DRAMA

Year 9 Course Outline

In Year 9, pupils take part in a wide range of Drama activities in lessons including improvisation, devised work, and scripted drama. There are also opportunities for some technical exploration of the use and effect of sound and lighting. The majority of the work is practical and performance based, but written work is also set, in the form of rehearsal diaries and termly essays, to evaluate pupils’ own practical work or to review a production which they have seen. There is an opportunity to perform in the dedicated Years 9-10 Spring Term production, as well as take part in other projects such as the Shakespeare Schools Festival in the Autumn Term, and Portsmouth Festivities. The annual whole school production has also featured many Year 9 pupils in the past.

Years 10 and 11 Course Outline

The AQA Drama course offers a range of performance and technical options in which the GCSE group will build and develop their skills, working towards the performance of two scripted extracts and an original devised piece. Alongside the latter pupils will complete coursework in the shape of a Devising Log. There is also a written examination at the end of the course which focuses on knowledge of drama vocabulary, interpretation of a set text, and analysis of a live production (seen during the course). The department organises theatre trips locally, remotely and to London to ensure that pupils see a good range of styles of theatre.

As for Year 9, there is an opportunity for Year 10 pupils to perform in the dedicated Years 9-10 Spring Term Production and at Ports Fest. Both years would also be able to take part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival in the Autumn Term. The annual whole school production has also featured many Year 10 and 11 pupils in the past.

Skills Required and Developed

Pupils should enjoy working with others creatively and collaboratively, reading play scripts and going to the theatre. Drama develops a wide range of physical, social and communication skills. Pupils also learn to think critically about Drama and learn to write about their own work and that of others, so they should be prepared to analyse and evaluate on paper.

Assessment

The GCSE course is 30% practical and 70% written: 40% is Component 1, the written exam – “Understanding Drama”, 40% is Component 2, the devised piece – “Devising Drama” (30% Devising Log, 10% performance); and 20% is Component 3, the scripted piece – “Texts in practice”.

Beyond the Classroom

PGS offers a very broad range of Drama from the school production at the Kings Theatre, New Theatre Royal, and the Upper School play through to House Drama, Shakespeare Schools Festival and Portsmouth Festivities projects. All pupils are encouraged to take part in co-curricular Drama either as performers or as part of the large stage crew organised by our Theatre Technician. There are many opportunities for pupils to see live productions and to participate in Drama trips within the UK and abroad. LAMDA is currently run up to and including Year 9, and Arts Award is available for all year groups from Year 9 upwards.

Further Information

Mr J F Robinson, Director of Drama, Tel 023 9236 0036 (ext. 357), Email j.robinson@pgs.org.uk

Exam Board Website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/drama/gcse