Drama
Core Subjects
Core Subjects
Thank you for visiting The Winston Churchill School Drama Department webpage.
Drama is an exciting and upcoming part of our school, with our engaging curriculum that focuses on the industry standard and the academic theory behind performing, enhanced by our ever-growing extracurricular provision. Please have a look at the different areas of the department below to find out what we offer, what we have coming up, and what is yet to come.
About Us
The Drama Department is housed in three specialists Drama studios where students are able to engage in a range of practical activities. Our ethos is centred around empowering students through positions of leadership and responsibility. We have several branches of student organisations that allow students to succeed in the wider community of the school and further develop the performance skills of younger students and their peers. We view each GCSE student as young professionals and impart skills that can be used in the industry or be transferred to all areas of working life and further education including confidence and public speaking.
The Performance Space
We have recently completed construction of our new Performance Space which has invested over a million pounds in the furthering Performing Arts at Winston. These facilities include state of the art lighting and sound equipment along with live camera tracking and an adaptive giant screen with huge academic and AV potential.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding Drama at Winston, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Drama team using the email addresses below:
Mr T. Harrington-Tucker - Head of Drama
t.harringtontucker@wcsc.org.uk
Mr T. Penfold - Teacher of Drama
Miss L. Watson- Teacher of Drama
Mr O. Major - Performing Arts Technician
KS4 Curriculum Information and Results
At Winston we are going against the national trend as our Key Stage 4 numbers have grown considerably over the last 4 years whilst nationally, they are falling. Statistically, one third of each year group take Drama as an option.
The central option for Drama is AQA GCSE Drama.
GCSE Drama
At Winston students entering Key Stage 4 are able to opt for GCSE Drama. We study the AQA GCSE course in which students are required to devise, perform and analyse Drama. Students receive 5 hours-worth of lessons over our 2-week timetable and are able to access additional support through private directing sessions and the online curriculum.
KS3 Curriculum Information
At Winston students in years 7-9 receive at least 2 hours-worth of Drama over our 2-week timetable. Students study a range of topics and different styles during Key Stage 3, which focus on introducing and building key skills in devising, performing, styles, techniques and analysing Drama. Students are encouraged to work on different projects during Key Stage 3 so that they experience a broad, varied and engaging curriculum.
School Productions and Clubs
If you have any questions regarding extracurricular Drama at Winston, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team (please see the Contact Us section above):
Main School Production
The school has become well known in the local area for the high standard of its drama productions, all of which are open to the public. Each year, Winston goes takes their main school production to the Rhoda McGaw theatre.
Our main musical boasts a cast and crew of 300 students, each with specific roles and a part in the performance, it is a truly remarkable experience and a great way to meet other people in the school community. With Little Shop of Horrors marking Winston's return to the Rhoda in 2023 and School of Rock to come in 2024, the main school production is set to grow.
KS3 Production and Gifted and Talented Performances
Each year in the summer term the department alternates between a KS3 Production and the Gifted and Talented Performance. This gives each group of students a chance showcase their skills and develop in a leading role. Most recently, students have taken part in the G&T performance of SIX, which received fantastic reviews from the community.
Classic / Shakespeare Performance
Students will also get a chance to audition and take part in a classic's performance or Shakespeare throughout the year. Working on these scripts broadens each students appreciation for literature and can help enrich their experiences in other areas of school. In 2023, 'Midsummer' was directed by English Teacher Miss R. Townsend and this is followed in 2024 by Mr. D Fisher's 'Metamorphoses'.
Year 7 Drama Club
Experience a different environment through year 7 Drama club. This one-hour session after school allows older Drama prefects to run sessions for smaller groups of year 7's, allowing them to consolidate their skills and meet new people as they start their journey in secondary school.
Performing Arts Awards
Throughout the year The Drama Department, in collaboration with music, put on an event which celebrates the success of students from the Performing Arts family at Winston, this is a large-scale evening that invites parents and members of the public into the Performance Space to watch key performances, the presentation of select awards and memories throughout the school year. Invitations are sent out via golden envelopes in the spring term.
Student Leadership
Student responsibility is a core part of the Drama at Winston. We firmly believe in empowering students to further success through positions of leadership within the school. Alongside the mainstream prefect programme, students are also welcome to apply and interview for a position on the Student Leadership Team. These positions encompass a variety of positions and bespoke training is provided once their application has been successful. Students can apply for the following roles within Drama:
- Producer
- Event Manager
- Theatre Manager
- Dance Captain
- Stage Manager
- Vocal Supervisor
- Technical Director
- Drama Mentor
These positions become available at different stages of their Winston journey, and we encourage students to get involved in as many events and shows as possible should they wish to be considered. Students within these roles work with the Drama team to develop their working skills alongside their academic commitments to ensure that they receive the best experience the school has to offer.
Extra Curricular
Drama clubs run from September through to December from 3pm – 4pm. Year 7’s meet every Tuesday, Year 8’s every Wednesday with Year 9 Drama club running every Thursday in the Autumn term.
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