KS3 Drama – Curriculum content
7
1
Bullying
8
Drama
Skills
9
Teenage
Runaways
2
3
4
5
6
Haunted
Rosa
Mime,
The
Witches
Darkwood
Parks
Mask &
Tempest
Manor
Movement
Charlotte Romeo
Seven
Fallen
Improvising
Dymond & Juliet
Deadly
Heroes
Effectively
Sins
Abstract
Little
The case
Melodrama Theatre in
Drama
Sister
of Derek Superheroes Education
Reality
Bentley
Show
YEAR 7 SCHEMES
BULLYING
Based on the book ‘Humpty Dumpty’ this is the story of Terry Dumpton. He could be a member of
your class, and he is being bullied. Students are asked to see the situation through the eyes of the
victim and the bully, and try to resolve the situation.
HAUNTED DARKWOOD MANOR
Darkwood Manor is a ghost story involving live actors from our Post 16 Drama course. The house
has been the centre of rumour and gossip for years - it is believed to be the most haunted house in
Britain. When the owner - George Darkwood - mysterious death coincides with the arrival of his
wicked niece - Millicent Brown - from London the villagers (students) begin to investigate further.
ROSA PARKS
The story of Rosa Parks, a black woman who in 1955 refused to move for a white man on a bus, and
was subsequently the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in America. Students are asked to
explore the issue of race, prejudice and human rights within the context of the Rosa Parks story
and the infamous ‘I Have a Dream’ made by Martin Luther King.
MASK, MOVEMENT AND MIME - THE STORY OF OSEO
The scheme begins with work on the 3 ‘M’s’ - Mime, Mask, and Movement. Students are then asked
to transfer these skills into a presentation of the North American Legend of the boy called Oseo.
THE TEMPEST - THE ENCHANTED ISLE
This is the story of the characters from ‘The Tempest’. We start in Milan, before the actual play
begins, exploring the characters of Antonio and Alonso, and the issues of power and greed.
Students are then taken to the enchanted island, and explore the fantasy characters of Sycorax,
Caliban and Ariel.
WITCHCRAFT
In this unit students will explore witchcraft through the ages and develop an understanding of their
world. Students will examine the issue of tolerance in a community, exploring harmony and
disharmony. Students will gain an understanding of how witches were and are perceived in the 18 th,
19th and 21st century.
YEAR 8 SCHEMES
SKILLS
This scheme recaps theatrical skills learnt in Year 7 in a series of short activities. In particular,
students revise improvisation, still image, thought tracking, conscience alleyway.
CHARLOTTE DYMOND
This scheme focuses on the true story of Charlotte Dymond who was murdered in 1817. The drama
is based on ‘The Ballad of Charlotte Dymond’ by Charles Causley and is essentially a murder
investigation which aims to develop the characters, possible motives and events which led up to
Charlotte’s murder.
SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Using a vaerity of drama techniques and explorative strategies students examine the 7 deadly sins.
They are asked to explore morals and values by considering the causes and consequences
surrounding the sin within modern society.
ROMEO AND JULIET
This scheme is based on Shakespeare’s classic story of the love of two young people which reaches
across the barriers of family and convention. Students explore the story and develop the
characters using a variety of drama techniques.
FALLEN HEROES
In this unit students will explore WW1 trench life and develop their understanding of the pressure
on the individual to do what is seen as honourable, and to question what is meant by the word. We
will identify what is home, and what we would sacrifice for that image, and consider the impact
and aftermath of war.
IMPROVISING EFFECTIVELY
This scheme develops and refines students’ existing knowledge of this important technique.
Students are taught how to improvise effectively by being taught about blocking and accepting in
an interesting and imaginative way.
YEAR 9 SCHEMES
RUNAWAY
This is the story of a teenager called Tom who runs away from home. Students are asked to
consider why he ran away, share some of his experiences of life on the street and look at ways of
resolving the situation
ABSTRACT DRAMA
This scheme introduces students to non-verbal communication and physical theatre. Students
develop skills and knowledge, working towards a final performance based on the poem the .38
LITTLE SISTER – REALITY SHOW
In this unit we create our own TV show, exploring the popularity of the reality television genre
within society today. Students will use the structure and ideas from the reality television show ‘Big
Brother’ and then explore and develop several aspects using a number of explorative strategies,
drama techniques and skills.
THE CASE OF DEREK BENTLEY - LET HIM HAVE IT
At the time the story starts Derek Bentley is 18 years old with a mental age of 9. Derek is under
the influence of the local thug – a 16 year old called Christopher Craig. Chris persuades Derek to
join him in petty crime – until November 2nd 1952, when the two break into a local warehouse.
Derek is arrested, but Chris resists arrest, shoots PC Fairfax in the shoulder and PC Miles in the
temple, killing him instantly. Both boys are tried for murder, but only Derek is classed as an adult
in the eyes of the law.
SUPERHEROES - MELODRAMA
This scheme explores the genre of melodrama. Students are introduced to stock characters, stance
and script work. The scheme includes a performance of a melodrama script in which students are
given the opportunity to show off their new found skills.
THEATRE IN EDUCATION
Students will develop an understanding of the origins of TIE, they will consider suitable topics,
target audience and how to use a story cycle to devise a performance for TIE.