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Drama & Dance

Course Title: GCSE Drama

Examination Board: EDEXCEL

Entry Requirements (if appropriate): GCSE drama is open to all students who have in the past taken a keen interest in and shown particular commitment to the subject. If you are thinking of studying drama in year ten and eleven you should have had some previous involvement in out of hours drama or show willing to do so throughout your GCSE course.

Contact: Miss Ellis

Course Aims:

Would I be suited to studying drama? The GCSE drama course is an excellent means of developing confidence and team building skills. However, to be accepted onto the course you must have shown previous commitment and enthusiasm towards the subject during key stage 3. You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that is both practical and creative. You should be a confident performer and have the ability to work well with other students. As you will be working in groups for your assessments, a good attendance record is essential.

Course Description:

The course is divided into two main parts comprised of both Practical & Written work:

How will I learn:

GCSE drama is structured in two assessment papers. In unit one of the first paper, which takes place in year ten, you will sit a six hour practical workshop exam. The unit is concerned with the use of drama to explore ideas and issues in response to stimulus material selected from different times or cultures. In year eleven you will complete unit two of paper one. In this exam you will study a selected play. The purpose of this unit is to give you knowledge and understanding of the ways in which playwrights, performers, directors and designers use the medium of drama to communicate their ideas to the audience. Paper two is the final part of the GCSE course. This paper is concerned with the skills required in drama to perform work to an audience. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills as a performer in either a devised or scripted play. This unit externally moderated by a visiting examiner. Is there written work? Yes. You will submit two pieces of written course work after each unit exam. Information can be presented in an essay format and can be accompanied with set and costume designs, lighting plans and diagrams.

Possible Career Pathways:

You could study a course in Theatre Studies, Drama or Performing Arts in Sixth Form at AS/A2 Advanced level or BTEC. These courses will allow you access to Higher Education courses to Degree level at University. The main employment areas within Drama are TV, Film, Media, Journalism & Theatre. GCSE Drama will also help you to develop many skills which are transferable to a range of professions such as problem solving, team building & confidence building.

Subject summary: Year 7 Drama Programme of Study

In Year 7 students examine a number of different themes and issues via a range of explorative strategies. Students also use drama to support and explore work in History, English and CRED.   In addition to improvisation and acting skills, students also study a selected contemporary play and a Shakespeare text.  Students are also encouraged to develop skills in problem solving, communication and working with others.

Subject summary: Year 8 Drama Programme of Study

The Drama course has elements of improvisation and scripted work including Shakespeare. There has been the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills; working supportively with others, developing work through performance and reflecting on performance.

Subject summary: Year 9 Drama Programme of Study

In Year 9 students examine a number of different themes and issues via a range of explorative strategies.  In addition to improvisation and acting skills, students also study selected plays and explore the different ways in which a script can be brought to life on stage. Students acquire skills involved in creating and performing drama, and are also encouraged to develop skills in problem solving, communication and working with others.

Subject summary: Year 10 Drama Programme of Study

GCSE drama is split into three strands, allowing students explore both original and scripted theatre. Students examine current themes and issues via a range of explorative strategies as well as using theatre as a means to explore issues from different times and cultures. In year ten, students will complete their first modular exam which will take place in the form of a practical workshop and written course work. 

In addition to acquiring skills in creating and performing drama, students will be able to acquire skills in working with others, problem solving and communication. The course will serve as an opportunity to develop students’ self-confidence and will prepare them to deal with a range of different situations and people.

Subject summary: Year 11 Drama Programme of Study

In year eleven students continue to build on the knowledge and skills they have developed in year ten. They will study a further set text, exploring a different time and culture and develop skills within the devising process in preparation for their final assessment. Students will complete their second unit one workshop exam and following this will begin to put together their final scripted or devised piece. Students will be visited by an external examiner in the spring term who will assess their final performance, completing the final unit of the GCSE assessment.