DRAMA GCSE

Exam Board: EDEXCEL Specification Code: 1DRO

Course Overview

In GCSE Drama, pupils explore a range of drama as a practical art form, and work independently to create their own drama performances, making informed artistic choices. The qualification allows pupils to study drama in an academic setting, interrogating this art form and applying their knowledge and understanding to the process of creating and developing drama and applying this to their own performance work. Students taking drama need to be confident performers.

The GCSE Drama course will help create independent pupils, critical thinkers and effective decision-makers, all personal attributes that can make pupils stand out as they progress through education and into employment.

All pupils are required in year ten to create, develop and perform with energy, commitment and focus a minimum of three pieces of theatre.

One is a devised piece, lasting 20 minutes, made in response to three pieces of stimulus set by the teacher. This part of the course includes a written portfolio of 2000 words evaluating and analysing the process of creating the piece.

The second acting project happens in Year 11 and involves pupils in two extracts from a published play and then performing them.

The written exam requires pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed, directed, designed and performed through the study of a performance text and through their evaluation and analysis of live theatre that we have been to see.

Examination Arrangements

40% practical with internally assessed portfolio, 20% practical performance of two parts of a play, 40% written examination.