GCSE Drama

Students will build upon their knowledge and skills gained during KS3 Drama in order to succeed in GCSE Drama as well as widen their creative experiences in different performance styles.

Students will develop their creating, rehearsal and performance skills to a much higher level at KS4, working towards both devised and scripted performances to an audience. A in depth knowledge of acting, theatre design and the performing arts industry will be gained as well as the development of practical performance skills.

Students will also analyse plays through practical techniques and theoretical approaches and through live theatre visits; investigating the different ways of bringing a script to life on stage. This is a challenging, exciting and creative GCSE course which develops key transferable life skills including:

• Oracy and communication skills
• Group work and team building
• Problem solving and organisation
• Creative thinking and practical application
• Development of analysis and evaluation literacy
• Developing empathy and understanding the world in which we live.

The GCSE Drama content is divided into three components:

Component 1 – Devising Theatre – Students will work in a group to research, create, develop and then perform a play they have devised themselves in response to a stimulus set by the exam board. They must complete a devising log and an analysis and evaluation of their performance. (Practical and Written Assessment – 40% of GCSE)

Component 2 – Performing from a Text – Students will rehearse and perform two extracts from one play. This is a completely practical component in which students are assessed on their ability to apply acting skills to accurately convey character, plot, style and atmosphere (Practical Performance – 20% of GCSE)

Component 3 – Interpreting Theatre – Students will answer a series of questions for their written exam. For section A, students will study a complete play text and consider how the play would be brought to life in a theatrical setting. Knowledge and understanding of acting, directing and design will be taught in a practical way. For section B, students will analyse and evaluate a live theatre production they have seen during the GCSE course.

(Written Examination – 20% of GCSE)