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A level Drama at Borlase
A level Drama at Borlase
A Level Drama is an exciting subject to study at Borlase. Many students who study A Level Drama with us progress onto careers in the Arts and other related subjects. In recent years, some of our students have gained places at top UK drama schools on both the design and acting courses, including LIPA (The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) & Guildford School of Acting. Several of our past and current students are members of The National Youth Theatre. Our approach is collaborative and many of our senior students mentor our younger students through the popular KS3 drama clubs and GCSE practical work, as well as participating in extracurricular productions themselves. For more information on these opportunities, please see the separate extra curricular tab.
Below is an image carousel of recent A Level practical work, details of the specification we follow and a video on studying Drama.
A level Specification and Curriculum Overview
A level Specification and Curriculum Overview
Edexcel A level in Drama and Theatre
Entry requirements
Drama and Theatre is an exciting, wide-ranging subject at 16+. This innovative and creative course allows students to explore a wide range of theatre, which includes classical and contemporary texts, incorporating a variety of dramatic styles, theatre companies and practitioners. Students have the opportunity to see a variety of live theatre productions; an integral and exciting part of the course.
The academic content is rigorous and challenging; at the same time the course encourages students to develop presentation skills and confidence, enabling them to converse articulately on many different levels. Students are able to develop their interest in and enjoyment of drama and theatre, through their development as directors, performers, designers and educated spectators.
This Advanced Level specification provides opportunities for progression to courses in higher education in all related subjects, including English and Modern Foreign Languages, History and Politics, Psychology, Music and Dance. It is supported by all higher education institutions as an entry qualification in other subjects. Equally, it is an enabling subject for students wishing to pursue a career that involves communication such as law, education and the arts and media industries. Business employers, for instance, particularly like to see drama on a prospective employee’s CV, because it suggests a high level of presentational and interpersonal skills which they consider to be vital in today’s competitive working environment.
It is a requirement to have studied GCSE Drama and to have achieved Level 7-9.
Course Structure
GCE A Level Drama and Theatre (Edexcel)
Component 1: Devising
40% of the qualification
80 marks
Internally assessed and externally moderated
Content overview: students devise an original performance piece, using one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli. Performer or designer routes are available. Students are assessed through the submission of a written portfolio and a performance of the devised piece in front of a live audience.
Component 2: Text in Performance
20% of the qualification
60 marks
Externally assessed by a visiting examiner
Content overview: students will perform extracts from/ realise the design for two different texts for an external examiner and invited audience. This includes: a group performance or design realisation of one key extract from a performance text, and a monologue or duologue performance/design realisation from a different performance text.
Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice
40% of the qualification
80 marks
Written Examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
Content overview: students will evaluate a live theatre production and study two complete performance texts in preparation for the examination; one in light of a chosen theatre practitioner, with a focus on how this text could be reimagined for a contemporary audience.
How to get a top grade in Drama
To achieve a top grade in Drama, students must be dedicated to the subject, in terms of analysis and preparation as well as just performance. That said, pupils looking to achieve an 8 or a 9 need to show outstanding technical skill on stage, they need to show a deep understanding of their role in their group’s performance and be able to perform with a wide range of emotions and in a variety of styles.
Students who excel at Drama are those with confidence, enthusiasm and imagination. In addition, those who are prepared to challenge themselves, take risks and create something original are often rewarded by a stronger and more engaging performance.
The criteria for the top band is as follows:
Written work:
When writing an answer candidates recall, select and communicate detailed knowledge and thorough understanding of plays and other types of drama.
They demonstrate a thorough awareness of texts and dramatic styles, and of social context and genre, to generate, explore and develop their ideas. They understand and use terminology accurately and appropriately.
Practical work:
They apply and adapt an extensive range of practical skills, which they execute creatively to communicate their ideas effectively. They work very productively with others.
They have well-developed evaluative and reflective skills. They show critical awareness of work in progress and performance, and of their own contribution and that of others. They show full justification for their performance ideas by demonstrating insight and sensitivity in developing practical work.
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