Why should STUDENTS choose GCSE Drama? 

Drama at GCSE develops confidence in students. The course naturally promotes presentation and communication skills and encourages all students to work in a group and as part of a team.  

What will STUDENTS need to be successful in this course? 

To be successful, students will need to be able to work with others, as part of a creative team. This may be in a supportive role, such as an actor or designer, or as leading role, such as director or stage manager. An interest in theatre, plays, performance and stage design is useful. Previous acting experience is not required.   

support for STUDENTS

This course is suitable for students of all ability levels. Students with aspirations of Grade 7 and above can expect to undertake acting and design projects that will challenge them. The set text for the written examination is challenging in terms of subject matter, themes and language. They will explore a range of different theatrical styles and practitioners and will need to show a sophisticated understanding of the impact of their actions/decisions on the performance group and audience. 

We will be expecting the level of writing to be sophisticated and they should be able to write extended responses that show a clear analytical understanding of theatre, using key vocabulary. 

Students aiming for Grade 3 and higher will be well supported with detailed guidance to help craft their written responses, both for the devised log book and for the written examination. Students are encouraged to pursue their own areas of interest within the acting and design options available, and will be supported to develop new skills. Resources to revise key theatre terms and approaches to the set text are put onto Google Classroom.

As students approach their final examination we offer targeted and general revision sessions after school and at key times during tutor periods.

Course Description

Students will learn a wide range of acting skills and performance techniques. They can also choose to explore a theatrical design route, focusing on the creative and technical process.

Students in Year 9 are currently working on their 'Devising' theatre skills. Students have explored techniques used by the modern theatre company 'Frantic Assembly' who use a lot of movement to create characters. The students have been experimenting with the different techniques within their lessons. The two students in this video are practicing the technique known as 'chair duets', which is when you sit next to a partner and use a series of improvised contact movements. They will soon be incorporating this technique into their final performance. 

Course Content

Years 9-10

• • Introduction to dramatic skills: improvisation, characterisation, voice,  direction and choreography.

  • Preparation of devised performances based on various themes and stimuli.

  • Research into the historical, cultural and social traditions of drama. This will include, for example: 

    • • • • Choral work in Greek Theatre incorporating the traditional use of mask; 

          • The study of the Elizabethan Theatre through various scenes from Shakespeare and his contemporaries, approached from an acting and design perspective; 

          • 20th Century, such as ‘kitchen sink comedies’,  Theatre of the Absurd, Naturalism, Physical Theatre and modern devising drama techniques.

          • Introduction to Theatrical Design, including the study and practical use of lighting and sound design, set design, (including properties) and costume design, (including mask, hair and make-up).

All performance and design work helps prepare the necessary techniques and skills needed for the written examination, including directing, character analysis, design skills, understanding of theatre and dramatic style and evaluating rehearsals and performances.

Year 11  -  The Assessment will be split into the following three components:

Component 1: Understanding drama = The written exam

40% of the final GCSE mark

Assessed skills:

• • Understanding of staging and performance;

  • The study of a set play from a theatrical genre, (chosen from a list set by the exam board);

  • Analysis, evaluation and review of a live theatre production.

Component 2: Devising drama (Practical)

40% of the final GCSE mark

Assessed skills:

• • The process of creating devised drama;

  • Analysis and evaluation of own work;

  • Performance of the devised drama.

Students may contribute as performer or designer.

Design skills: lighting design, sound design, set design, (including properties) or costume design, (including mask, hair and make-up).    

Component 3: Texts in practice (Practical)

20% of the final GCSE mark

Assessed skills:

• • Performance of two extracts from one play;

  • Students may contribute as a performer or designer;

  • Design skills: lighting design, sound design, set design, (including properties) or costume design, (including mask, hair and make-up).    

Further Education and Career Pathways

A-level Drama and Theatre Arts, BTEC Performing Arts, Degrees in Performance Arts, Theatre Studies and Theatrical Design.  Careers in Performing Arts and Theatre Design and a good basis for any career needing project management, communication and presentation skills.