I had an interesting chat with a fellow teacher the other who stated they thought that their subject (RMPS) was a curriculum for excllence, then I spoke to another teacher who felt their subject (English)  was also a curriculum for excellence. Then I went into Moray House to guest speak to the Drama students on the PGDE course about life since leaving Edinburgh Uni to find written in huge letters DRAMA IS A CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE! mmm…. so when i say they feel their subject is a CfE what I mean is that they feel they already teach the 4 main components of the the new way to approach education in Scotland (successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors)

It’s been interesting to read the way many teachers across Scotland are still unclear what this new curriculum will mean to them and the pupils they teach. The CfE will effect the new S1 pupils entering secondary school in session 2009/2010.

I have to agree that I do feel CfE is what we’ve been teaching in Drama since the subject was recognised in the 1960s. It is also interesting to note that not all schools across Scotland have Drama Departments and in most schools we are small departments (there are some schools who have big Drama Departments of 4 or more teachers - I know… hard to believe but it’s true!).

Drama enables the pupil to fulfil the four main outcomes of CfE and helps the pupil in skills for life long learning. All pupils must look at issues that affect them and the world in which they live in. They must use skills that will help them to a day to day basis as well as in the future, skills such as self-control, team work, confidence etc.  Most teachers will have to use various Drama techniques to meet the requirements of the outcomes; skills such as role play/team work/communication/perspective etc 

From this point of view my question is why is Drama still not fully recognised as a ‘proper’ subject. As a teacher, and I am sure I am not the only one there, I am constantly having to defend my subject on why it is not a ‘mikey mouse’ subject and why it is important all pupils should have Drama in their curriculum. I am luck at Knox that I have a supportive Head Teacher and my uptake from Drama is excellent however I still get bemused when teachers ask me ’so what do you actually do in Drama?’ do I ask that for those in Georgraphy, Chemistry, Maths, Business Management etc.

I do believe that a Curriculum for Excellence IS Drama and I would hope that councils throughout Scotland would try and secure departments, where they can, in schools to make sure that the young people of Scotland experience the most from their education.

So it’s been a couple of months since I last posted anything! It’s been all a go go here at Knox! So here is what has been keeping me busy and some educational thoughts on a couple of things.

Timetable

So my timetable has been pretty hectic and on minimum time isn’t easy but having great classes always helps. The new S1 have settled in really well and i’m really seeing this years S2 classes creating some amazing work. I find jumping from different mind set levels always interest and a monday is always interesting going from basic drama, to standard grade, to S2, to Higher, to acting technique!

Health and Safety

We’ve been having some interesting discussions lately about Health and Safety in Drama and had an excellent chat with Judith Wood (Health and Safety Officer for East Lothian). As our course at Knox is so practical we are always aware of how dangerous it could be if we don’t follow guidelines. So we’ve been working on getting a manual together for Health and Safety in Drama. Doing units like Stage Combat and Dance/Drama it can be quite easy to injure yourself, i’ve done it myself!

One thing that arose from our discussion and is an interesting debate is where do we stand in a PPP school? According to FES all our furniture should be bought new (what if we were doing a period play? Where do I get my set from?), The lighting is owned by the PPP so in theory we aren’t allowed to focus them (how does this work for a pupil doing Lighting for their SQA exam?).

The manual will hopefully be ready soon.

School Productions

So the Junior Production of TROJANS is underway and looking great! we have over 50 pupils from S1 - S3 involved onstage and about 10 involved backstage! It’s going to be good!

Sadly we didn’t get our uptake of boys to do THE CRUCIBLE so we are now working on a small studio piece that could be a bit controversial but will spark debate (we like a bit of controversry!), more about this later.

‘Across the Pond Theatre Company’

As some of you may have read, Knox Academy recieved the International Schools Award for a second year, well done! Part of this was due to the work we have been doing with our link school in America. Carol, our American teacher, has came up with a fantastic idea of a collusion project based on Martin Lurther King ‘I have a dream speech’. This will involve pupils from both schools creating work based around this text.

Expressive Arts Faculty Night

Knox had it’s first Expressive Arts faculty evening last week and it was a great success, well done everyone involved. Pupils showcased work in an informal setting. Work from P.E., Drama, Music and Art showed what talent we have here at Knox. Several Higher pupils showed a piece of work about teenagers and gangs. Using the ‘Home Office’ manual as a starting point it told the story of why young people get involved in gang crime. The second piece was from our S2 actors who created a very camp and over the top murder mystery called ‘The Butler Did it!’. Both were excellent. Well done.

Holocaust Memorial Day

This years theme is ‘Stand Up To Hatred’ and after last years success of our Holocaust Memorial week we have decided to continue what we had already started but this time we are wanting to involve the wider community in our work, with the ownership pf the project very much on the pupils. Teachers from various departments have met and the ball is now a rolling! Watch this space.

Goodbyes!

On the note of the Holocaust I would like to say a huge thank you and good bye Elaine who left Knox at summer to start a new life elsewhere. She was a great help during our planning for Holocaust Week and a great support to me when I first started.

I would also like to wish another collegue, A Wood, all the best as he leaves Knox to start a new post in the West. He has been great support and a great team mate during our Holocaust work and I hope he continues the hard work in his new school.

Higher Drama Performance

The Higher Drama pupils have been busy being dramaturgs, writers, directors and actors as they get ready to showcase their hard work for their first unit in the course. Unit One asks them to research, write and direct a play about an issue or topic they feel strongly about! Let’s just say it won’t be the most happy night but should be excellent to see their hard work on stage!

Standard Grade - Mary Poppins

Last night we went to see Mary Poppins at the Edinburgh Playhouse! We took both SG classes and what a treat! An amazing piece of theatre! Our pupils were awe struck at what they seen on stage! Stunning!

On that note I need to ’spit spot’ and have to dash just now but I want to discuss a Curriculum for Excellence - so when I am less busy i’ll be back!

JC x

P.s. How gutted am I that Legally Blonde has been cancelled on Broadway… NNNNNOOOOO!!!!!!