Drama

Head of Department: Stephen Ellis

Welcome to the Drama Department at Ivybridge Community College.

Our Drama curriculum places communication, creativity, and personal expression at its core. It helps students develop confidence, empathy, and critical thinking skills, enabling them to succeed both in performance and in everyday life.

Through practical exploration of themes, texts, and real-world issues, students build skills in collaboration, self-discipline, analysis, and reflection. They also gain an understanding of historical, social, and political contexts, developing into thoughtful, articulate, and reflective young people.

Supported by experienced specialist staff and excellent facilities—including a fully equipped drama studio, performance hall, rehearsal spaces, and ICT suite—students benefit from a rich programme of lessons, productions, and extracurricular opportunities such as whole-school performances, drama companies, and LAMDA qualifications.

The curriculum is inclusive and designed for all abilities, supporting progression into further study, drama school, or a wide range of careers. Drama develops transferable skills that are valuable across all subjects and future pathways.

While nurturing students as well-rounded individuals, the department also has a strong record of success in supporting progression to leading drama schools and careers in the professional performing arts industry. This is achieved through a carefully designed curriculum delivered alongside an extensive extracurricular programme.

Extra-Curricular

The Drama Department offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities that enhance classroom learning and play an important role in the cultural life of the College.

Opportunities include:

Whole College productions (every two years)
Limelight drama company (Years 7–9)
Spotlight drama company (Years 10–13)
Musical Theatre Group (MTG) and associated performance training

Students also have access to additional LAMDA qualifications through an expert drama coach, supporting progression and providing valuable experience for those considering a career in the performing arts.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7–9, all students study Drama as part of a broad and progressive curriculum designed to build confidence, creativity, and communication skills. The course is suitable for all learners, not only those who see themselves as performers, as it develops transferable skills valuable for further study, apprenticeships, and future employment.

Students are taught in mixed-attainment groups for two one-hour lessons per fortnight. Learning is structured through half-termly units, supported by structured booklets that include written reflection and one homework task per half-term.

Course Content

Students explore a wide range of themes, texts, and styles, including:

Drama fundamentals (communication, collaboration, and performance skills)
Social issues such as anti-bullying
Shakespeare (including Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night)
Greek theatre (Perseus and Medusa)
Commedia dell’Arte and physical comedy
Silent film and slapstick performance
Storytelling techniques and narrative structure
Devised theatre (e.g. Darkwood Manor, The Mysterious Case of Anna Evans, GIZMO)
Contemporary issues through Our World (e.g. climate change, mental health)

GCSE Drama

We follow the Eduqas GCSE Drama specification, which students study from Year 9 to Year 11.

Year 9 acts as an introductory foundation year, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of Drama, become familiar with course expectations, and begin building the skills required for GCSE-level study.

From Year 10 onwards, students continue to develop and refine their practical and analytical skills in line with the GCSE assessment structure.

The course is delivered as a structured three-year programme, designed to progressively build confidence, creativity, and performance ability in preparation for final assessment.

Exam Board: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-gcse/#tab_keydocuments

A Level Drama and Theatre

We follow the Eduqas A Level Drama and Theatre specification, ensuring continuity with GCSE study and a clear progression pathway.

This is a highly demanding and academically rigorous course. Students are expected to be passionate about Drama, self-motivated, collaborative, and willing to engage with creative and intellectually challenging work.

We are proud that a significant number of students progress to leading drama schools in the UK and internationally, study Drama at university level, and pursue successful careers in the performing arts industry. This success is supported by expert teaching, strong links between curriculum and extracurricular provision, and regular opportunities to attend professional workshops and theatre visits.

The course is delivered over two years and is carefully structured to develop both practical and theoretical understanding of Drama and Theatre at an advanced level.

Exam Board: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre-asa-level/#tab_keydocuments

How can you support your child in Drama?

We no longer require students to wear plimsolls in Drama.
For students who choose to wear a skirt as part of the college uniform, we require some form of shorts to be worn to protect their modesty. These can be college PE shorts, black/navy blue cycling shorts, or thick black/navy blue leggings.
Encourage them to discuss and evaluate films, TV shows and other dramatic presentations they may watch on television, or at the cinema or theatre.
Many issues and themes, often cross-curricular, and linked to CPSHE topics, are covered in Drama. Encourage them to discuss these with you.
For GCSE and A Level students especially, take them to a broad range of theatrical productions, preferably in a range of venues.
For GCSE and A Level students, purchase specific texts that are being studied as part of the course.

For more information, please contact the College here:

Contact the College