Welcome
Please start with the audio recording to understand more about why you should consider IGCSE Drama.
It is not a requirement of the course that you get involved with a school co-curricular production and you cannot be assessed on it for coursework. However, there is no doubt that being in a school production is beneficial. The additional performance experience you acquire will help you further develop your acting skills and knowledge.
Yes! 60% of this course is practical coursework. This means you have to work consistently throughout Y10 and Y11, but you can then approach the exams at the end of Y11 knowing that you already have a big proportion of your overall grade sewn up!
The majority of students who choose this IGCSE subject will currently be doing Drama as one of their Y9 options. This is obviously the best way to know whether you are going to enjoy the course in Y10 & 11, and whether you are suited to the specific style of learning experienced in Drama. However, every year we are likely to have one or two students who didn't do Y9 Drama (for a variety of reasons) and who are still accepted onto the IGCSE Drama course.
If this is the case for you, then it is vital that you or your parents make contact with the Head of Department BEFORE you make your choice in order to discuss your suitability. Please see contact details at the bottom of the page.
It is essential that you see some live theatre during your GCSE course. We aim to take you to at least one production in each year in order to widen your knowledge and experience of theatre. The trips usually take place in the evening and are generally to theatres in the Manchester area such as The Lowry, the Royal Exchange or Home. We also may visit other areas of the North West such as Liverpool, Bolton, Stoke or Leeds. You are always given plenty of notice of the trip and there is an expectation that everyone attends, apart from in exceptional circumstances.
Although you are required to work in a group for two of your three coursework assessed performances, you are ALWAYS marked individually. All performances are marked and standardised by your Drama teachers and then marks are moderated by an external examiner from the exam board using video evidence of your performances.
The best preparation for an A Level in this subject is to do the GCSE course. It means that you can make your choices with a full knowledge of whether you have enjoyed studying the subject, and whether you have the ability to do well. We do occasionally get students taking the subject at A Level who have not done GCSE Drama, but you must be able to prove that you have a strong interest and ability in the subject, usually through your involvement in co-curricular productions.
...are many and varied with a GCSE in Drama. Some careers within the Creative Industries are directly related to the performance skills that you learn. However, other skills such as co-operation within a team, time/project management, and communication, are transferable skills which can be useful in many different types of job both within the Creative Industries or outside it.
Many of the vital skills needed by employers in the future (listed in the infographic) are developed through the unique learning styles of Drama, making it an ideal subject for ANY future career.
Mrs Louise Bailey | Head of Drama - louisebailey@chschool.co.uk
Mrs Vickie Gardner | Teacher of Drama - vickiegardner@chschool.co.uk
Mr David Fairweather| Teacher of Drama - davidfairweather@chschool.co.uk
Mr Patrick Davenport| Teacher of Drama - patrickdavenport@chschool.co.uk
Mrs Emma Macklin| Teacher of Drama - emmamacklin@chschool.co.uk
Mr Joe Clarke| Drama Assiistant & LAMDA Co-ordinator - joeclarke@chschool.co.uk