Physical Theatre & Othello – 6–10 Lesson Scheme Using Frantic Assembly (KS3 Drama)

This flexible and highly detailed Key Stage 3 Drama Scheme of Work introduces students to Physical Theatre using techniques from Frantic Assembly, while exploring powerful themes from Shakespeare’s Othello.

Ideal for Year 9 or high-attaining Year 8 classes, this scheme supports students to develop movement-based storytelling, ensemble work, and expressive physicality all while exploring themes of jealousy, power, trust, and manipulation.

What’s Included:

• Full 6-lesson scheme (expandable to 8-10 lessons with built-in extension opportunities)
• Two fully planned extension lessons
• One classroom-based cover lesson - ideal for non-specialists
• One home learning task
• Lesson-by-lesson PowerPoint slides – designed to reduce cognitive overload and support clarity
• Teacher notes with detailed task instructions – no guesswork required!
• Built-in assessment opportunities, with success criteria and sentence starters
• Tasks designed to promote metacognition – students revisit and refine before final assessment
• Focus on Frantic Assembly techniques: Chair Duets, Round-By-Through, Push/Pull, Hymn Hands and more.

Pedagogical Features:

• Carefully structured to build physical theatre skills, from ensemble trust to storytelling through movement
• Opportunities for revision and rehearsal before final performance assessment
• Embedded reflection tasks encourage students to think deeply about artistic intention and audience impact
• Designed with metacognitive strategies – students reflect on what, how, and why they perform each movement

Extend or Adapt With Ease:

This scheme can be taught over 6 weeks, or easily extended to 8–10 weeks by building in more rehearsal, reflection, or written elements. It’s ideal preparation for GCSE Drama without explicitly aligning with exam content helping students build confidence, creativity, and control on stage.