanced level, combining practical exploration with rigorous academic study. Students create original performances, analyse influential practitioners and develop a sophisticated understanding of how theatre communicates meaning to an audience.

Students currently follow two examination pathways:

• Lower Sixth students study Edexcel A Level Drama and Theatre.
• Upper Sixth students complete the OCR A Level Drama and Theatre course.

The course challenges students to think critically, collaborate effectively and develop their artistic voice. Many students take on leadership roles within productions and the wider department, helping foster the strong sense of community central to Drama at Halliford.