Drama

GCSE Course

The AQA specification for Drama allows for a wide range of creative expression, testing candidates' performance skills through practical work and their analysis of performance in a written examination. With its balance of practical and written work, it is a good preparation for A Level.

Practical coursework examinations in the form of performances are taken in November and February of the Upper Fifth, while the written paper is tackled in the summer of the Lower Fifth and may be resat the following year. However, from September 2012, this will change in accordance with government policy and all papers will be taken in the Upper Fifth.

Lower Fifth (Year 10)

In preparation for the practical examinations of the Upper Fifth, the first year of the course is spent exploring a variety of theatrical styles and finding ways to enable the pupils to see themselves as performers working with a common goal. We also aim to see a wide variety of plays, both in local and London theatres, as well as in our own studio theatre at Montague Place.

At the end of the Lower Fifth year, there is an informal performance evening when both teaching groups show some of their work to friends and parents.

Upper Fifth (Year 11)

The coursework element consists of two different practical projects, assessed in November and February of the Upper Fifth.

The first of these will be a a piece of theatre made by the pupils themselves. The work is conceived by the whole set, led by the teacher and made collaboratively. In past years, there have been theatrical explorations of death, dating agencies, school fiction, obsession, nightmares and institutionalisation. We have been inspired by such influences as Shunt, Punchdrunk, Fevered Sleep, Pirandello, Neilson and others.

The second piece of practical work is the performance, in groups, of pre-published scripts. In past years, pupils have performed works by Shakespeare, Miller, Pinter, Cartwright, Schimmelpfennig, Orton, Max Frisch and others.

The written examination requires pupils to write a detailed evaluation of a piece of theatre they have made and to respond to a piece of theatre seen over the course. Questions cover such areas as acting skills, design, technical elements and audience response.

Trips

Not only can pupils expect to be taken to see a variety of plays , but the theatre comes to us!  Shows that have won awards at teh Edinburgh Fringe and elsewhere have come to our studion theatre in Montague and provide a great opportunity for pupils to meet, question, and on occasion work with professional actors.