It has five key pillars:
Inclusive and Aspirational:
Drama at Oakwood is inclusive to all students from all walks of life, the subject also teaches inclusivity for all, with specific playtexts and playwrights being studied. At Oakwood, Drama is not simply acting but looking at how to use key skills such as ensemble work, confidence and communication to transfer them to any setting after the school journey is finished. There are opportunities to allow students to explore various aspects of human experience, develop empathy and express themselves creatively. At Oakwood we value both the process and product of Drama, we foster a sense of achievement and ambition while also creating a welcoming environment for all students. To raise aspirations and allow our students to make informed decisions about their future, we create opportunities to help students think like designers, producers, stage runners, promoters and directors, as well as actors. We also emphasise how sophisticated reading, writing and speaking and listening skills, all of which are explicitly developed in Drama, are critical to a huge range of careers, from lawyer to politician. There are opportunities for students to partake in performances, throughout the year, in school and in the community, plus students are given the opportunity to train with real actors and directors and perform on the Sheffield Crucible stage.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy:
One of the core elements of Drama at both KS3 and KS4 is communication. Students not only communicate through their use of voice but also learn how to understand and communicate through body language, gestures and facial expressions. Drama at Oakwood teaches the unspoken English language. Drama has a strong foundation in literacy and comes hand in hand with the National Curriculum for English. Students have the opportunity to improvise, rehearse and perform play scripts in order to generate language and discuss language use and meaning, using role, intonation, tone, volume, mood, silence, stillness and action to add impact. By developing students’ speaking and listening skills in performance, as well as their reading and writing skills in evaluating and analysing writers’ artistic intentions and their own, we hope to make them critical readers and powerful communicators who can engage effectively with the modern world. Although not explicitly taught, numeracy and Drama are interconnected; students have to be critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Ambitious and Sequenced Learning:
Through a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum, Drama at Oakwood intends to embed knowledge and skills that challenge all learners, exposing students to a range of texts and performances, fostering an appreciation of the drama canon and broadening their cultural capital. The key principles of the discipline include: creative meaning in performance, applying theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions, demonstrating knowledge of the development and performance of drama and theatre and analysis. These principles are embedded into teaching and learning at KS3 and KS4, in an age-appropriate manner. Oakwood has links to our Trust Further Education provider, Thomas Rotherham College as well as contacts within Rotherham College allowing students to go through a full learning journey of Drama and allowing students the opportunity to see how Drama can take them beyond Oakwood High School.
Cultivating Independent Learners:
The Drama curriculum at Oakwood, effectively fosters independent learners by providing opportunities for student-led activities, choices in learning and the development of skills applicable across various subjects. By incorporating these elements, the curriculum can empower students to take ownership of their learning and become more confident, creative, and capable individuals. At Oakwood, the 5 Rs underpin the curriculum as a whole, but more specifically underpin every Drama lesson a student experiences. Drama naturally makes a student resilient and reflective as students have to undertake rehearsals and make changes every single lesson. Drama teaches students that it’s okay to make mistakes but most importantly learn from those mistakes.
Holistic Personal Development:
Drama at Oakwood goes beyond acting and performance, the curriculum teaches students to use drama as a tool for learning, exploring themes and developing life skills. Drama provides a safe space for students to explore their emotions, develop social skills and build confidence through different activities such as, improvisation exercises (developing spontaneity, communication, and quick thinking skills), drama scenarios (exploring historical events, social issues, or fictional narratives, exploring context), character development (helping students understand characters’ motivations, emotions, and relationships) and narrative building (supporting students to developing creative storytelling skills). Through these activities, students are then exposed to: enhanced learning which is engaging and memorable; improved social and emotional skill;, increased confidence and self esteem; stronger community ties and preparation for future success. Drama promotes a sense of belonging, whilst encouraging students to explore diverse perspectives and foster positive relationships with others. By incorporating the above elements and activities, a holistic personal development, the Drama curriculum at Oakwood empowers students to grow into well-rounded individuals who are prepared to thrive in a complex world.
