Subject Choices for GCSE CO R E S U B J E C T S
O P T I O N S / T WO
Drama
Drama
This subject offers an exciting and different challenge. In addition to learning about acting, directing and the
have to ‘own’ their work. We teach, supervise and
design elements of theatre, you will reflect on the value
support but ultimately in Drama, you learn to take
and potential of the Arts in our society and develop a
responsibility for managing your time and level of
wide range of vital skills such as:
commitment: a crucial part of your preparation for
Leadership and teamwork: negotiation and effective
success in any subject at A level.
communication; Releasing creativity: being prepared to explore
Drama GCSE provides an obvious foundation for taking
physically and intellectually;
A Level Theatre Studies, but clearly helps you develop
Improvisation: responding to challenges and learning to
skills which are necessary more generally to succeed
be flexible;
academically. Studying Drama also helps you become
Time management:
confident and effective in so many other useful ways,
planning carefully for a successful outcome.
which will support your development throughout your life.
As you will realise from the above, to be successful at
COMPONENT 1: DEVISING (40%)
this level in Drama it is crucial to enjoy working with others; the achievement of each individual depends more than anything on how well the members of
You will perform in an original piece of theatre
a group work together. On this course, you will be
which has been created and developed by your
encouraged to improve and develop your performance
group from a stimulus given to you by your
skills with particular focus on physical and vocal
teachers. This performance will be marked by
techniques, through improvised drama and also
your teachers but the video will be moderated
scripted work. Being able to share and explore your
by Edexcel examiners (15 marks available for the
thoughts and feelings about important issues facing
performance). You will keep a log book of your
society today will be important when you are called
process which will then become your written
upon to devise an original piece of theatre. Producing a
coursework. This will detail the creative process
play for performance is an exhilarating - often difficult
you have gone through and will also evaluate the
- process and you should understand that this can
success of the work you have done (45 marks
be a mentally, physically and emotionally demanding
available for the written coursework).
subject.
COMPONENT 2: PERFORMANCE (20%) It is often surprising to the students taking GCSE Drama, just how much they are required to engage
You will be put into groups and will study, rehearse
with so many of the many challenges facing society
and perform two key extracts (10 minutes each)
in this moment – politically, socially and economically.
from a play chosen by us. Each group can perform
The academic ability of the students at WHS is well
extracts from different plays. You will perform in
known, but to achieve in any subject at A level and
front of a visiting examiner from Edexcel. You have
be competitive for the best universities it is vital that
to provide the visiting examiner with 200 words
you engage with the more difficult questions and
explaining the intention of your performance(s)
dilemmas facing society, and reflect on who has the
before his or her visit.
power to make a difference. From GCSE onwards, the Drama department pushes you to engage with these issues. Another aspect of Drama which students find challenging but ultimately satisfying is the way they
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