Topics covered

The GCSE Drama course will enable students to:

• Develop a wide range of performance styles and skills in order to create imaginative, meaningful and original performances.
• Develop the ability to express their ideas and put them into action
• Develop their self-confidence, self-discipline and ability to work as part of a team
• Develop their research and planning skills and ability to work to and meet deadlines 
• Develop their analytical thinking and evaluation skills, both spoken and on paper

Component 1: Understanding drama – written exam – 40% 

Set and graded by AQA, there are three sections to the written exam:

• Section A: Knowledge and understanding of theatre 
• Section B: Study of a set play 
• Section C: Analysis and evaluation of live theatre 

Students work practically exploring and performing extracts from a play prescribed by the exam board – currently ‘The Crucible by Arthur Miller’. They learn about performance techniques and how to design set, costume, sound and lighting. They will learn how to write about their performance and design ideas and can take the play text into the exam.

Students go to the theatre regularly during the course and will then write an analysis and evaluation of one of the performances that they have seen in their final exam. 

Component 2: Devising drama – 40%

In a group, students create their own, original piece of theatre to be performed in front of an audience, which can be the class or invited friends and family. Students can work as actors or designers. Their performance skills and ability to create an effective piece of drama will be assessed by their teacher. During the devising and rehearsal process, students keep a ‘devising log’ of what they can do; this is written up into a final piece of coursework which is also marked by the teacher. The whole component is then externally moderated. 

Component 3: Texts in practice – 20% 

Students work in a group to perform two extracts from a play chosen by themselves and their teacher. They can work as actors or designers. Students are assessed on their performance skills and ability to interpret their character and the play. The extract is performed in front of an audience, usually their class, and a visiting AQA examiner.