The vision of the Drama department at St. John Bosco is to create a vibrant, inclusive space where every student feels empowered to explore their identity, develop their voice, and connect deeply with others through the art of performance. Grounded in the Salesian spirit of joy, relationship, and holistic education, drama aspires to cultivate young people who are not only creatively expressive but also socially aware and spiritually grounded. We envision a learning environment where students are encouraged to take creative risks, collaborate with empathy, and use theatre as a means of personal growth, social dialogue, and positive change in the world around them.
The vision for the drama subject at St. John Bosco is to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment where KS3 students can develop their creativity, confidence, and understanding of performance, while building a solid foundation for future success in drama at GCSE level. Lessons are designed to be both inspiring and hands-on, allowing students to explore the core skills of acting, devising, and performance, while also embedding key elements from the Edexcel GCSE Drama specification. Through practical activities, group collaboration, and analysis of live theatre, students will not only enhance their technical and creative abilities but also deepen their understanding of drama as a form of expression and social commentary. This approach ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of GCSE Drama, fostering critical thinking, personal reflection, and a passion for the performing arts.
Homework at both KS3 and KS4 should aim to develop the skills and knowledge that support performance, devising, and evaluation. Here's how you might approach homework across both key stages:
At KS4, homework deepens understanding of the Eduqas components: devising, performing, and evaluating.
As well as developing and performing their own performances, students will study whole texts such as ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Blood Brothers’. This enables us to support literacy in the Drama curriculum, through reading, comprehension and inference. Through the study of whole texts, students will be taught to recognise the varied aspects of theatre in order to understand how they could pursue Drama at Key Stage 5, University and as a career. Students will learn to analyse plays and performances, write reviews, design costumes and sets and direct performances.
Independent research is encouraged in drama by fostering curiosity and ownership over learning, both in practical and theoretical contexts. Students are often tasked with exploring the social, historical, and cultural background of plays, playwrights, or theatre styles to deepen their understanding of character, context, and performance intent. For example, when devising original work or preparing for scripted performances, students might research relevant themes, real-world events, or influential practitioners such as Stanislavski or Brecht to inform their creative choices. Additionally, drama promotes reflective practice—students are encouraged to evaluate performances (their own and others’) and seek out information on staging, costume, or dramatic techniques to enhance their work. This process helps develop essential skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and the ability to justify artistic decisions—key components of both GCSE specifications and wider academic growth.
