A Level Drama Exam Info

The BTEC is delivered as four units over two years, with two units completed per year. In Year 12, pupils complete Unit One Investigating Practitioner's Work, which is an external assignment set and marked by the Edexcel examination board. Further to this, they will also complete Unit Two - Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance, an internal unit which is assessed through performance work and a portfolio of written evidence. In Year 13, pupils complete the final units, Unit Three - Group Performance Workshop, which is an external assignment set and marked by the examination board and one further unit chosen by staff to suit each cohort; this is currently Unit 22 Movement in Performance.

Unit One - Investigating Practitioner's Work: This unit expect pupils to conduct detailed research into two main practitioners of theatre, compiling a full bibliography as they go. Over a four week period, the students seek out performances, reviews, analyses and wider literature pertaining to the work and lives of two practitioners, considering their repertoire of work and their contextual setting. The final task of this unit expects students to complete three essays under timed and controlled conditions in response to three unseen questions about their study and research. This three hour session is the main component of their assessment, together with their bibliography compiled during the research time. The unit is designed to increase the core academic elements of the subject, increase external assessment opportunities and prepare students more effectively for the academic rigours of further education.

Unit Two - Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance: This unit expects pupils to build and develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of performance practice. This unit sees students instructed in a range of skills, considering aspects such as the History of Theatre, different theatrical styles and genres as well as more focussed aspects such as understanding how the voice is used and how phonetics can support performance. Assessment is through a significant portfolio created as the course is delivered and a final performance with documented reviews.

Unit Three - Group Performance Workshop: This unit expects pupils to create a unique piece of theatre based on a stimulus sent directly from the examination board. Pupils are given a set number of practical workshop hours in which to explore and create their work, which needs to be a 'work in progress'. At four key stages along the journey pupils will complete a 'Milestone' document reviewing and analysing their work and progress so far, which form a significant part of their final assessment by the examboard. A filmed copy of the performance together with other images completes the assessment material for this unit.