“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” (Oscar Wilde)
Drama is a distinct subject taught to every pupil throughout their time at Westminster Under School. Work takes place in a purpose-built environment with clearly defined expectations. Through performance, pupils look at their lives, identities, values, and cultures by making, performing, and responding to a wide range of stimuli. Drama engages pupils’ intellect and their emotions, enabling them to develop their emotional literacy and analytical awareness by exploring a range of perspectives imaginatively. This level of engagement also advances the development of pupils’ critical thinking,
Curriculum
Every pupil has one Drama lesson with their class each week, from Reception through to Year 8. Central to everything we do is the belief that Drama should be fun and instructive. We aim to unlock pupils’ creativity by ensuring a safe learning environment and employing a range of Drama activities for solo and group work. These include: role-play, freeze frames, thought tracking, problem solving, improvisation, directing, and rehearsing a script. Pupils learn about key artistic movements and are given the opportunity to work on extended projects. For example, in Year 7 pupils direct, rehearse, and perform a scene from a Shakespeare play, and in Year 8, they learn about Brecht’s theatrical devices and explore their use through a variety of script extracts and improvised work.
Close attention has been paid to the progression of the pupils as they journey through Westminster, starting at the Under School and on to Westminster School, or other senior schools. A pupil’s knowledge, understanding, and experience of Drama, including its conventions and subject specific vocabulary, builds incrementally from Reception through to Year 8 and seamlessly on to GCSE and A Level, should they choose to pursue these courses. Regular communication with the Head of Drama (Academic) at Westminster School continues to enhance our understanding of one another’s work.
Reception children spend the second half of the Play term rehearsing a Nativity production for performance in December, whilst Year 3 and 4 pupils spend their Drama lessons later in the academic year rehearsing a musical production.
Enrichment
The Under School has a well-equipped theatre with raked seating which enables participants to experience working on shows with high production values. With both the Middle School and Senior School shows, participation is optional and all-inclusive; anyone who wishes to take part can with roles cast from auditions. The Middle School’s production (Years 5 and 6) is usually staged in the Lent term, directly before the Easter break, and the Senior production (Years 7 and 8) is in the Play term, staged in either mid-October or mid-November. Choice of productions alternate between plays and musical theatre so that participants get a range of experiences.
For those in Year 7 and 8 who are interested in the technical aspects of a production, such as lighting and sound, a team of Theatre Technicians is recruited to support each production. Our Lighting and Sound Technician teaches the pupils the skills required of a Stage Management team. Without them, the show simply could not go on!
Departmental Staff
Mr James Bithell
— Lighting and Sound Technician
Ms Ivana Ivancic
— Administrative Assistant to the Director of Expansion; Drama Department Assistant
Miss Lindsay Tricker
— Director of Drama
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