Drama Aims and Objectives

Drama is an integral part of a child’s education, and it is on offer in no small measure at Copthorne. Children receive timetabled drama lessons every week from Years 3 to 8. This enables us to promote Educational Drama alongside Performance Drama (see Philosophy); the former being taught as part of a syllabus during discrete lessons; the latter being encouraged through all forms of school production, from smaller festival plays and recitals to whole-school musicals.

 

Drama may not be an examined subject at Common Entrance, but few would doubt the benefits it brings to children’s self-esteem, confidence and communication skills. Whether preparing for a school play, writing a sketch of their own or participating in an Educational Drama lesson, Copthorne pupils are actively engaged in developing the kinds of life skills that will enable them to become confident, expressive and creative citizens.

 

Educational Drama lessons are divided into three broad topics, each one providing a range of exciting lessons, activities and games; these are:

- physical expression (encompassing facial expression and body language games, mime, mirrors, statues, charades and interview techniques); 

- verbal expression (encompassing voice work, projection, elocution, paired conversations, scenes and stories, telephone conversations and group scenarios);

- scripted drama (encompassing reading, writing, watching, performing and appraising a range of scripted sketches and plays).

 

These three curriculum strands are taught within the context of a termly topic – i.e. each year group works within a theme which encompasses some physical, spoken and scripted drama over the course of a term.

 

Working within a theme, or imagined setting, affords pupils and teachers an instant context for their drama work, bringing more meaning and purpose to what they are doing (and more enjoyment too). Themes include: ‘The Rainforest’, ‘The Haunted House’, ‘The Zoo’ and ‘Shipwrecked’. This way mimes, improvisations, word games and scripted work all fit into each umbrella theme for the term –which then changes every term, bringing a new and exciting setting for the children’s work.

 

Performance Drama is delivered through a range of productions, from whole school plays in the gym, to smaller productions in the theatre, to weekly dramatised assemblies in Chapel. Every pupil will have the opportunity to take part in a dramatic performance during the course of a year. Recent, and planned, productions include:

 

The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci by Year 7 (November 2007)

Macbeth by Year 8 (March 2008)

Tattybogle by Year 3 (June 2008)

Drama Evenings by Years 5-7 (June 2008),

Comedy Night by Year 8 (July 2008)

Bugsy Malone by Years 3-8 (March 2009)

 

Productions range from small scale sketches and reviews to much larger productions staged in the sports hall. At the time of writing, it is intended that a major school production will be held every two years in the sports hall, with an Arts Festival in between. The theatre is used throughout every year for Pre-Prep Nativity plays and shows, KS2 productions, a Year 8 Shakespeare play and a Leavers’ Comedy Night.

 

Productions at Copthorne are of a very high standard but, more importantly than that, they are good fun! There is always a buzz around the place during production week – whether you are in the play or not!

 

The abundance of dramatic and musical talent at Copthorne means that our programme of events and productions will grow each year.