Academic Drama

GCSE: The Drama GCSE course is split into two elements, 60% practical and 40% written examination under the AQA examination board.

Pupils are required to submit two marks for separate pieces of coursework for which the majority of students opt to choose Acting, although Set Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design are also available. One piece of coursework culminates in a scripted performance and the other a devised performance in which the students must write the piece themselves. Students will complete two pieces of coursework in the LV, and two pieces in the UV from which the two best marks will be chosen. Currently students in the UV look at the work of seminal playwright Arthur Miller and the LV Terence Rattigan, to be followed by work on adaptations of dark fairytales and Theatre in Education.

In the summer of the UV, pupils take a written examination which tests their understanding of their own performance and rehearsal techniques for both pieces of coursework. The pupils answer questions about the rehearsal process of their devised piece, and their understanding of their set text play studied for scripted performance.

Pupils on the GCSE course also visit the theatre regularly during the course to inspire their practical work. Recent theatre trips have included: '39 Steps', ‘Punk Rock’, 'Warhorse', 'Billy Elliot', ‘The Browning Version’, 'The Wild Bride’ and ‘Matilda’.
AS: The AQA Drama and Theatre Studies course at AS and A2 is split into two elements, 40% practical and 60% written examination, notably the opposite weightings to GCSE.

At AS, in preparation for the written paper, students study a set text play, currently ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen answering questions on their directorial and acting suggestions for the characters. Students also attend live theatre productions, recent theatre trips including: ‘Beautiful Burnout’, ‘Blackwatch’, ‘One Man Two Guvnors’, ‘Decade’ and ‘Lovesong’. These visits are in preparation for the other element of the written paper, in which the students must critically assess a performances success.

For the practical element of the AS Theatre Studies course, pupils study the work of a known theatre company or practitioner and perform an extract from a scripted play in that style. Currently students study the work of physical theatre company ‘Frantic Assembly’; work in class is supplemented by the company themselves who come into school to provide a workshop. The pupils rehearse and develop the performance, which is assessed by an external examiner.
A2: The A2 course looks at two set texts, one pre-20th century and one 20th century or contemporary. The former is studied in a similar way to AS, examining acting and directorial suggestions for the characters. The questions on the latter require the students to create a full theatrical interpretation of the text, and articulate their vision for the production. The A2 pupils continue to attend theatre visits with the AS pupils to further expand their own experience.

The practical element at A2 sees the pupils devise their own piece in a particular style, this means fully realising a production from concept to performance themselves. Currently, we look at ‘Verbatim theatre’, a contemporary style of political theatre which uses the actual word of politicians and celebrities, alongside public opinion to create a piece which examines a particular topic. Past successful productions examined the dangers of alcohol, and the student fee rise protests. The work is once again assessed by an external examiner.

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Academic Drama