Drama
Mrs J Collins is the Head of Drama at Cranmore School. During the past seven years we have tried to broaden the scope of drama within the school by offering the opportunity for all boys to take part in Drama Festivals as well as examinations in Speech and Drama through the Trinity Guildhall College examination service and in public speaking and communication skills through the English Speaking Board International.
There are many avenues that drama can take. Most people do not aspire to become professional performers but society and the work environment places a high value on skilled and clear presentation. Many of the boys from Cranmore school will hold leadership positions in business and need to learn the public speaking and debating skills that they will later use in the board room. They also need to learn how to prepare well and present themselves at interview. At Cranmore we feel it is never too early to hone the communication skills necessary. Through Drama we can learn these communication skills in a variety of ways. Through performance training with the Trinity Guildhall College or Public Speaking and Debating with the English Speaking Board International. At Cranmore we offer every boy the opportunity to study both syllabuses along with the opportunity to perform in one the areas leading Music and Drama Festivals at Woking. Some of the boys enjoy the performance side so much that they may one day tread the boards either professionally or in amateur production as a creative and enjoyable hobby.
Class Lessons.
Class drama lessons are timetabled throughout Year 2, Year 3 and Year. During these Drama lessons we cover various disciplines. There is not a set curriculum course for Key stages 1 or 2. We therefore cover sections of the Key stage 3 syllabus that are suitable for these year groups. This includes mime, improvisation, choral work and the devising of small plays. We also take scenes from popular children's plays and rehearse and perform them during lesson time.
During the Summer term we follow the English Speaking Board International syllabus for grades 1 during the 2nd year, grade 2 during the 3rd year and grade 3 during the 4th year. This syllabus is set to encourage public speaking and communication skills and all grades are QCA accredited. The candidates are asked to prepare and deliver a talk on a subject of their own choice, using visual aids. They are also asked to perform a poem, prose or acting piece of their own choice and to read a short passage from sight. The examination is taken in groups of 7 to encourage debate and discussion within the group. The candidates are also marked on their question and answer skills. English Speaking Board International examiners conduct the examinations during school hours during the second half of the Summer Term. All candidates receive a report sheet and successful candidates receive a graded certificate. To date Cranmore has a 100% success rates with a large percentage of the candidates gaining a ‘Distinction’.English Speaking Board Examination Syllabus 2007.
Grade 1. (year 2)
Section 1. Show and Tell. Bring a favourite object, model or game and explain how it is made or used, so that the listeners can understand and share your enthusiasm.
Section 2. Own Choice poetry. Memorise and speak a poem, tell a story or perform a short extract from a play.
Section 3. Reading aloud. Read a prepared passage of about 100 - 150 words. Introduce the book and tell the listeners why you have enjoyed it.
Section 4. Listening and responding. Be prepared to answer questions from the examiner and the group on your talk. Listen carefully to the others and contribute when appropriate.
Grade 2. (year 3)
Section 1. Show and Explain. Bring an object, picture or piece of equipment. Talk about it and explain to your listeners how it is made or used. Tell them what makes it important to you.
Section 2. Own Choice poetry. Introduce and present a memorised poem, story or drama.
Section 3. Reading Aloud. Prepare 4-5 pages from a book you have read and enjoyed. The examiner will choose an extract from this for you to read aloud. Introduce your reading, telling your listeners which character you would most like to meet and why.
Section 4. Listening and responding. Be prepared to answer questions from the examiner and the listening group on the subject of your talk and, if required, on the book you have chosen. Listen carefully to the others in the group and join in discussion as appropriate.
Grade 3. (year 4)
Section 1. Explaining How. In a clearly shaped talk, tell your listeners how you (or someone you admire) achieved, made, grew or discovered something which excited your interest. Bring any visual material eg. objects, maps, equipment etc. to support you talk.
Section 2. Own Choice poetry. Memorise and present a choice of poem, story or selection from a play. Introduce your choice to the audience, indicating the reasons for your selection. (30 Seconds allowed for introduction)
Section 3. Reading Aloud. From a book you have enjoyed, prepare 6-12 pages for reading aloud. The examiner will select an extract from these pages for you to present. Introduce your reading briefly, placing the chosen passage in the context of the story.
Section 4. Listening and Responding. Be prepared to answer questions from the examiner and the listeners on the subject of your talk and, if required, your chosen book and memorised piece.
English Speaking Board Club.
For those boys in the 5th and 6th years I run an English Speaking Board Club. Through this club all boys who do not have a timetabled drama lesson have the opportunity to continue with their E.S.B examinations. By the time they reach the 6th year they are starting on the senior grades, provide the basis for GCSE and 'A' level public speaking examinations.
English Speaking Board International syllabus 2007.
Grade 4. (year 5)
Section 1. Oral Presentation. Research and explain a topic of personal interest. Demonstration should be integrated into you presentation where possible. Use diagrams, maps, pictures or other visual material, or sound, which will strengthen your presentation. Try to use a subject from an out of school occupation.
Section 2. Own Choice of poetry. Present a memorised poem, story, or selection from a published play of you own choice. Introduce your presentation, explaining briefly why you chose the piece.
Section 3. Reading aloud. Bring a book you have enjoyed and prepare 12-15 pages for reading aloud. From this the examiner will select an extract for you to present. Introduce your reading in a way that would persuade your listeners to read the book.
Section4. Listening and responding. Be prepared to answer questions from the examiner and the listening group on the subject of your talk and, if required, on your book and memorised piece. Listen carefully to others, and contribute to the discussion when appropriate.
Senior Grade 1. (year 6)
Section 1. Prepared Talk. Prepare a talk on any subject or activity, showing how you have extended your knowledge through research and/or inquiries. Relevant visual and/or audio material should be incorporated into your presentation.
Section 2. Own choice of poetry. Present a memorised speaking of a poem or prose extract. Introduce your piece in context, explaining persuasively why you have chosen it.
Section 3. Reading to your listeners. Bring your own choice of book, which you have read and from which you have prepared 12-15 pages. The examiner will select an extract for you read aloud. Precede your reading with an introduction, placing the passage in context.
Section 4. Open exchange of ideas. Be prepared to answer questions from the examiner and the listening group on the subject of your talk, also, if required, on your book and memorised section. Listen carefully to others and contribute positively to group discussion.Drama Club.
Cranmore has a thriving Drama Club with a membership of 50 boys. The club runs for one hour each week during the Winter and Easter terms and for a hour and a half during the Summer term. During this time we cover all aspects of Drama from acting, dancing and theatre skills to costume, make-up and stage lighting and stage scenery design. At the end of the academic year we produce a school play in conjunction with the music department. A fun and exciting time is enjoyed by everyone. Last years production of ‘The Jungle Book’ was a great success. Click on Jungle Book Pictures to see some of the photographs and video clips.
Extract from school magazine 2006.
‘This year again began well with all of the last year's Drama Club members returning, they were joined by a number of new members from all year groups. Drama Club is open to all members of the senior school and provides the opportunity for members to experience all aspects of drama in an informal atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming even more boys in September.
The senior production this year was 'The Jungle Book', a play adapted by John Hartoch from stories by Rudyard Kipling. The rehearsals started in earnest at the beginning of the Summer Term with an intensive rehearsal week during the penultimate week of term. This culminated in three faultless performances. This production remained faithful to the original Kipling stories and although incorporated some difficult text the boys more than rose to the challenge.
A cast of over 90 boys from 2nd year through to 6th year took part. The Chamber Choir, led by Miss Fourie, and orchestra led by Head of Music Mr Harris joined the cast of 42 boys from Drama Club to complete the production. The Drama and Music departments rehearsed separately, joining together for a week of intense rehearsals before the final performances. The Art department and 'Art Club' led by head of Art Mrs Parker produced some magical scenery and stage properties. This year we were again able to invite five members of the 5th and 6th years to join the Information Technology department, led by Mr Sodhy, in the lighting box. Together they produced some spectacular special effects. This production was far more challenging than previous productions but as usual Cranmore rose to the challenge with spectacular effect. All members of the cast worked together with enthusiasm, dedication and team spirit. The overall effect was both professional and entertaining. Well done to everyone involved.’
Private Speech and Drama Lessons.
Private Speech and Drama lessons are offered to all boys in the senior half of the school, year 2 and above. These lessons are taught in small groups and take place at non-academic times using the facilities available in the Music School.
All boys are offered the opportunity to perform at The Woking Speech and Drama Festival, this takes place during the Autumn term. The venue of the Rhoda McGaw Theatre in Woking provides the competitors with an opportunity to perform before an audience in a public theatre. The confidence gained by such an experience is immeasurable.
Throughout the private Speech and Drama lessons we follow the syllabus set by Trinity Guildhall College, all grades are QCA accredited and examined by Trinity Guildhall examiners. The examinations contain elements of both performance and theory. The lessons are taught to promote excellence in speaking aloud and to encourage confidence. Enjoyment is paramount within the guidelines taught to promote the various skills required. These examinations take place at Cranmore School during the second half of the Easter Term. All candidates completing the examination receive a graded report sheet and successful candidates receive a graded certificate. To date we have a 100% success rate with many boys gaining a Distinction.
Learning by heart is positively encouraged and is necessary for examinations and public performances. Interview techniques are practised during classes. There are opportunities for boys to perform in Assembly and at the various Music Concerts that take place throughout the year. Boys have the opportunity to prepare for Drama scholarships or ‘All Rounder’ scholarships which include Drama through private Speech and Drama lessons.
Year 2
Correct standing position for performing.
Introduction to the speaking of verse.
Introduction to speaking of Prose.
Introduction to reading a script.
Introduction to simple prepared mime.
Observation of punctuation in verse and prose.
Gentle correction of speech faults – ie ‘v’ instead of ‘th’.
Tongue twisters.
Grade 1 Trinity Guildhall examination in Speech and Drama.
- Perform from memory a prose passage.
- Perform from memory a poem.
- A performance a simple prepared mime.
- Hold a conversation with the examiner about the prepared pieces.
Year 3
Continuing with and building on the techniques attained in year 2.
Rules for sight reading prose and verse.
Eye lines in performance.
Breathing for performance.
Introduction of solo acting pieces.
Building on the art of mime.
Grade 2 Trinity Guilhall Speech and Drama examination.
- Perform from memory a prose passage or play extract.
- Perform from memory a poem
- Perform a simple prepared mime.
- Sight reading chosen by the examiner form the candidate’s own book.
- Hold a conversation with the examiner on the prepared pieces.
Year 4
Continuing with and building on all previous techniques.
Methods of use and understanding of pause and emphasis.
Develope improvisation techniques.
Introduction to the timing of speaking humorous verse.
Stage techniques.
Audience awareness.
Grade 3 Trinity Guildhall Speech and Drama examination.
- Perform from memory a prose passage or play extract.
- Perform from memory a poem.
- Sight reading chosen by the examiner from the candidate’s own book.
- Perform an improvisation arising from one of the prepared pieces. The subject will be given by the examiner.
- Discussion with the examiner: during the course of the examination the candidate will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of the chosen pieces and the use of pausing and emphasis in the work presented.
- Perform from memory a prose passage or a play extract.
- Perform from memory a poem.
- A prose sight reading provided by the examiner.
- An improvisation arising from one of the prepared pieces. The subject will be given by the examiner.
- A discussion with the examiner: the candidate will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of the prepared pieces, and their context where appropriate. Also the candidate will be asked how phrasing and pace contributed to the performance of the work presented.
- Perform from memory a prose passage or an extract from a play.
- Perform from memory a poem.
- A prose sight reading provided by the examiner.
- Perform an improvisation arising from one of the chosen pieces. The subject will be given by the examiner.
- A discussion with the examiner: during the course of the examination the candidate will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of the prepared pieces and their context where necessary. Also the candidate will be asked to show how inflection and intonation contributed to the work presented.
Year 5
Continuing with and building on all previous techniques.
Methods of use and understanding of Phrasing and Pace.
Narrative verse speaking.
Prose speaking with dialogue.
Prepared improvisation.
Characterisation.
Grade 4 Trinity Guildhall Speech and Drama examination.
Year 6
Continuing with and building on all previous techniques.
Methods of use and understanding of \inflection and Intonation.
Acting in colloquial style.
Steps needed to achieve believable style of acting.
Speaking of lyrical poetry.
Speaking of narrative prose.
Grade 5 Trinity Guildhall Speech and Drama examination.
Conclusion.
Drama is an all round activity with something for everyone. Even for those who do not aspire to the stage the confidence they gain through public performance is undoubtedly very important. Learning to speak well in public is one more skill with which Cranmore boys can become armed in order to compete upon the world stage. To have the confidence to communicate ideas clearly and positively must be something we all aspire to. What better medium through which to develop these skills, while still having fun, than to study Drama.

