Why study Drama?

Drama will teach you performance skills in different theatrical styles, for different audiences. You can choose to act, design, stage manage or create technical support for a performance.

Above all, it is a subject that concerns itself with the development of personality. Drama will help you develop your personal and social skills, in that you will become more confident in expressing yourself, communicating ideas and working with others.

What will I study?

You will be following the Edexcel GCSE in Drama syllabus, made up of three sections, two of which are completed during the course based around exploration of theme and texts (60%). The third section is an end of course exam (40%).

• Drama Exploration I - This component is concerned with the use of Drama to explore ideas and issues, responding to stimulus material selected from different times and cultures. 10% is practical, 30% written coursework response.
• Drama Exploration II - This will involve the in-depth performance of two extracts from the same play. Externally marked. 20% of final mark.
• Written Exam 40%: Section A is written response to a set text from a performance, director and designer point of view. Section B is a written response to a live theatre visit. 

How will I study?

Throughout the course written work will involve keeping a Drama notebook. This will be supplemented by closer focus on particular aspects such as the elements of Drama in preparation for the written portfolios. These notebooks act as a record of your practical work and show how you respond to and develop a variety of stimuli from different cultures and historical periods.

How will my work be assessed?

The final marks come from your work throughout the course and a final written exam.

• Practical devised performance exam [10%] based upon a stimulus.
• Coursework portfolio [30%]
• Practical performance exam [20%]. This will be a prepared performance from two established scripts of between 10 and 20 minutes in length.
• Written exam [40%] based on practical work and texts studied throughout the course and a ‘Live Theatre’ visit.

Please see Ms Crossingham for more information.