The Drama Department at Bethany has been going from strength to strength.  The Drama Studio can be found in the heart of the School, but far enough away from other classrooms to allow students to express themselves as boldly and loudly as they like!

The Drama Studio is well equipped with its own lighting rig, sound system and staging system.  This means that during lesson time students can experiment with all kinds of theatre tools.

Drama is taught to all year groups.  In Years 7 and 8 students are taught on a carousel basis and in Year 9 they have one lesson a week in order to prepare for GCSE.

Drama is a popular and successful GCSE option.  We follow the Edexcel syllabus for both GCSE and A level.  It largely focuses on improvisation and performance work and the study of set plays.  In recent years students at GCSE have achieved a 100% pass rate at grades A-C.  Theatre Studies A level is also a very successful option, again with a 100% pass rate at grades A-C.

Students studying GCSE and A level peform their examination work in the Drama Studio in front of an audience and these occasions are always well supported and received by our School community.

Every year in the Spring term we have a whole school production.  In 2007 this was "The Wizard of Oz".  The show was outstanding with sell-out performances and a record number of staff and pupils involved.

We end the school year with a Lower School production in the Summer Term which aims to provide students in Years 7 to 9 with an opportunity to shine.  In 2007 it was "The Wind in the Willows".  The feedback from parents and staff was very positive and we intend to repeat this winning formula this year.  All these productions take place in the Assembly Hall which offers great potential for different staging ideas.

There is always something happening in the Drama Department, whether it be shows and productions or one of our many theatre trips.  All students will visit the theatre during each academic year and those studying Drama at GCSE and A level will visit regularly.

Drama Scholarships are awarded to candidates who are able to show, in a workshop setting, an outstanding ability in areas such as devising, performing and evaluating.  We encourage all our scholars to take part in as much drama and theatre as they can, whether it is at Bethany or outside School.  All Drama scholars will be expected to study GCSE and A level Drama and to take part in all School productions.