Drama

Key Stage 4 Guide

Edexcel 1DR0

Drama is a subject that is becoming increasingly valued by businesses who feel that our young people lack the confidence at interviews, or the ability to present. Within Drama you will not only study the craft of acting and theatre, but you will also learn extremely valuable transferrable skills, for example – collaboration, empathy, analysis, evaluation, deconstruction of a given subject and construction of performance pieces. You are able to perform but also work on production skills such as lighting, costume, sound and set/props.

Who is the course suitable for?

The course is suitable for those pupils who are interested in the creation of Drama as an art form, looking to pursue this as a career. It may also be for those who wish to demonstrate on their CV, an aptitude for creativity, good presentation, language skills, confidence and team working skills. You will like the course if you enjoy performing, being creative, working collaboratively with others, putting yourself in other people’s shoes, the dramatic process, reading plays, exploring topical issues and going to the theatre.

Please note:

• You will be filmed at points in the course for the examination process so you need to be comfortable with that.

• We explore a wide range of themes and issues; some are funny, some are moving, some are very thought provoking. You need to be prepared to think deeply about difficult situations and support others in doing so. You need to be open minded and respect different opinions to your own. • Most practical work is carried out in groups of varying sizes – you must feel comfortable working with all of your peers.

How will I be assessed?

All of the exam boards break the exam into 3 different components which you can see below. All of the boards will be based on the same format, the main difference being the choice of set texts. We will be using Edexcel Drama (2016 Specification)

Component 1: Devising

Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated

40% of qualification • Devised performance (created using a range of stimuli) - 15 marks

• Portfolio documenting the process and evaluation of performance– 45 marks

Drama (Continued)

Component 2: Performance from Text

Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner 20% of qualification • Performance of two extracts from one play (pupils may contribute as performer or designer) – 48 marks

• Can be a combination of monologue / duologue / group piece

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes

40% of the qualification – 60 marks

Section A: Bringing Texts to Life - 45 marks

This section consists of one question broken into five parts (short and extended responses) based on an unseen extract from the chosen performance text.

Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation - 15 marks

This section consists of two questions requiring students to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen. Students are allowed to bring in theatre evaluation notes of up to a maximum of 500 words.

Playwright

Arthur Miller

Written Exam Set Text Option

The Crucible

J B Priestley An Inspector Calls

Nikolai Gogol (adapted by David Harrower)

Government Inspector William Shakespeare Twelfth Night Diene Petterie, Neil Monaghan and Christopher Heimann 100 George Orwell, Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillian 1984 Jessica Swale Blue Stockings Dennis Kelly DNA

Extra-Curricular

Currently we run a four day trip to England to see a selection of pieces of live theatre in order for the pupils to fulfil the live theatre evaluation section of the exam. There is an extra cost for this.

We would also hope that all Drama pupils would join Drama Club and be part of the School production; all practical experience is beneficial. We will continue offering LAMDA qualifications also.