Aims
Drama enables pupils to explore, develop and express ideas and concepts which will help them make sense of reality. It is a life skill and a creative art form. It helps pupils develop their ability to use voice, movement, gesture and facial expression, in acting, mime, dance drama and improvisation. They can express and manage their thoughts and feelings – shared and experienced – while working in a safe and controlled environment. The development of these skills encourages self-confidence and self-awareness. It promotes the development of the individual in a group context: roles and ideas are negotiated, problems solved and decisions made together. Drama often leads to performance for a wider audience.
Staff
Mrs J Kerr (HOD)
Mr B Parke
Key Stage 3
All pupils at KS3 receive one hour of drama over the two week timetable. Pupils are assessed using drama levels, which are displayed in the drama suite. Each pupil will be given a ‘Drama Diary’ at the beginning of the year. This diary is a booklet containing feedback, assessments and details of each workshop. There are detailed schemes of work for each key stage which promote and encourage a wide range of teaching and learning styles. Schemes of work incorporate both practical and written activities, with weekly homework tasks to help reinforce pupil learning.
GCSE
At Cross and Passion College we use CCEA GCSE Drama Specification in which we have had huge success over the last number of years. The CCEA GCSE Drama specification motivates and inspires students to build and showcase their competence in a range of creative, practical and performance skills.
This comprehensive and innovative course encourages students to develop a personal interest in drama. Students choose one of two pathways – performance (acting), or design (costume, lighting, multimedia, set or sound). They work creatively with others, generating, developing and communicating their ideas for a devised performance ( 25% and includes a student log) and for a scripted performance (35%). They also explore social, historical and cultural influences on drama texts and activities. Written paper (40%)
This specification is a linear qualification: students take all the assessment at the end of the course.
Post-16
At Cross and Passion College we offer CCEA Performing Arts. This course enables pupils to select from a wide range of disciplines. Those who would like to take on a more technical role, design, music or acting would be suited to this fantastic course.
Students can chose from a range of disciplines to study:
Dance
Drama (acting)
Music
Design (costume and set)
Director (including musical director)
Stage Management
Technical (lighting or sound)
The CCEA GCE Performing Arts specification encompasses drama, dance, music and any genre that involves performing in front of an audience.
Performing arts is a huge growth industry in Northern Ireland: the Game of Thrones phenomenon has resulted in a burgeoning film industry, with many other major productions, such as Derry Girls, Line of Duty and The Fall creating a range of employment opportunities here.
This specification is available at two levels: AS and A2. Students can take the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification. They can also choose to take the course as a stand-alone qualification.
In the AS units, students develop their skills and apply them to practical contexts. They will also plan and realise a Performing Arts event.
Students who continue to A2 learn about planning for employment in the performing arts industry and will also have the opportunity to form a production company to research, plan, promote and realise a performing arts event in response to a commission brief.
Extracurricular
Every second year the school produces a whole school musical production, which has had huge success over the last number of years. All pupils are welcome to audition and all pupils who express an interest get a part in the production, from acting on the stage or helping behind the scenes.
Previous productions
Wizard of Oz
Grease
Little Shop of Horrors
Bugsy
Joseph
Gallery
