Drama and Theatre

What does GCSE Drama offer me?

“We must all do theatre to find out who we are and to discover who we could become.’ Augusto Boal

The challenges presented by GCSE drama are diverse – girls can opt to take the course as performers or designers (with a choice to specialise as a designer for set/stage, light, sound or costume/props). They study set plays, devise their own material and complete a written examination to show their knowledge of drama and the theatre. As part of the course, each half term girls are taken to a professional production to prepare them for the live theatre evaluation section of the examination. They also have the opportunity to take part in workshops delivered by visiting theatre companies and practitioners.

This course is taught on a co-educational basis with MTBS. This gives the students more options when it comes to their scripted and devised performances, along with allowing them the opportunity to work alongside their GCSE counterparts.

What does the course entail?

AQA GCSE Drama 18261 - Specification www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama/gcse/drama-8261

The subject content for GCSE Drama is divided into three components (in the practical components students may specialize in performing, lighting, sound, set, costume and/or puppets):

Component 1 Understanding Drama

What’s assessed

•Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

•Study of one set play from a choice of six

•Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Component 2 Devising Drama (practical)

What’s assessed

•Process of creating devised drama

80 Marks 40% of GCSE

80 marks 40% of GCSE

•Performance Of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer)

•Creation of a devising log to analyse and evaluate this process

Component 3 Texts in practice (practical)

What’s assessed

40 marks 20% of GCSE

•Performance of two extracts from one play (students may contribute as performer or designer)

[Free choice of play but it must contrast With the set play chosen for Component 1]

Beyond GCSE

Despite studies in Drama and the Creative Arts leading to increased self-esteem, confidence and communication skills, it has been a long-held misconception that there are few viable career options available for the future. This is not the case. ‘The creative industries, for nearly a decade are the fastest-growing part of the economy. UK’s creative industries contribute almost £90 bn net to GDP. It accounts for one in 11 jobs, a rate rising more quickly than all other parts of the economy. These jobs are also among the least likely to be lost to automation.’ (‘Creative Industries are Key to UK Economy’ The Guardian 1st January 2019).

Curriculum enrichment

In order to stretch and challenge drama pupils, workshops are arranged regularly with industry professionals and specialists. Students attend drama technical, costume and puppetry workshops at LIPA, devising sessions with award winning physical theatre company, Frantic Assembly and pre-performance workshops at the Liverpool Everyman and Unity theatre’s. Girls also have the opportunity to take LAMDA’s acting course alongside their GCSE studies. Depending on numbers and timetable, it may be possible to offer Drama GCSE as a 10th GCSE option.