Supporting national curriculum Drama activities for primary schools with Arts Award Discover
Let drama take centre stage
Arts Award Discover allows students to gain a recognised award through their school drama opportunities – both inside and outside of the classroom. To deliver Discover, there’s no need for prior drama experience – and teachers don’t have to be confident drama deliverers themselves. We encourage collaboration with a local drama partner, and offer a selection of helpful resources.
The benefits of drama for children are far reaching, and include: processing thoughts and feelings; the development of group and teamwork skills; its accessibility and adaptability; and its ability to support learning about other subjects through the lens of the arts.
How does Arts Award Discover work with KS1 and KS2 Drama?
Drama is not limited to school productions, it can also take place as role play in the classroom when reading books or plays, or as part of physical games in PE – the possibilities are endless. Because there isn’t a set level that needs to be achieved for Discover and differentiated activities count, all children can take part and everyone can receive the same certificate.
You will probably find that you are using drama-related activities in your teaching already; so why not use these existing techniques to gain an award for students? Creative writing, reading, journalism, podcasting and blogging all count towards Arts Award Discover – this and can support the Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) literacy curriculum which cites creative writing, reading and poetry.
Running Discover through drama can also be linked to existing, national programmes available via groups such as the National Theatre, Shakespeare Schools Festival and British Film Institute.
'This has been brilliant for boosting their self-confidence, self-belief and resilience.'
Staff member involved in Brave Bold Drama's 'Discover in a Day' programme for schools
Primary drama KS1 and KS2 activities that work with Arts Award Discover
There are a range of drama activities that can be used to compliment the national KS1 and KS2 curriculum objectives for drama and gain Arts Award Discover, but here are just a few ideas as inspiration:
Combine it with a school performance.A class or year-group show – which showcases acting, singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and even prop and scenery making – all count towards Discover.
Local drama or trips to local theatres. Invite theatre groups to perform and run workshops with your young people, or take a theatre trip to gain real-life experience of drama – with help from grant schemes.
Use drama to explore cross-curricular topics.From Science to Geography, use drama to represent a country, process or historical event.
Explore different styles of drama.From Shakespeare to mime, and conventions from different cultures; use drama as a research project, then watch video clips and get students to try excerpts for themselves.
Explore emotions and feelings through drama. How do they feel when they become someone or something else, using their imagination? This can involve verbal sharing and reflecting afterwards.
Research famous authors, actors and directors. Look at their training and lives to learn about drama from a careers perspective. This could tie in with a visit to local museums, archives and historic places.
The record of learning. A requirement for Arts Award this might be captured through drama, instead of creating a written or spoken analysis.
