Drama

GCSE Drama

Subject leader: Mrs Holly Whitmore

Email address: hwhitmore@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: AQA

Course specification: [Click here]

Course Description:

GCSE Drama is an exciting, practical and academic course, which develops creativity, presentation, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Students will work in groups to create practical performances of both devised and scripted work as well as developing a theatre director’s eye when approaching texts. Students can complete practical work as an actor, a designer or a mixture of the two.

Please note that GCSE Drama cannot be taken alongside either BTEC Performing Arts or BTEC Dance.
Students wishing to take GCSE Drama alongside either BTEC will be considered on a case by case basis.

Course Units

Component 1: Understanding Drama

Students will practically study a set text (Blood Brothers) to prepare them for the written exam which asks them to focus on how they would perform, direct and design the play. Students will also be taken to see a number of live theatre productions over the three years and will evaluate one of these in the exam.

Component 2: Devising

Working in groups, students create, develop and perform a piece of devised theatre. They are marked on their performance as an actor or designer as well as a portfolio where they analyse and evaluate their own work.

Component 3: Scripted Performance

Students will work as an actor or designer for a performance of two extracts from a scripted play. This is performed to a visiting examiner in year 11.

Assessment:

Component 1: (40%) Completed in Year 11, this is a written exam and marked externally.
Component 2: (40%) Practical exploration of a theme, leading to a devised group performance. Written
portfolio alongside it. Students can also be assessed as designers. Completed in year 10.
Component 3: (20%) Practical performance of two scripted extracts from a play. They can also be assessed as a designer. This is completed in year 11 and performed to a visiting examiner.

Why should I study this course?

I really enjoy performing/designing for an audience and am committed, dedicated and enthusiastic about exploring plays, and different styles of theatre. Going to the theatre or watching theatre online is something I really like doing and I am interested in analysing and evaluating how a performer or designer communicates their ideas to an audience. As someone who enjoys acting, I am committed to putting time into learning my lines and rehearsing to make my performance the best it can be. I also love having the opportunity to express my ideas through both practical and written work. I work well with others in groups and have good attendance.

Student Quote:

‘I love having the to opportunity to perform different characters and explore different plays’.