Drama & Dance

Why Study Drama & Dance?

In the Drama and Dance Department at Beaulieu Convent School, we intend to inspire creativity, confidence, achieve excellent examination results and collaboration for all students through an engaging and challenging performing arts curriculum in a nurturing, caring, and inclusive environment. We cater to students from ages 7 to 18, providing a broad curriculum that nurtures both artistic and personal development, as well as developing building blocks that grow student subject knowledge and confidence as they progress through the school.

We also endeavour to tie in with the school's vision - Faith, Challenge, Opportunities, Respect and Endeavour through our Schemes of work, the way we interact with our students both in curriculum time and extra-curricular activities and the behaviours and standards we expect from students.

We aim to:

To develop students' confidence, communication, and teamwork skills.
To provide a safe and inclusive environment for creative expression.
To encourage appreciation of theatre and dance as art forms.
To encourage student expression and communication through the correct use of subject-specific vocabulary.
To offer opportunities for performance and professional development.
To give students the opportunities to develop employability skills such as - using their initiative, being organised and self-motivated; working to a deadline; communication, interpersonal, negotiation and teamwork skills.
To support students in pursuing further education or careers in the arts.
To nurture a love and enjoyment of the rich culture of theatre, storytelling and performing.

Year 7

At Beaulieu we start our study of Drama with an introduction to the basics of Drama such as facial expressions, body language, voice work, staging, frozen picture and the use of levels through the study of Sammy Streetsinger as busker who goes on a journey from busking, to the circus, then rock stardom, creating adverts with persuasive language and the pitfalls of fame. This is followed by the study of the creation of characterisation and atmosphere through the fictional story of Darkwood Manor. We then build on this through the study of live theatre performance and script work, studying the National Theatre’s production of "Peter Pan”. Finally, in the summer term, we study the story of the founders of the school Mere Saint Felix and what it means to live out the charism of Toute de Charite. In our final half term, we look at the historical events of being an Evacuee during the Second World War and how to create empathy from an audience.

Year 8

We continue our study of Drama, looking at the origins of Greek Theatre and the theatrical conventions from this era that have shaped modern Theatre. We then explore the use of movement and how it communicates meaning through action, motif, dynamics and space. In the Spring term, we look at style and genre and the conventions associated with different styles, culminating in creating a performance in a new student-invented genre. We then complete a study of scripts such as “The Railway Children” or “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". The Summer term sees Year 8 exploring the historical events of the sinking of the Titanic and participating in an extended project and culminating in a small group performance of a script.

Year 9-11: (GCSE Drama)

Students who choose Drama IGCSE will begin with a whole group Mime performance in the Drama Eisteddfod, developing and honing their practical and group skills. Students then move onto the practice of the NEA performances they will complete in Year 10 and Year 11 of monologues, group scripted work and group devised work. In years 10 and 11, students participate again in the Eisteddfod, competing in components of their practical assessments in group scripted, group devised and monologues.

Drama IGCSE course students will engage with developing their critical thinking and essay writing skills on their own devised performances and scripts studied ready for the next stage in their education.

Year 9-11: (GCSE) Dance

Students who choose Dance GCSE will begin their studies by looking at the foundations of practical dance and choreography. They will then move on to various practical performances of group work, choreography, performance of 2 set phrases and the study of 6 different dance productions ranging from contemporary to ballet and hip hop.

Dance GCSE course students will engage with developing their critical thinking and essay writing skills on their ideas for dance, safe dance practice, technical dance vocabulary and dance works studied, ready for the next stage in their education.

Year 12-13: (A Level) Drama

Studying Drama A Level is very exciting for students as they are given the opportunity to delve deeper into the study of specific playwrights from Lorca and Goldoni, live theatre productions and scripts such as “The Importance of Being Earnest” to “Teechers” by John Godber, as well as devising their own work in the style of practitioner “Frantic Assembly”.

Drama A Level course students will engage with further developing their critical thinking and essay writing skills on specific plays such as “Yerma” and critical appreciation of live theatre productions, endeavouring to demonstrate their knowledge of the social and historical context of these plays. They also develop skills in evaluating their own work and the rehearsal process through extended written coursework.

Year 12-13: (A Level) Dance

Studying Dance at A Level allows students to deepen their understanding of the subject and provides the opportunity to choreograph their own work. They explore the origins of contemporary dance through Rambert and examine the development of American jazz dance, with a particular focus on Gene Kelly’s iconic Singin’ in the Rain.

Dance A Level students will engage with further developing their critical thinking and essay writing skills on specific productions of “Rooster” and “Singin’ in the Rain” as well as the genres of British contemporary dance and American Jazz dance.

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