Drama & Theatre
Examining Board
AQA
Course Introduction
GCSE Drama gives students a unique opportunity to build their confidence both on stage and off. Students are encouraged to work independently, and as part of a team, whilst they explore different performance styles. They will also learn to experiment with a number of dramatic techniques to enhance their understanding of dramatic conventions. Students work will be based upon a variety of stimulus material including scripts, music, photographs and poetry from a range of historical, cultural and social genres.
The course not only involves developing students own communication skills but also enhances their understanding of the ways in which performers, designers and directors communicate meaning to an audience. Drama is an exciting GCSE that offers the chance to share students’ own experiences and ideas with others and see them come to fruition in a practical sense.
Assessments
Written examination (40% of overall mark)
Devised performance and log (40% of overall mark)
Performance of 2 extracts from a published script (20% of overall mark)
Progression
AQA Drama GCSE has a wide relevance to a range of career and future pathways. Previous students have studied a range of performance courses post-16 and at university and many have attended prestigious drama schools. Drama can also reinforce a broad skills set that will help with professions which might require the following: communication, time management, team work, focus and concentration.
Course Content
Key areas of study for this course are outlined below:
- Devising performance from a range of stimuli including photographs, poetry and newspaper articles.
- Detailed study of a range of playscripts and their playwrights including ‘Forever and Ever’, ‘DNA’, ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Blue Remembered Hills’ and ‘Noughts and Crosses’.
- Opportunities to view a range of live theatre performances in order to analyse and evaluate how meaning is created for an audience using acting, design and technical elements.
Contact Name
Mr D Coates Head of Drama
