Drama

The school offers GCSE and A-Level courses in Drama.

This is a two year course which is largely practical. It consists of:

Two units of Drama Coursework (60%)

Unit 1: Six one hour workshops based on stimulus material. The material will be used to initiate the preparation of a piece of theatre devised by the group. Assessment will be based upon practical work in the sessions and upon written coursework relating to it.

Unit 2: Six one hour workshops based upon a play text. The text will be explored practically for its theatrical potential. Assessment will be based upon practical work in the sessions and upon coursework based on the practical sessions and on the live performance.

One Unit of Drama in Performance (40%)

Unit 3: A theatrical piece will be prepared for performance to an examiner and audience. This may be a devised performance, a text in performance or a combination of the two.

There will, of necessity, be a limit to the number of pupils who can take this course. Obviously those who have demonstrated a natural aptitude, or particular interest, in the subject, in curricular drama or school productions, will be well placed to take the subject to GCSE. A desire or willingness to act is absolutely essential. Some rehearsal time will be outside normal school hours.

It is our policy to take theatre trips as frequently as practical, usually two or three per term. Parents are asked to be aware that the theatre visits are integral to the course and thus some extra expense will be incurred.

DRAMA AS/A2 (edexcel)

This subject is an ideal supplement to literature A Levels, e.g. English, French, German etc, but may well serve to leaven a science or humanities based set of A Level choices by giving opportunity for creative activity. It is a natural progression from GCSE Drama, but it is not essential to have taken that course.

The AS Level course is designed with performance in mind, not only as a means of study, but also of assessment. It includes coursework, performance and workshop experimentation.

The A2 course gives more opportunity for assessed performance / moderated written coursework. It also requires the theoretical preparation of a set play for performance and an evaluation of a play currently in production and the placing of it in its historical context. These are subject to external written examination.

There cannot be unlimited numbers of places on the course, so, if necessary, preferences will be shown to those who clearly demonstrate a desire to make the most of an essentially practical, performance-based subject. You must want to act at least to the level of school productions if you are to enjoy and succeed in this subject.