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Drama (GCSE)

Drama (GCSE)

Sixth Form Overview

Students aged 17-18 years old

Course Outline

The specification engages and encourages students to become confident performers and designers with the skills they need for a bright and successful future. The written exam paper is designed to help all students realise their full potential. It uses a variety of question styles and asks students to combine what they’ve learned about how drama is performed with their practical experience and imagination.

Topics Studied

We’ve built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best – participate in performance.

All students explore texts practically and work on two text-based performances.
Students can choose to develop as a:

  •  Performer
  •  Designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets)
  • Performer and designer.

Whichever option they choose, students can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand
their horizons.

How it’s assessed

Component 1

Understanding drama
What’s assessed

Knowledge and understanding of drama
and theatre.
Study of one set play from a choice of six.
Analysis and evaluation of the work of live
theatre makers.
How it’s assessed

Written exam:
1 hour and 45 minutes
80 marks — 40 % of GCSE
Section A: multiple choice (4 marks).
Section B: four questions on a given
extract from the set play chosen
(44 marks).
Section C: one question (from a choice) on
the work of theatre makers in a single live
theatre production (32 marks).

Component 2

Devising drama (practical)
What’s assessed

Process of creating devised drama.
Performance of devised drama (students
may contribute as performer or designer).
Analysis and evaluation of own work.
How it’s assessed

Devising log (60 marks)
Devised performance
(20 marks)
80 marks in total
40 % of GCSE

This component is marked by
teacher

Component 3

Texts in practice (practical)
What’s assessed

Performance of two extracts from
one play
(students may contribute as
performer or designer).
Free choice of play but it must
contrast with the set play chosen for
Component 1.
How it’s assessed

Performance of Extract 1
(20 marks) and Extract 2
(20 marks)
40 marks in total
20 % of GCSE

Why choose it?

The specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to AS and A-level Drama and Theatre.
Students who go on to AS or A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for the written paper. They have built solid
foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and in interpreting key extracts. All of these aspects feature in the AS and A-level as well as the GCSE.

  • Exam Board AQA
  • Course Code 8261
  • ASSESSMENT EXTERNAL ASSIGNMENT (50%) & COURSEWORK (50%)