Drama

National 4/National 5

Course Overview

Both National 4 and National 5 courses comprise of a focus on Drama Skills and Production Skills. The course aims to prepare the pupils for the final exam. 

Final Exam: 

The final exam consists of a practical exam worth 60% of their overall grade. Pupils will be working on plays given by the teacher and they can choose to act or take on a production role. The piece will then be performed in front of an SQA examiner.

The second part of the exam is a written paper worth 40% of the overall grade. This paper asks the candidates to evaluate a performance they have taken part in as well as come up with an imaginative response from stimuli presented to them.

If a candidate is of National 4 level they still need to perform in the practical exam, however they do not need to sit the written paper but they will complete a written logbook to evidence their process.

Course:

To prepare for the final exam pupils will have a period of theory a week to concentrate on the vocabulary required and how to structure their answers for the exam paper.

The rest of the course is spent practically exploring a text from the point of view of an actor as well as taking on a production role. This allows the pupils to see what the process will be like for the final exam but it also allows them to make an informed decision on whether to act or work on a production role having experienced them both.

Faculty Principal Teacher

Mrs T  MacKay

Learning and Teaching Approaches

At Aberdeen Grammar we intend to run a combined National 4/5 Drama course and allow pupils to demonstrate their ability by differentiated response to common tasks and activities. Ultimately the final level that a pupil is presented for will be determined by the quality and standard of the work they produce in both the practical and written elements of the course.

A selection of learning and teaching approaches will be used including:

Independent learning; group work; research skills; problem solving; discussion; self and peer evaluation.

Recommended Next Steps

Return to Performing Arts