Drama at CHS South provides a safe and creative space where students can explore, discover, and express themselves. By engaging with current and historical events, students develop empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence while gaining confidence as performers, creators, and critical thinkers. Through practical performance, script work, devising, and theatre analysis, we encourage students to see the power of theatre as a tool for education, empowerment, and positive change.

Key Stage 3 Drama develops the foundations of performance, devising and interpretation through a broad and inclusive curriculum. Students explore a range of theatrical styles including physical theatre, comedy, musical theatre and political theatre whilst developing vocal, physical and collaborative performance skills.

Through schemes such as Ghost Boys, Windrush, Billy Elliot and Physical Theatre, students explore themes including identity, discrimination, protest and social responsibility. Students develop confidence through improvisation, ensemble work, scripted performance and rehearsal whilst building their understanding of how theatre communicates meaning to an audience. Literacy and oracy are embedded throughout the curriculum through script reading, debate, discussion and performance evaluation. Students leave Key Stage 3 as confident, expressive and reflective young people with a strong understanding of theatre and performance.

At Key Stage 4, students develop as independent and reflective theatre makers through the AQA Drama specification. Students explore practitioners, performance styles and contemporary theatre whilst developing advanced acting, devising and evaluative skills. The curriculum encourages students to devise original theatre inspired by social and political issues, using rehearsal, collaboration and practitioner techniques to communicate artistic intention. Students study scripted texts, live theatre and professional performance whilst developing analytical writing and subject-specific vocabulary.

Through performance, devising and evaluation, students become confident communicators who understand the cultural and social importance of theatre and are prepared for further study, employment and the creative industries.

Students can extend their drama journey through:

• School productions and showcases

• Drama clubs and performance groups

• Workshops with professional actors, directors, and companies

• Trips to theatres and live performances

• Encourage confidence through speaking, performing, or presenting.

• Attend live theatre or watch recorded productions together.

• Talk about themes and characters in plays, films, or TV shows.

• Support learning of lines and rehearsal at home.

• Encourage participation in school productions or drama clubs.

• A Level Drama & Theatre Studies

• College and conservatoire training in drama, acting, or technical theatre

• University-level study in performance, theatre production, or drama education

Studying Drama develops much more than theatrical skills. It builds confidence, communication, empathy, teamwork, creativity, and resilience - qualities that are highly valued in all professions. That’s why Drama can open doors to almost any career, as well as specialised pathways in the arts.

Studying Drama at CHS South helps young people become confident, empathetic, and articulate individuals who are ready to take centre stage in life.