The Drama Department at Bonus Pastor Catholic College provides highly effective teaching and learning in drama, theatre studies, and live performance. It aims to equip each student with a wide range of practical skills; a thorough knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre from a variety of periods and cultures; the ability to form opinions about their own and other’s work; develop self-confidence in performing and presentation; and the desire to appreciate live theatre as both a performer and audience independently.

Drama Big Ideas

Drama at Key Stage 3

Lessons are compulsory in Key Stage 3, and pupils receive 2 periods a fortnight, one double lesson, where they are taught a range of devising, performing and evaluating skills. Students are encouraged to develop creativity and collaborative skills through regular group work activities. The topics studied are extremely varied and students are introduced to theatre history from Ancient Greek theatre, to Melodrama, to Medieval Theatre. We use a range of stimulus material in topics, such as anti-bullying and childhood, throughout KS3 where pupils will learn how to create and evaluate their own work as well as explore scripted material. All students are encouraged to develop their confidence through vocal and physical skills as well as learn how to be analytical through constructive criticism.

For a full list of our topics studied please see the Topic Overview Download below. 

Homework is usually set twice a half term and will include written evaluation of work they have carried out in class, self and peer assessment, research tasks, learning of lines in preparation for the next lesson and assessments as well as focused improvement tasks.

KS3 Drama Overview

Drama at Key Stage 4

Drama is an option subject at GCSE where students continue to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding attained throughout KS3. Throughout the GCSE course, students are required to develop in confidence by devising their own group performance from a stimulus, perform extracts from scripted texts, and complete a written evaluative exam. The topics studied range from becoming young adults to communication and studying set texts such as Hard to Swallow. Performance styles and genres learned at KS3 will be revisited and built upon. Students can complete the course as a performer and/or a designer (sound/lighting/costume). Theatre visits are an essential aspect of ensuring that students are able to appreciate and evaluate live theatre as well as develop their own practice.

More detail can be found out about GCSE in the section below.

GCSE Drama Overview

Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities

The department runs a weekly drama club on Tuesdays, providing students with an opportunity to build confidence, develop creative skills, teamwork and concentration. It also creates a safe environment to shape positive relationships with other students.

Each year we put on a College Production, where we have over 40 students, ranging from Year 7 to Year 11, involved and working together collaboratively. Students can take part as a performer, sound or lighting technician or member of the backstage crew. 

Our previous productions include:

• February 2016 – Bugsy Malone
• February 2017 – West Side Story
• July 2018 – Our Day Out
• February 2019 - Les Misérables School Edition
• February 2020 - Little Shop of Horrors
• February 2022 - Aladdin Jr 
• March 2023 - Sister Act Jr

We work closely with Lewisham Youth Theatre (LYT) where a number of our Year 7 – 10 students go on to become members of their Technical Theatre Production Group and Junior/Senior Youth Theatre Group. We have also recently developed partnerships with the Old Vic Theatre, through their Take The Lead program where students are enabled to use theatre techniques and creative workshops on five core skills: communication, self-management, self-belief, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Students are also provided with opportunities to audition with industry professionals, both in and out of school and a number of students have been successful.

The Drama department have been working collaboratively with St Dunstan’s to offer LAMDA lessons as part of the More Able Scholarship Programme. The lessons help boost confidence and help develop stronger speaking skills. Pupils work towards a graded LAMDA exam at the end of the year. 

For more details please email our Head of Department.

Ms. V Clarke - vclarke@bonuspastor.co.uk