Drama

Pupils in year have a lesson a week during which they are introduced to Drama skills and a toolkit of techniques and approaches for creating their own performances. They explore the varying roles in theatre from actor to designer and technician. This establishes a foundation of skills and techniques on which to draw from as they begin to create and evaluate their own work. Pupils learn how an actor prepares for a role, experimenting with different character types and performance styles, as well as learning the skills of a designer by creating their own set, costume, sound and lighting designs. Pupils begin to build knowledge of subject specific vocabulary giving them a shared language when creating their own work and evaluating performances. They are given the opportunity to work independently within a given framework to encourage good studio practice, as well as developing key teamwork skills through group work. Pupils’ freedom of expression will be encouraged as well as positive critical appreciation of their own strengths and weaknesses as a student of drama. Furthermore, they will also develop the ability to recognise what makes an effective piece of theatre for an audience. At the end of the year they will put the skills learned into dramatic practice as they create their own production  for a live audience.

Exam board: AQA

GCSE Drama is a lively and creative course designed to balance the practical and academic study of Drama. Pupils work together to understand and experience for themselves the roles and responsibilities of a theatre company. Working as part of a creative team of actors, directors, designers and technicians, pupils build confidence and develop skills in communication, cooperation and performance. The course enables pupils to work imaginatively, developing their understanding of how to create thought-provoking and well-made theatre, and performing play texts to a live audience. In addition to acting and directing, pupils will be encouraged to consider a range of design and technical skills including stage lighting, sound design, set design, stage management, make-up, costume and puppet design.

The course is an excellent preparation for BTEC Performing Arts or IB Theatre, which we offer in the Sixth Form, and provides an excellent foundation in creative, practical performance and production skills. With the focus on working imaginatively, collaborating creatively and communicating effectively, GCSE Drama provides a solid foundation for further studies in Drama and Theatre with a skills set that opens up many vocational opportunities.

The course is divided into three components, which includes the study of a set text, audience experience of live theatre, devising original work and scripted performance.

Component 1: Understanding Drama Written Exam, 1 hour 45 minutes, 40%

The written exam is a response to:

Set Text Study – exploring a set play text as actor, director, designer and technician. This requires pupils to understand the challenges of, and communicate their own ideas for, staging a play as a member of a production company.

Live Theatre – pupils watch and respond to the work of others, writing analytical responses to live theatre as a member of the audience.

Component 2: Devising Drama Devising Log & Devised Performance, 40%

Pupils explore a range of theatre skills including acting, set and costume, lighting and sound design. Working in small groups they specialise to produce an original piece of theatre from a given starting point, recording the process in a Devising Log.

Component 3: Texts in Practice. Performance (2 extracts) to examiner, 20%

In Year 11, pupils work on a play text of their choice and specialise as: an actor, set, costume, lighting or sound designer to present a polished performance to an external examiner.

Entry requirements: There are no specific requirements for this course, though GCSE Drama is a useful starting point. In the absence of Drama qualifications, we would expect pupils to have some performance experience and extracurricular engagement within the Performing Arts. This is a practical course which requires a professional attitude and a commitment to get actively involved.

Pupils completing their BTEC in Performing Arts will be aiming to go on to employment in the industry or related industries, often via the stepping stone of Drama and Theatre at university, or Performing Arts/Dance/Drama School, becoming a member of a Theatre/Performing Arts group, dancer/director in film, television or media, Drama teacher or workshop facilitator.

The course covers a mix of Mandatory and Specialist Units to give you a strong foundation and to allow for a pupil’s personal interest and skills to develop their personal pathway.

Certificate equivalent one A Level

Certificate: 6 Units, 4 Mandatory Units, 2 External

Mandatory content (83%)
External assessment (58%)

1. Investigating Practitioners’ Work
2. Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
3. Group Performance Workshop

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma equivalent two A Levels

Diploma: 8 Units, 6 Mandatory, Units 3 External

Mandatory content (83%)
External assessment (46%)

1. Investigating Practitioners’ Work
2. Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
3. Group Performance Workshop
4. Performing Arts in the Community
5. Individual Performance Commission
6. Final Live Performance to an Audience

The Specialist Units offered will reflect the skills and interests of the cohort but options include:

Unit 18: Interpreting Classical Text for Performance
Unit 19: Acting Styles
Unit 20: Developing the Voice for Performance
Unit 21: Improvisation
Unit 22: Movement in Performance
Unit 27: Musical Theatre Techniques
Unit 28: Variety Performance

There are three main forms of assessment: external, internal and synoptic.

Externally assessed units:

• Examinations – all pupils take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written outcome.
• Set tasks – pupils take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.

Internally assessed units:

• Write up the findings of their own research.
• Use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations.
• Deliver presentations.
• Construct portfolios to demonstrate practical skills.