Drama

Drama and Theatre Studies is an exciting subject. It is a chance for students to gain confidence, discover who they are, and learn more about the world around them. Our Drama department is built around a set of core values: every student should have opportunities to ‘create, perform and respond’ in a supportive, creative environment. Students work as performers, and as directors, learning the invaluable skills of collaboration and creativity. At all levels, they are supported by staff to challenge themselves and create high quality practical work. Students learn about the discipline of performance; working in front of a live audience, and responding to the demands of this. In addition they learn the value of critiquing their own work, and giving feedback to others.

Key Stage 3

Drama is taught one hour a week throughout Years 7 – 8 and is a popular subject. Over these two years, the students learn the foundation of performance. Developing and applying their skills of collaborative group work, performance and evaluation. Practical exploration is at the heart of our lessons, which students thrive on.

Key Stage 4

At GCSE we follow the Edexcel course. Students deepen their understanding of drama and theatre, honing their performance and evaluation skills. We study at least 2 plays in depth, explore theatre practitioners and tackle challenging issue-based topics to develop students devising skills alongside a wider view of the world. The GCSE has 3 components. A devising section, performance of a scripted extract and finally a written exam including a review of a live piece of theatre.

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/drama-2016.html

Key Stage 5

At A Level we follow the Edexcel course. Students study a range of texts and practitioners through challenging practical and written tasks. The exam consists of 3 components. A devising section based on a professional play script & practitioner, a performance section based on a 2^nd text, a written section based on a 3^rd text and different practitioner. plus a review of live theatre that the students have seen.

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-2016.html

Beyond the classroom drama opportunities are plentiful. Each year we have exam performances from GSCE and A Level groups. Weekly drama clubs, a yearly school production, participation in the National Connections and the Cornish Showcase. Plus the opportunity to visit local theatres in Plymouth and Truro.

A Level course outline

AS LEVEL AND A LEVEL DRAMA OVERVIEW

AS	A LEVEL
Component 1: Exploration and Performance 60% THERE ARE 3 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT. GROUP PERFORMANCE OF A SCRIPT EXTRACT -32 MARKS MONOLOGUE/DUOLOGUE FROM A SECOND SCRIPT EXTRACT-16 MARKS PORTFOLIO 2000 – 2500 WORDS-48 MARKS	Component 1: Devising 40% THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT DEVISED PERFORMANCE PIECE. USING AN EXTRACT FROM A SCRIPT AND A THEATRE PRACTITIONER AS STIMULI. - 20 MARKS A PORTFOLIO - 60 MARKS
Component 2: Theatre Makers in Practice 40% 1 HOUR 45 MINUTE WRITTEN EXAM IN 2 PARTS SECTION A – LIVE THEATRE EVALUATION -16 MARKS SECTION B - 2 EXTENDED QUESTIONS, BASED ON A SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A PERFORMER. - 32 MARKS	Component 2: Text in Performance 20% THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT GROUP PERFORMANCE OF A SCRIPT EXTRACT -36 MARKS MONOLOGUE/DUOLOGUE FROM A SECOND SCRIPT EXTRACT-24 MARKS
	Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice 40% 2 HOUR 45 MINUTE WRITTEN EXAM SECTION A: LIVE THEATRE EVALUATION- 20 MARKS ANALYSE AND EVALUATE A LIVE THEATRE PERFORMANCE SECTION B: PAGE TO STAGE: REALISING A PERFORMANCE TEXT - 36 MARKS EXTENDED QUESTIONS, BASED ON A SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A PERFORMER. SECTION C: INTERPRETING A PERFORMANCE TEXT 24 MARKS ONE EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTION, BASED ON THE SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A DIRECTOR LINKED TO A CHOSEN THEATRE PRACTITIONER

A LEVEL

Component 1:
Exploration and Performance 60%
THERE ARE 3 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT.

GROUP PERFORMANCE OF A SCRIPT EXTRACT -32 MARKS

MONOLOGUE/DUOLOGUE FROM A SECOND SCRIPT EXTRACT-16 MARKS

PORTFOLIO 2000 – 2500 WORDS-48 MARKS

Component 1:
Devising 40%
THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT

DEVISED PERFORMANCE PIECE. USING AN EXTRACT FROM A SCRIPT AND A THEATRE PRACTITIONER AS STIMULI. - 20 MARKS

A PORTFOLIO - 60 MARKS

Component 2:
Theatre Makers in Practice 40%
1 HOUR 45 MINUTE WRITTEN EXAM IN 2 PARTS

SECTION A – LIVE THEATRE EVALUATION -16 MARKS

SECTION B - 2 EXTENDED QUESTIONS, BASED ON A SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A PERFORMER. - 32 MARKS

Component 2:
Text in Performance 20%
THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE ASSESSMENT

GROUP PERFORMANCE OF A SCRIPT EXTRACT -36 MARKS

MONOLOGUE/DUOLOGUE FROM A SECOND SCRIPT EXTRACT-24 MARKS

Component 3:
Theatre Makers in Practice 40%
2 HOUR 45 MINUTE WRITTEN EXAM

SECTION A: LIVE THEATRE EVALUATION- 20 MARKS

ANALYSE AND EVALUATE A LIVE THEATRE PERFORMANCE

SECTION B: PAGE TO STAGE: REALISING A PERFORMANCE TEXT - 36 MARKS

EXTENDED QUESTIONS, BASED ON A SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A PERFORMER. SECTION C: INTERPRETING A PERFORMANCE TEXT 24 MARKS ONE EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTION, BASED ON THE SET TEXT. RESPONSES ARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF A DIRECTOR LINKED TO A CHOSEN THEATRE PRACTITIONER

Next steps

Having studied A Level Theatre studies you will not only have had an exciting 2 years of education but gained a comprehensive set of transferable skills. Self-confidence, public speaking and analytical skills, self-discipline and an ability to handle criticism are just a few. You will be accomplished at working in teams and able to offer creative solutions to challenging situations. This qualification can therefore lead to a wide range of careers, not only in theatre.