What will be studied?
The Drama course offers a challenging and very exciting opportunity for those students who are interested in performance and producing drama.
GCSE Drama offers students the opportunity to explore a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Students will create, perform and respond to drama, informed by their increasing theoretical knowledge so that they become adept at selecting the most effective means of expression. It covers aspects of improvisation and scripted performances and provides students with the opportunity to learn about stage lighting, sound, costume and design.
Drama is an exciting, creative and challenging course which encourages you to develop as an independent learner with analytical awareness and critical, reflective thinking skills.
Who will this course suit?
The GCSE course suits pupils who are independent learners and who can organise their work over two years.
Students will need to demonstrate the following skills:
- Confidence in performance.
- The ability to analyse and construct your ideas though written communication.
- Collaborative skills, the ability to work with different people on new projects.
- Creativity and imagination.
| Exam board and specification | |
|---|---|
| Exam board | Edexcel |
| Course code | 8261 (1DR0) |
| QAN | 601/8491/7 |
| Web link to specification | |
How is the course assessed?
Students are assessed on three components:
Component 1: Devising
- Create and develop a devised performance. (15 marks)
- Create a portfolio covering the creating and developing process. (45 marks)
This component is worth 40% of the GCSE.
Component 2: Performance from Text
- Students perform two key extracts from a text. (48 marks)
- The component is externally assessed.
This component is worth 20% of the GCSE.
Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice
An exam assessing the following topics:
- Practical exploration and study of a performance text.
- Live Theatre Evaluation.
This component is worth 40% of the GCSE.
What will this qualification lead to?
A GCSE in Drama can lead onto many A level courses, including Drama, Theatre Studies, Performing Arts or a BTEC level 3. Many of our A level students move onto Drama degree courses at university, Drama schools or careers in Education, Marketing and the Television & Film Industry.