In Drama, students have opportunities to develop their subject-specific theatrical skills (such as acting technique and performance evaluation) as well as powerful knowledge (such as theatre history and the contributions of key practitioners). Furthermore, in the Drama department students develop a range of transferable skills which help equip them for the workplace, such as: organisation, time management, collaboration and responding to constructive criticism. We have a strong positive ethos of encouraging everyone to take part in the theatre-making process, which helps our students become confident, disciplined, and resilient learners.  Theatre practitioners take the responsibilities of citizenship very seriously, understanding that the arts play a significant role in the culture of our society. As such, in our Drama curriculum we aim to actively contribute to students’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural education, by covering a range of moral and ethical topics and exploring ideas of identity. 

Drama students learn to navigate the world. Not all students will be interested in pursuing Drama long-term, but our knowledge-rich curriculum is designed so that it helps build cultural capital that can help students navigate the adult world successfully.  

The arts empower students. As a technical school, we are particularly passionate about the value of the STEAM subjects, and as with other technical subjects subjects, Drama can equip and empower students to think critically, be solution-focused and work collaboratively towards a shared goal.  

Drama is inclusive. In Drama at CTS we aim to narrow the attainment gap by meeting the needs of all pupils. Drama brings together students who may have varying attainment, confidence or backgrounds.  

KS3 Drama provides a broad introduction into the world of Drama and Theatre. By laying a solid foundation in important knowledge and skills, students develop into confident and effective theatre practitioners. The KS3 curriculum is structured to cover a wide range of theatrical knowledge and vocabulary so that students can talk about and evaluate theatre confidently, and therefore make informed theatre practitioners and audience members. Students study Music and Drama in rotation throughout the year during years 7, 8 and 9.  

Drama is an option that students have the opportunity to choose as part of their GCSEs. The course builds on the foundational skills and knowledge that have been laid in KS3 and comprises three units: a group devising project, performance from a script and a written exam (about a play we have studied, and a review of a live performance). 

At KS4, students study Edexcel (1DR0) GCSE Drama. 

Subject Exams