Drama

Head of Department: Mr T S Edwards – tse@barneyschool.org.uk
Exam board: WJEC Eduqas
Qualification name: Drama and Theatre Studies
Qualification codes: GCSE 601/8420/6

Introduction
This is an exciting new GCSE (9-1) course – the first awarding body accredited which offers learners the opportunity to create fresh and challenging original theatre, as well as interpreting classic texts, with 60% of the course assessed via practical work, both internally and externally assessed.  The written paper requires students to respond to a complete drama text as well as a variety of live theatre experienced throughout the course. Through their studies, learners will appreciate a broad variety of theatre practitioners, genres and historical and cultural contexts, and work collaboratively to develop ideas to communicate meaning and experiment with dramatic conventions, forms and techniques to produce and realise original theatre. This syllabus encourages the exploration of wider universal issues, in line with PSHEE issues, promoting students’ understanding of themselves as individuals, and the world around them.

Specification at a glance
Component 1: Devising Theatre
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated (40% of GCSE)
Learners are required to devise a piece of original theatre in response to a stimulus, using either the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or the characteristics of a genre of drama. Learners will produce a realisation of their piece of devised theatre, a portfolio of supporting evidence and an evaluation of the final performance or design.
Component 2: Performing from a Text
Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner (20% of GCSE)
Learners study two extracts from the same performance text chosen by the centre, and participate in one performance using sections of text from both extracts.
In Components 1 and 2, learners are given the opportunity to develop acting and/or design skills.
Component 3: Interpreting Theatre
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes (40% of GCSE)
A series of question on a set text, and a live theatre response question.   

What Drama can do for you
Studying a broad range of exciting texts will allow the learners to develop their performance skills, confidence and ability to approach sensitive material with a mature and insightful attitude, useful skills in all walks of life.