KS4 Specification - AQA
The Drama department consists of three staff all of whom are subject specialists with a range of experience in theatre, television and education. In Key Stage 3 students have one lesson of Drama per week. Key Stage 3 focuses on developing specific skills that are useful to the lifelong learner such as confidence building, communication and teamwork, plus we aim to inspire and engage students in a passion and interest in performance arts - from acting to design.
GCSE Drama is a diverse and exciting course. Students comment that they feel challenged yet supported in lessons and they are encouraged to experiment with their ideas and creativity. The department strongly believe that all students can succeed in Drama and staff ensure lessons are targeted to meet the specific needs and interests of all.
A-level Theatre Studies offers students the chance to develop specific interests in performance including acting, design and directing. The course encourages students to consider the value of the arts in society and for them to consider literature, history, politics and psychology in an understanding of the importance of theatre today. Many students continue to study Theatre at university and have had success in a range of fields.
The department has two black box studio spaces, professional lighting rig and sound system. In addition, we also have the use of the School Hall with proscenium arch stage, digital projection and computerised sound system. Each year the department offers students the chance to be involved in a production and performers develop skills and an understanding of a range of theatrical styles. The department offers numerous opportunities for students to visit the theatre both locally and nationally. We have annual residential visits to London and have recently taken shows to the Edinburgh Festival receiving five star reviews.
It is a vibrant, forward thinking department where students and staff enjoy developing their learning together.
examination results
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-7
of GCSE students achieved grades 9-4
What we’ve been up to…
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Trial Expedition 2023
86 WKGS students spent the weekend in Wales completing their trial expedition for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. With such beautiful weather a good time was had by all learning essential skills for survival in the open air!
Spanish Exchange
The Spanish Department resumed 2019’s successful student exchange with our partner secondary school, IES Garcilaso de la Vega a mixed secondary school located in Torrelavega, a town in Cantabria in northern Spain: The Spanish Exchange presents students with a unique opportunity to improve their spoken Spanish and see Spanish daily life at first hand. Students from Calday Grammar School collaborated with us and students were accompanied by teaching staff from West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School. The Spanish students hosted their English partners and a programme of events was organised during the school day for the visiting students. The students visited Santander, experienced a day at the Altamira Museum, an exact replica of the Altamira Caves with Palaeolithic cave paintings. They took part in a workshop in which they learned how to make and throw spears to hunt deer and bison. This was followed by a visit to Santillana del Mar. During their visit they also visited El Soplao, a site of great geographical importance, and the beautiful Santillana del Mar and the Parque Naturaleza de Carbaceno.
Year 12 North West Regional Forum European Youth Parliament at L
The North West European Forum 2023 is one of the fourteen regional EYP forums which take place in the UK, with many more taking place in other countries. There were a number of debates throughout the day. The forum gave students an opportunity to debate a range of topics affecting young people across Europe. Two schools were selected at this regional forum and to also send a team of eight students over the age of sixteen to either the Summer or Autumn National Selection Conference, held at Liverpool Hope University for a long weekend in July 2023. Big well done to both of our EYP teams who performed at a consistently high standard throughout the debates. Special congratulations to our 2nd team who made it through to the national finals in July!
With one more week to go, we are really looking forward to our first #WKGS PTA Quiz / Fish & Chips Night. Tickets are still available from: ticketsource.co.uk/west-kirby-gra… https://t.co/bsxLFRr7Ko
We are very proud of Mia, Grace, Peggy and Hannah (#WKGSY12) who have made the finals of the Samsung 'Solve for Tomorrow' competition. They have made the last 5 in their age group. We wish them the best of luck for their final pitch which takes place next month. https://t.co/LIrkB9eLik
A photo stop on the Great Wall of China, July 2015 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/Wp4YLzTHlA
We are delighted to announce the release of the second episode of our WKGS Student Podcast. Episode 2 will be live on Friday 28th April and will feature local artist (and former #WKGS student) Michael Aldag. Subscribe to our Student Podcast now at: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ogLOQbBw7yb https://t.co/u2O0Brp90O
Congratulations to Mia (#WKGSY12) and her horse MS Mastro who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage at Kelsall Hill. Mia won her Novice class and has qualified for the National Championships at Hickstead in May. We wish Mia every success. https://t.co/r3ADJ8ZnP4
A walk to Hilbre Island with German Exchange partners (around 1994) for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/dYjHAwt6TU
It's back to 2018 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday for a Student Fashion Show.... https://t.co/uiNwudPObr
We are now at the Louvre! #louvre #Paris #dramatrip @WestKirbyGS @WKGS_Theatre https://t.co/yA9BxllmW3
The Palais Garnier is very beautiful 😍 #palaisgarnier #Paris #dramatrip @WestKirbyGS @WKGS_Theatre https://t.co/Pa4GcCitDX
Drama visit to Paris
Students from our GCSE Drama group visited Paris to see a theatre production and take part in a Drama workshop. They also had the fantastic opportunity to experience a guided backstage tour of the Opera Garnier, the inspiration for Phantom of the Oprea. The visit included a guided tour of Paris exploring the sights and shops; they saw a production of the Lion King – The Musical at Théâtre Mogador and enjoyed a day in Disneyland Paris.
Tonight's entertainment! #thelionking #leroilion #Disney #Paris #dramatrip @WestKirbyGS @WKGS_Theatre https://t.co/pvfoKqVcd2
We loved the Eiffel Tower! #Paris #EiffelTower #trip @WestKirbyGS https://t.co/1jvzmlIiUD