Drama and Theatre Studies for IB students
Drama and theatre studies provide a creative outlet as well as a practical range of studies. Students at both standard and higher level will be involved in performance, production and critical studies.

Students will work to develop and exhibit a broad range of performance-based skills and will participate in two major performances. For one, students will be part of a large ensemble, for the other they will work in small groups where their work will be self-directed. These activities reinforce and strengthen the performance skills they have learnt and provide good opportunities for working as part of a team, taking on organisational roles and developing the ability to offer constructive criticism within their groups. In addition to performance, students will also learn about theatre production.

To stimulate and encourage critical thinking, students will explore two works from world theatre, “Our country’s good” by Timberlake Wertenbaker and “Can’t pay, won’t pay” by Dario Fo, both renowned international playwrights. This work will bring students to a point of appreciation of theatrical work, which will then allow them to consider the work as a whole and to respond in a critical way to what they have seen and learnt. In addition to this, students will attend live theatre performances and will subsequently be required to evaluate what they have seen. These productive activities hone students’ observational and analytical skills as well as demanding that they form considered arguments to support their views - skills that will stand them in good stead throughout life.

Students taking drama and theatre studies at the higher level will add to the above by undertaking a research and evaluation project of their own choosing.

Assessment
Standard and higher level subjects are both studied throughout years 12 and 13. There are no examinations in Year 12 as all IB examinations take place in May of Year 13. In addition to the examinations you must complete a CAS journal, the theory of knowledge component and an extended essay. Each subject studied carries seven points and final grades are awarded according to a points system. The maximum mark is 45 points, made up of a potential seven points for each of the six subjects, plus three points that are available for the theory of knowledge and extended essay components.

Enrichment activities
Our IB drama students become actively involved in all manner of school productions as well as having the opportunity to perform outside of school by participating in various festival based events. We, and our students, work closely with the Raw Talent Theatre Company who help to run our department theatre company and to teach younger pupils, this gives IB students the opportunity to observe and work with a professional theatre company.

Beyond the sixth form
Many students will go on to study drama, theatre or dance at university, or drama school, which can lead to employment in theatre, television and broadcasting. Whichever route a student takes this course will have helped develop their communication and presentation skills, as well as increasing their confidence.