Drama

Subject Overview

Drama GCSE is an academic course that allows students to develop their creative and analytical skills in both a practical and theoretical way. Employers look upon this as a valuable qualification as it hones skills in communication, team work, and builds confidence.

During the course students learn about different styles and forms of performance and extend their creative skills to explore plays and stimulus materials. In the final unit they can put all that they have learnt in to practice by creating their own performance work.

Lessons include practical assessed workshops where students are assessed on their contributions and understanding of the text/stimulus being explored. They then consolidate this knowledge in controlled assessment work that can take the form of pictures and diagrams with written explanation.

Syllabuses (Course Outline and Structure)

We offer Edexcel GCSE Drama which is a 2 year course.

Current year 10 students are following the 2009 specification which can be found at:

• Edexcel Website: Specification

Students starting GCSE in September 2012 onwards will follow the Linear 2012 specification which can be found at:

• Edexcel Webiste: Specification

Course Structure

Unit 1: Exploring Stimuli 30%

• Practical marks and coursework marks
• Explore different materials through practical activities to better understand a theme/issue

Unit 2: Exploring Play Texts 30%

• Practical marks and coursework marks
• Explore a play through practical activities to better understand the style and interpretation

Unit 3: Practical Exam 40%

• Marks for acting or for design
• Performance or presentation to an examiner

Assessment:

Units 1 and 2:

• Teacher assessed and externally moderated
• Practical marks—for your ideas in dramatic activities exploring the theme/play.
• Coursework—you just write about the practical lessons you have done—simple!

Unit 3:

• Assessed by a visiting examiner
• Performance or design option
  

Activities and Trips

You will have homework as preparation for your coursework and rehearsal time for your final exam so you must be prepared to put in extra hours outside of lessons.

As part of Unit 2 we will go to see a theatre performance in order to write a review for part of our coursework.

Expected Costs

It is a course requirement that students attend a live theatre performance as part of their Unit 2 coursework. We try to go to local venues to reduce travel costs (Warwick Arts Centre, Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, etc.) and we often get school rate discount on tickets. Usually this trip costs a total of £10-15.

Complimentary Subject Combinations and Enrichment Activities

There are many links between Drama and English where you also explore play texts. Studying plays practically allows you to analyse texts as they were meant to be performed from a dramatic point of view.

Drama links well with other areas of the Arts such as Music, Art and Art Photography. If students are part of extra-curricular Drama or Performing Arts groups they will find that this will enhance their work in this area.

Subject Resources

Past Papers

For the performance exam students are given a ‘Performance Brief’ which provides a starting point for their performance work.

Past Performance Briefs:

• Summer 2012: “Everyone has a story that needs to be told”
• Summer 2011: “Changes”

Courses References

There are Edexcel Student Guides available via the Edexcel website that provide detailed explanations of strategies, practitioners, styles and forms of theatre as well as some background information in to theatre history. They also include examiners tips and coursework hints.
Useful Links (internal and external)

• U:/Drama/GCSE/GCSE Course Pack (This resource may only be available from within school)
  

Multimedia links

Snipit of performance – this is on my external hard drive – I will bring it up to you when you want it

Other Information

• Edexel Webiste: Resources

For More information email, Miss S Owen, Head of Drama.