Drama is integrated into the curriculum in the Primary School Through role play, story telling and play making, children explore study topics in a ‘live’ environment, develop creativity and imagination and practise the social and verbal skills needed for adult life. All students are involved in public performances at various times throughout the year and each year group produces a major musical production for the community.

In the Secondary School, students learn about the art of drama, its history and practice around the world. Students also learn how to manipulate the art form for themselves, creating original drama and exploring play scripts, as well as using drama techniques to explore a variety of issues and topics. Drama allows students to explore the world around them in a safe environment. It encourages the development of a combination of intellectual, imaginative and practical skills, as well as helping young people learn to work both collaboratively and independently.

All students in Key Stage Three study Drama once a week. Over the course of the three years, all students will have the opportunity to experience theatre arts and crafts, scripted performance, improvisation, ensemble techniques, and performing for audiences. They will explore issues pertinent to them as well as theatre from around the world. The course is structured in a spiral model, which means that the same skills are revisited in more depth as the course progresses.

Students may opt for GCSE Drama, which is a popular course. Students again use a variety of drama techniques and conventions to explore issues and play texts. They are assessed on their practical work in class as well as on their written evaluations of their work. Students are also assessed on a final performance, based either on their acting or their contribution to a technical element of the performance such as lighting or sound.

Theatre Arts is an increasingly popular option for IB students. Given the spiral nature of the curriculum model, although previous experience is useful, it is not necessary, and students can come to IB Theatre Arts without previous experience. Students undertake ensemble work, explore and perform scripts from around the world, learn the skills of directing and producing theatre and polish their critical and analytical skills.

All students at Patana are encouraged to attend ISTA festivals whenever possible. The International Schools Theatre Association runs festivals around the world for middle, high school and IB students. Students have previously attended ISTA festivals in Beijing, Pattaya, Shanghai and here at Patana.

Students are encouraged to attend professional and amateur theatre performances as often as possible in order to broaden their experiences of theatre forms as well as develop their critical and analytical skills. At GCSE and IB level such visits are an important part of coursework requirements. Parents and friends are encouraged to come along as well!

The Secondary Drama department runs a variety of extra-curricular activities, ranging from musical productions to classical dramas. All students are encouraged to participate, and all abilities and experience levels are catered for within the programme.