GCSE Course Content
GCSE Drama - AQA
Course Specification at a glance
Our GCSE students have 3 Drama lessons per week in years 10 and 11 which are a mixture of practical and written lessons. Our focus is always on the practical application of theatrical skills.
The course is split into 3 components:
- Component 1: Understanding Drama - A written exam on how students would use their acting and design skills to bring Blood Brothers to life and a review of a show they have seen, worth 40% of the GCSE grade.
- Component 2: Devising Drama - A coursework unit where students create their own devised performance and write about the process, worth 40% of the GCSE grade.
- Component 3: Texts in Practice - A performance exam in front of a visiting examiner where students perform two scripted extracts from published plays, worth 20% of the GCSE grade.
Students can choose to do acting or design (lighting, set, costume, sound, puppetry) for both their devised and scripted performances. All students learn and participate in both acting and design activities. Rehearsals for the performance elements can take place during lunch times or after school and students who attend these will often achieve higher grades. We offer coursework support after school once a week for students who want help or a quiet space to do their coursework and this turns into revision support for the written exam towards the end of year 11. We also take all students to the theatre at least once a year so that they can experience live theatre and write about the performance in their exam.
Further Information: Full Specification