FAQs

Why should I study GCSE Drama?

GCSE Drama is an exciting and challenging subject that will help you develop your creative skills, performance skills and collaborative skills through theoretical and practical study. GCSE Drama can lead to a wide array of artistic and creative A LEVEL and BTEC courses as well as entry to leading London Arts Academies. GCSE drama also supports and encourages self expression, social and cultural exploration and social practice which is great for our mental health and wellbeing 

What specification do we follow in GCSE Drama?

We will follow the EDEXCEL GCSE Drama. For access to the full specification please follow the link. 

GCSE Drama Specification 

What will I learn throughout the GCSE Drama course?

Students will learn to: 

• Apply knowledge and understanding when making, performing and responding to drama.

•  Explore performance texts, understanding their social, cultural and historical context including the theatrical conventions of the period in which they were created.

•  Develop a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performances 

• Work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas 

• Develop as creative, effective, independent and reflective students able to make informed choices in process and performance 

• Contribute as an individual to a theatrical performance 

•  Reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others 

• Develop an awareness and understanding of the roles and processes undertaken in contemporary professional theatre practice 

• Adopt safe working practices. 

Core skills 

The core skills developed in this qualification are: 

• The ability to recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of performer, designer and director 

• The study and exploration of texts and extracts must include the relevant social, historical and cultural contexts 

•  The ability to analyse and evaluate their own work and the work of others 

• The ability to understand how performance texts can be interpreted and performed. Performance and designer routes Students may complete Components 1 and 2 as a performer or designer or do any combination of both of these roles. 

Option 1: 

Component 1: Student completes as a performer or designer

Component 2 Student studies both key extracts as a performer or designer 

Option 2: 

Component 1: Student completes as a performer or designer

Component 2: Student studies one extract as a designer and the second extract as a performer (or vice versa) 

How will I be assessed in GCSE Drama?  

GCSE drama is assessed through three components: 

• Devising (40%, 60 marks) The devising component is internally assessed and externally moderated.

There are two parts to the devising assessment: 

1) a portfolio covering the creating and developing process and analysis and evaluation of this process (45 marks, 30 marks assessing AO1 and 15 marks assessing AO4). The portfolio submission recommendations are: - can be handwritten/typed evidence between 1500–2000 words 

or - can be recorded/verbal evidence between 8–10 minutes or - can be a combination of handwritten/typed evidence (between 750–1000 words) and recorded/verbal evidence (between 4–5 minutes)

 2) a devised performance/design realisation (15 marks, assessing AO2) 

•  Performance from text (20%, 48 marks) The performance from text is externally assessed by a visiting examiner and the written exam is externally graded. 

Students will either perform in and/or design for two key extracts from a performance text. 

•  Centre choice of performance text. 

•  Performer or designer routes available. 

•  Theatre Makers in Practice (the written exam 40%, 60 marks)

Section A: Bringing Texts to Life 

45 marks, assessing AO3. This section consists of one question broken into five parts (short and extended responses) based on an unseen extract from the chosen performance text. Performance texts are not allowed in the examination as the extracts will be provided. 

Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation 

● 15 marks, assessing AO4.

 ● This section consists of two questions requiring students to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen. 

● Students are allowed to bring in theatre evaluation notes of up to a maximum of 500 words. 

How much of my grade is performance based?

GCSE drama is 60% practical and 40% written. The practical element is supported by written evidence (log books) but graded on the performance.  

Is there a written exam for GCSE Drama?

Yes. Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice is the written part of your GCSE. It is worth 60 marks and 40% of your GCSE. It is a 1 hour 45 minute written examination divided into two parts: A Live Theatre Review and the Practical exploration and study of one complete performance text. 

Will I have to do much writing in GCSE Drama?

The written exam is 40% of your Drama GCSE so a lot of time will be spent practicing how to answer these questions correctly and developing our critical analysis. Alongside the practical portion of your GCSE you will also have to provide Log Books to accommodate your performances which require written evidence, self reflections and evaluations to support your artistic intentions. 

Will I need to provide my own props and costumes for GCSE Drama?

Some Props and costumes will be provided for you and some are provided by the members of your cast. Some props and costumes may also be made by the Design candidates within GCSE drama.  

Is GCSE Drama just acting or will I get to study other aspects of theatre?

No - GCSE drama also allows you to explore this subject through a designers (costume, lighting, set), directors and producer's perspective. 

Will I get to experience live professional performances during the course?

Yes. You will get the opportunity to go and see the piece of live theatre you study for part of the written exam. We also have access to Digital Theatre where we can watch full, professional productions of Live theatre in the classroom - this way, we also get to watch the production more than once which is of great benefit.  

Can I still take GCSE Drama if I'm not a confident performer?

Yes. As long as you are prepared to perform during the course we can work on developing your performance confidence.

Will there be extra curricular activities/lessons to help me with GCSE drama? 

Yes. You may need to spend additional hours after school rehearsing your performances, work-shopping ideas, exploring the work of different practitioners, working on your log books or attending Exam Prep Clinics where we spend time specifically looking at how to approach and prepare for the written exam component. Some of these will be run by you, demonstrating independence and taking on directorial roles. Other workshops will be led by your subject teacher.  

Am I allowed to choose more than 1 Performing Arts subject for my GCSE options? 

Yes. You are being given 2 free option choices, although you will choose 4 initially. This is to ensure that you have a backup option should one of your chosen options not run. The free choice and no option blocks will allow you to select more than 1 Performing Arts subject should you wish. 

How can I succeed in GCSE Drama?

In order to be a successful GCSE Drama student all you need is enthusiasm, creativity, resilience, determination, independence, curiosity, empathy, confidence and be willing to embrace challenge!

You will be provided with all of the necessary resources to support you but ultimately it will be down to you to make the most of them. Your teacher will do everything they can to facilitate your learning but the responsibility to take on board and apply advice is ultimately down to you.

You will need to be prepared to spend some time, out of lessons, consolidating the learning that has occurred in class and revisiting terminology, performance texts and skills regularly.  You will also need to be willing to meet with your performance groups and designers outside of lessons to ensure that work is refined and performance ready. 

What can I do once I have completed the course?

People with performing arts skills and knowledge usually have an advantage over people without them. They stand out as talented, confident and creative people, with broad and exciting horizons. Taking GCSE Drama means you will:

• Add an extra dimension to your personal skills profile which will impress anyone who reads your CV 

• Have the confidence to push yourself out of your comfort zone and experience new opportunities

• Be able to study AS, A level and Vocational Drama courses to further your knowledge of the subject

• Have the confidence and self esteem to pursue your goals and ambitions

• Feel confident and comfortable speaking in front of people and working through anxiety - a key part of moving into adult life (interviews/ job applications/ daily interactions)