The Drama curriculum is designed to be a blending of academic rigour alongside the development and application of skills. In Drama, we aim to help students understand the world around them and to empathise with characters in a range of situations promoting a love and understanding of people who are different than ourselves. We will develop students’ self-confidence, leadership, communication and oracy, time management, organisation, creativity, self-control, and co-operation.  The vocal and physical skills acquired in Drama train our students to have faith and assurance in themselves to confidently present in front of others. This is not only needed to flourish in our subject but in the wider school curriculum and in all aspects of life especially future employment.

Students will be given the opportunity to hone their practical skills, knowledge and understanding through the academic exploration of theatrical texts from Greek tragedy, to Shakespeare and various modern classics. They will also explore issues from the wider world using a variety of stimuli from current affairs to music and artworks. Methodologies of a range of theatrical practitioners such as Stanislavski and Brecht are introduced throughout the key stages to help shape their individual ideas with a greater understanding of the need of style, intention and theatrical form.

We are passionate about enriching our curriculum with extracurricular activities introducing students to as many artistic and cultural experiences as possible. These include drama clubs, putting on plays and performing in professional venues, residential trips to London, various theatre trips and participation in Arts Award, which complement the curriculum in its fullest sense.

GCSE Edexcel Drama

ASSESSMENT

The course has two internally assessed components,
and one written exam
Component 1: Devising (40%).
There are two parts to the assessment: 1. Portfolio and
2. Devised performance / design realisation
Component 2: Component 2: Performance from Text
(20%)
Students will perform or design for two key extracts
Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (40%)
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes. Practical
exploration of a performance text and live theatre
evaluation

COURSE CONTENT

During Component 1 there are three areas of focus:
1. Creating and developing a devised piece from
stimuli.
2. Group performance/design realisation of the
devised piece.
3. Analysing and evaluating the creative process and
group devised performance.
Students may complete this component either as a
performer or designer. The design roles are:
• costume design
• lighting design
• set design
• sound design
During Component 2, there are two areas of focus:
1. Interpreting and exploring two key extracts from a
chosen performance text.
2. Performing or realising a design of two key extracts
from this text.
Students may complete this component as a performer
or designer or as a combination of both.
During Component 3 there are two areas of focus:
1. Study of one complete performance text. Students
will explore and study one text and then give both
short and extended responses to questions based on
an unseen extract from the chosen text.
2. A live theatre evaluation where students learn to
analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they
have seen and answer two question in the written
exam it.

WHAT NEXT?

A Drama qualification will indicate to any employer
that you can work as part of a team, have initiative
and good communication skills. For a wide range of
career opportunities, you may be asked to make a
‘presentation’ during your interview and a qualification
in Drama can help you in performing with confidence,
clarity and engagement. Drama is recognised and
encouraged by universities when making applications.
This course is useful for anyone intending to pursue
a career working with people and essential if you are
considering a career in theatre, TV, film or media.

Resources

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Drama

GCSE_Drama_overview.pdf

BBC Bitesize – Drama

Careers Links

Drama is considered a desirable qualification by many universities as it can help build confidence and provide other transferable skills that can be applied to a vast range of different career paths. Click here for examples of some of the employability skills Drama can provide.