Drama

Course Information

At Bowland students are offered the AQA GCSE Drama course. It is 60% practical and 40% Theory.

The course encourages students to become confident performers and designers with the skills they need for their chosen future pathway. 

Students will collaborate with others, think analytically and evaluate effectively through participation in performance work and the reviewing of their own and professional performances. 

The practical and active nature of Drama can offer a good balance for pupils who have an otherwise classroom based curriculum. It can also suit pupils who do not want their entire GCSE grade to be reliant on just a written exam paper.

Components of study:

Component 1: Understanding Drama

This component requires students to study a set text from the exam board. The current texts of study are The Crucible and Blood Brothers. Students will explore the text in its entirety as a performer, designer and director to enable them to answer a range of questions in examination.

Students are also required to see a live performance at the theatre that contrasts to their set text.

This unit is assessed in a 1 hr 45 minute written exam paper which students will sit in their final year.

What’s assessed? 

• Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

• Study of one set play

• Analysis and evaluation of live theatre

How it’s assessed:

• Written examination - 1 hour 45 mins

• 80 Marks 

• 40% of GCSE

Component 2: Devising Drama

Within this component of work students will be working in groups to devise and perform their own short piece of drama in response to a stimulus. This component also offers students the opportunity to create and be assessed in one of the design areas; lighting design, costume design or set design.

What’s Assessed? 

• Process of creating devised drama

• Performance of devised drama piece 

• Analysis and evaluation of own work

How it’s assessed:

• Devising Log - 40 Marks

• Devised performance - 20 Marks

• 40% of GCSE

Component 3: Texts in Practice

In this component students select a play and perform two short extracts to a visiting examiner. Students are able to perform a monologue, duologue or work as part of a group. As with the devised unit, students do also have the option to complete the component as a designer and can focus on lighting, costume or set.

What’s assessed?

• Performance of two extracts from one play

Text must contrast with the set text for component 1

How it’s assessed:

• Performance of extract 1 and extract 2 (20 marks each)

• 20% of GCSE

GCSE Drama suits students who enjoy a high degree of practical work, it is essential that students have an interest in either performance or design for this course. Students must be creative and must have the ability to work independently at times.

We follow the AQA specification for GCSE Drama which can be found here:

AQA GCSE Drama 

Drama Staff