Senior Drama

Senior School Drama

Ratcliffe College recognises and values the unmeasurable benefit that studying Drama brings to students, most significantly their personal development and Strength of Character. 

The Drama Department delivers a vast range of topics across 9 Year groups, developing specific skills and providing exciting opportunities for students to explore the world of Drama and Theatre from Year 5 – Year 13. 

There are numerous opportunities for students to participate in varying scale Performance Evenings, as well as attending theatres near and far. 

KS3 Academic Programme

Across Years 7-9 students build their own repertoire of Drama skills and techniques. This is done through; the exploration of scriptwork, the development of Devised performance material and delving into the world of Theatre Design. All KS3 lessons develop life skills and prepare students for further study within the subject.

Some KS3 Topics Include:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, Mime, Myths and Legends, Commedia Dell’Arte, Pantomime, Soap Opera, Our Day Out by Willy Russell, The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty by David Calcutt, Theatre in Education, Physical Theatre and many more!

GCSE Drama

GCSE students explore a range of dynamic and contemporary theatre practitioners like Frantic Assembly, alongside the works of historical practitioners such as Bertolt Brecht.

Students who opt to study GCSE Drama at Ratcliffe College will study the WJEC Eduqas syllabus. This is an exciting, inspiring and practical course that promotes involvement in and enjoyment of Drama, as performers and/or designers. Students will investigate practitioner and genre; working collaboratively to develop ideas to communicate meaning and experiment with dramatic conventions, forms and techniques to produce and realise a piece of original theatre. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the performance of an extract from a play text. Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of, including their ability to interpret texts for performance, in a written examination at the end of Year 11.

GCSE Component 2 – The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and Teechers by John Godber.

Career Development

Our Department is always looking to develop opportunities for students to move into the professional field. Some Ratcliffe students have gone on to Performing Arts schools such as; East 15, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Arts Education, Liverpool Institue of Performing Arts. Others have undertaken work experience with the world tour of Chicago and, within the BBC, Whitechapel, as well as BBC Radio Nottingham. Some students have performed at The Globe, The Curve Theatre, The Little Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse.

Lord of the Flies

Professional Experience

To enhance the study of Drama for our students, we provide regular opportunities to visit theatres. These include watching productions of varying styles and participating in backstage tours and workshops. Ratcliffe College employs well renowned Theatre Companies to visit our options students and lead workshops, previously Frantic Assembly have worked with students to explore how culturally influenced collaborations between movement, design, music and text can be created and developed.

Scholarships in Drama for Year 7 are available and if students have a passion for acting and are prepared to go that extra mile, it is worth considering applying. 

Getting Involved

To enhance the study of drama across the year groups, we take regular trips to the theatre, including backstage tours so that students can see how a professional theatre is run.   

GCSE pupils are given the chance to take part in regular workshops which include visits from world renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly.