The Drama curriculum at Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams empowers students to transform from novices within the discipline to subject experts. It is centred on the PACE principles, which are the cornerstones of the curriculum. 

Students are encouraged to take pride and personal ownership in their artistic work. We empower learners to take pride in their individual contributions and performances, acknowledging the courage it takes to present to others. By presenting their work through regular classroom showcases, our students build their self-worth and confidence. Simultaneously, students develop collective pride through their ensemble work, learning to value the shared creative process and understanding that drama is only successful when a company works with each other. 

The curriculum is ambitious, deliberately going beyond what is expected from the National Curriculum to challenge our students as performers. Students will understand key dramatic techniques, consider the different elements of performance, tackle the ideas of drama practitioners such as Brecht and Stanislavski and look beyond the actor to the different roles within a theatre company. By having such ambition, we will ensure that students finish their time studying Drama at Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams as masters of the craft. 

The subject is built upon having an inclusive and caring environment. We explicitly cultivate a culture of mutual respect and trust, allowing students to confidently take creative and emotional risks. Students will actively participate in practical lessons, receive constructive feedback from both their teachers and peers, and will have the opportunity to use said feedback to develop and grow as performers. The curriculum also allows students to care about the world around them, with students being provided with a range of stimuli for performance which will deal with global issues and ask them to reflect and question the world around them. 

Excellence is built into all areas of the Drama curriculum. We expose students to high-quality performances and advanced concepts to demonstrate to them what is artistically possible. We embed academic oracy throughout the subject, with students being given ample opportunities to incorporate tier-three vocabulary within their written work. Excellence is also seen through students’ practical work, with students being able to rehearse, develop and perfect their performances. 

Alongside the subject-specific knowledge and skills developed, students will also develop transferable skills. From collaborating with others, creativity, problem-solving, and being intellectually curious about the world around them, the Drama curriculum at Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams will provide students with the knowledge and skills to flourish in any future endeavours.