This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Drama
Drama at Haileybury offers an exceptional opportunity for self-expression, communication and reflection.
Why study drama at Haileybury?
Haileybury encourages pupils to immerse themselves in the creative arts, which are at the heart of school life.
“Pupils enjoy the many opportunities available in the performing arts with several achieving national awards.”
ISI Inspection Report 2022
In addition to acting, pupils of all ages are able to develop a range of skills such as theatre work, prop making, film-making, lighting and sound.
Pupils also benefit from an on-site theatre for in-school productions, the Aykbourn Theatre, named after Legendary British playwright, director and Old Haileyburian, Sir Alan Aykbourn.
Academic pathways
Removes pupils have the option to choose a performance drama pathway to complement their core curriculum. The performance drama pathway is designed to give pupils a great understanding of the skills required in stage and screen performance.
Drama is also offered as GCSE and A level courses.
At GCSE, Haileybury follows the Eduqas specification. After a comprehensive programme of study over the first two terms, pupils will research a drama practitioner or theatre style and work collaboratively to produce and realise a piece of original theatre.
They will then rehearse and perform an extract from a published play text to a visiting examiner in the component two exam. Finally, pupils will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of drama, including their ability to interpret a set text from the perspective of actor, director and designer, as well as their capacity to analyse and evaluate live theatre in a written examination. Pupils will see a minimum of three pieces of professional live theatre across the course.
At A level, Haileybury follows the OCR specification, assessed in four components designed to develop and inspire pupils as the theatre-makers, designers, directors and producers of the future.
The course nurtures an understanding of the arts, preparing pupils to study a broad range of subjects. Many go on to drama and theatre degrees or to drama school. Skills developed in drama are transferable and in the past, our pupils have been able to apply them to the study of humanities subjects, literature, law, sociology, psychology, and education. It is a challenging and fulfilling academic and practical subject combining the study of five set texts, a range of theatre practitioners, theatre history, theory of staging and semiotics, and exam and essay-writing techniques. Pupils studying A level will attend several live theatre visits each year of the course.
Beyond the curriculum
Outside the classroom, each year there are four spectacular co-curricular drama performances, a house drama competition and annual Arts Week, as well as a range of clubs and technical workshops to enhance pupils’ passion on or behind the stage.
Our recent major school productions include Frankenstein, Romeo & Juliet, Burial at Thebes, Macbeth, Matilda, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miserables and Chicago.
Pupils also have the opportunity to take LAMDA lessons, working with an excellent team of tutors through Exam Stars at Haileybury, who provide first-class tuition on a solo, paired or group basis. Pupils can participate in Acting, Improvisation, Public Speaking and Shakespeare examinations.