GCSE Drama

GCSE drama offers a varied and interesting course covering performance, directing, set, costume and sound and lighting.  We follow the Edexcel specification at GCSE, which encourages students to develop a personal interest in why drama matters and be inspired by studying a broad, coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course. 

In drama you are encouraged to work imaginatively and creatively in a team.  You will be asked to consider and explore the impact of social, historical and cultural influences on drama texts and activities.

The Edexcel course is 100% course work.  Students study 3 units:

Unit 1: Drama Exploration.

This consists of a piece of drama created by the student based around given stimuli (newspaper articles, films, posters, poetry, scripts, live theatre).  This is then assessed by the teacher and includes a documentary response (2000 word maximum).   30% of total GCSE mark.

Unit 2: Exploring play texts.

In this unit pupils study a play and work on rehearing the text, exploring different methods of staging, developing characters, recognizing writers directions within the script.   Pupils will also watch a live performance.

This unit will be assessed by a documentary response analysing and evaluating the student’s own and other students’ work during the exploration process (maximum of 1000 words) and an evaluation of a live performance of a complete play (maximum of 2000 words.)  30% of total GCSE mark.

Unit 3: Drama Performance.

This unit provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of practical drama skills through their application to a live performance and to communicate to an audience.

This is an externally assessed unit.  All students will present their work as either performers or performance support students in a single performance to an examiner appointed by Edexcel.  Edexcel will provide an externally set assignment brief which must be addressed for the final Unit 3 performance.  40% of the total GCSE mark.

This subject leads to GCE in Drama and Theatre Studies, BTEC National Award in Performing Arts (Acting), BTEC National Certificate in Performing Arts (Acting), BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting) and 14-19 Diploma in Creative Media (Level 3) all offered at ag6.