ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE
MAGHERA
Performing Arts
Welcome To The Performing Arts & Drama Department
Drama and Performing Arts are very popular subjects with class sizes being small in order to give great attention to each pupil’s creative development. Drama has cross-curricular opportunities and as a subject, it encourages young people to communicate effectively and develops empathy. The ethos of the department is one of promoting confidence and individual self-expression. All teaching includes both practical and theory on theatre, practitioners and dramatic techniques.
Performing Arts & Drama Department: Aims
Our aim for Drama and Performing Arts is to build pupil confidence by giving them opportunities for self-expression and active engagement. Drama has cross-curricular opportunities and as a subject, it encourages young people to communicate effectively and develops empathy. Many people often ask what they can do with Drama and the truth is that Drama will open many doors for our young people in their futures. That range of transferable skills built within the Drama classroom will allow young people to grow, not only as an individual but also as part of a team.
Performing Arts & Drama Department:
Subject Overview
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 Staff:
Mrs M Paden (Head of Department)
Mrs M Nolan
Mr A Terrington
Mrs L Brown
Mrs K McAteer
Miss C McLaughlin
Miss A Quinn
Mrs N Regan
Teaching across all Key Stages includes both practical and theory on theatre, practitioners and dramatic techniques. In Year 8 pupils focus on an introduction to dramatic devices before moving on to the musical theatre units which both focus on Characterisation in Matilda the Musical and Devising Drama with Matilda the Musical.
In Year 9 pupils build the skills learned in Year 8 before moving on to explore the play Our Day Out by Willy Russell, as well as work on Soaps and Superheroes.
In Year 10 pupils explore Melodrama through the Musical Sweeney Todd before exploring Blood Brothers by Willy Russell. Blood Brothers is our GCSE set text and this introduction allows pupils to gain insight into the GCSE specification.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 & 5 Staff
Mrs M Paden (Head of Department)
Mrs M Nolan
Mr A Terrington
At GCSE pupils study the CCEA GCSE Drama Specification where they build upon their prior learning in Year 10 Drama with the exploration of Blood Brothers. Pupils will spend their two years exploring the text further, the overall exam is with 40% of their GCSE.
In Year 11 pupils will complete a Devised Performance (25%) along with a Student Log, which includes a written report of their exploration of the devised performance. This will allow pupils to develop their written communication skills within Drama. The devised performance is internally assessed by the subject teachers and then the recording of this, along with the student log, are sent to CCEA for external moderation.
In Year 12 pupils will continue their work on Blood Brothers for their written exam. As well as this, they will work in groups to prepare a Scripted Performance which they deliver to an external examiner. The SP is based off a play that already exists, pupils must work in groups of 2-6 in order to deliver a performance, this is internally assessed and then externally moderated by a visiting examiner for CCEA.
Key Stage 5
A Level Drama is also studied with CCEA through A Level Performing Arts. In their KS5 education our pupils will explore the world of Performing Arts, helping to prepare them for future studies at university level, but also for many other course as this area of study provides them with opportunities to develop their ability to manage their studies through independent research, group research, written communication through coursework, oral communication through performances as well as their confidence in their own ability to write and perform.
Performing Arts & Drama Department: Careers
Drama is a subject that can allow your child to grow in many areas of their lives through the development of vital skills such as literacy skills, communication skills, confidence, team work, self-management, organisational skills, and more.
Different pathways open to pupils through the study of Drama include:
Acting,
Arts Administration,
Broadcasting,
Drama Teacher,
Drama Therapist,
Stage Manager,
Radio Production,
Set Design,
Theatre Production,
Writing.
Extra-Curricular Life in Drama at SPC
The Drama and Music Society brought Drama back to SPC in 2023 with the production of The Wizard of Oz, with a cast and crew of over 120 pupils and teachers. Our aim is to continue to build pupils' engagement in Drama outside the classroom with a school production every two years - watch this space.
Performing Arts & Drama Department: Gallery
