Drama

Taught in: Year 7 - 11
Exam Board: AQA
MYP Criteria: A: Knowing and Understanding, B: Developing Skills, C: Thinking Creatively, D: Responding

Drama sits in the Communication Faculty, alongside Modern Foreign Languages, English Literature and English Language.

Preparation for Drama GCSE is begun right from the very first drama lesson. As students begin each new project so the next piece of scaffolding is put into place and thereafter each skill is used and built upon. By the time students reach Year 10 they have a good bank of skills and knowledge which will help them to explore themes, texts and mediums of drama in readiness for GCSE.

Year 7-9 topics include: Team work and co-operation, characterisation skills, dramatic atmosphere and tension, improvisation skills, script based projects including Shakespeare and modern day texts.

AQA Drama GCSE

Unit 1 – 42401
Written Paper – 1 hour 30 minutes - 80 marks – 40%

The written paper comprises three sections:
A – Practical work completed during the course
B – Study and performance of a scripted play
C – Study of a live theatre production seen.

Candidates must answer Question 1 from Section A and choose one further question from either Section B or Section C.

The written paper assesses Assessment Objectives 1 and 3, with relative weightings of 20% and 20% respectively.

Unit 2 – 42402
Practical Work 120 marks – 60%

Candidates are required to present practical work for two controlled assessment options, each with a weighting of 30% (60 marks each).

Controlled assessment options:
1 Devised Thematic Work
2 Acting
3 Improvisation
4 Theatre in Education
5 Physical Theatre
6 Set Design
7 Costume
8 Make-up
9 Properties
10 Masks
11 Puppets
12 Lighting
13 Sound
14 Stage Management

Each controlled assessment option assesses Assessment Objectives 1 and 2 with the following weighting:

1. Process and understanding of skills development (AO1) – 7.5%
2. Final presentation: either performance or demonstration/artefact(s) (AO2) – 22.5%

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