Drama

Mission Statement

At Kirkcaldy High School, the Drama Department is committed to nurturing creativity, confidence, and collaboration in every learner. Learners will be given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their Acting and Design skills as they take part in devised and scripted performances. Through creating and performing, we foster a strong sense of Community, encouraging students to support one another, celebrate diversity, and build meaningful connections. Our curriculum inspires Ambition, challenging learners to take creative risks, develop resilience, and strive for excellence both on and off the stage. We promote Respect through empathy, active listening, and showing an appreciation for different perspectives – essential qualities for life in and beyond school.

S1:

How to Drama: A unit exploring basic Drama skills and how to work collaboratively with different people
Mime: A unit exploring how to create performances using mime and movement skills
Poison: A unit focusing on characterisation techniques such as role play and thought-tracking
Runaways: A theme based unit exploring the issue of teenage runaways

S2:

Conventions: A unit dedicated to creating plot-driven storylines considering the purpose and target audiences for dramas
Darkwood Manor: A mood and atmosphere unit using Production skills such as lighting, sound and costume
Young Carers: A theme based unit exploring the role of young carers
Exploring Script: A unit focusing on exploring different genres through script work, taking on roles as Actors, Designers or Directors

S3:

Script to Stage: A unit exploring the process of developing characters and drama from script. Analysing script, characterisation techniques, blocking scenes, performance and reflection are key components.
Devising: A unit exploring genre and target audience as learners create a theatrical horror piece. Key features of genres, textual analysis, mood and atmosphere, structuring stories and lights and sound are all key components.
Verbatim Theatre: A unit exploring real life stories and how we can adapt these for the theatre. Learners will research a real world issue or story and develop this into a powerful piece of theatre.

National 3 and 4 Drama

At these levels candidates will complete two mandatory units:

Drama Skills

Candidates will respond to a range of stimuli, whilst devising and developing their drama skills. They will develop characters and experiment with different forms, structures, genres to create and present dramas. They will also reflect on their own progress and that of other candidates.

Production Skills

Using script extracts as stimuli, candidates will explore and develop their knowledge of production skills such as costume, lighting, sound, props etc. They will use these production skills to develop ideas and apply their chosen production role within a small group performance to an audience.

National 4 Added Value Unit

Candidates will develop and apply the skills they have learned during the Course to create and present a scripted play to an audience.

National 5 Drama

As part of the National 5 Drama course, candidates will complete the Drama Skills and Production Skills units. In additional to this, candidates will complete a Practical Exam which is worth 60% of the overall course award as well as a Question paper (40%).

The practical exam consists of a small group performance of a scripted play. The candidate can be assessed in either an acting or a production role. The written exam/question paper has two sections which assess the candidate’s ability to evaluate their own work and the work of others. Additionally, candidates are asked to respond to stimuli and answer questions to demonstrate their subject knowledge.

Higher Drama

As part of the Higher Drama course, candidates will explore a live performance and a full published play through analysis and practical tasks. This work will prepare learners for the written exam (40% of the course award) In additional to this, candidates will rehearse two Higher level scenes from published plays and present these as part of the final practical exam (50% of the course award). Additionally, learners will undertake a preparation for performance essay where thoughts and ideas for the development of their scene work characters will be outlined (10% of the overall award).

The practical exam consists of two performances of scenes from scripted plays. For these exam pieces learners will work with one or two other scene partners. The candidate can be assessed in either an acting or a theatre production role though those wanting to undertake a production role must be highly motivated as they undertake a folio in preparation for practical presentation of their chosen role. The written exam/question paper has two sections which assess the candidate’s ability to analyse a published play as well as live performance.

NPA Acting and Performance (Level 6)

This level 6 qualification requires students to complete two mandatory units:

Professional Theatre in Context

During this unit candidates will complete outcomes focusing on different styles and genres of theatre. They will examine the roles and responsibilities of the production team when creating theatre productions and will be given the opportunity to watch different theatrical productions, which will be evaluated and analysed.

Theatre Skills in Performance

The candidates will complete outcomes which demonstrate their skill as an actor. Working together, candidates will present a 30 minute scripted play to an audience carrying out their role as an actor by learning lines, completing research, rehearsing etc.

Both these outcomes are internally assessed and awarded on a pass or fail basis.

Staff Biographies

Ms Bruce – Drama Teacher

Ms Bruce started her Drama training by completing an HND in Acting and Performance from Fife College. From there, she decided that she wanted to be a teacher and travelled to Cardiff to study a BA Hons Degree in Education with Secondary Drama as her specialism. As a youngster, Ms Bruce was a member of the local amateur dramatic companies and as an adult love nothing more than a night at the theatre.

Mr McPherson – Drama Teacher

Mr McPherson undertook HND Acting and Performance at Fife College before completing a BA Hons degree in Acting from the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. While working as an Actor Mr McPherson undertook creative projects working with ASD learners at London’s Brent Knoll School. Having enjoyed working with young people Mr McPherson undertook post graduate teaching qualification and has been teaching Drama ever since. As well as teaching Mr McPherson enjoys playing music as part of a local band and spending time with his family.