Drama

Drama Curriculum Overview 

In Drama, we create bright futures for all by providing our students with opportunities for self-expression through continued exploration of a wide range of cultures, experiences, perspectives, and the world in which we live.  

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Curriculum Statement: Values and Aims 

The Drama curriculum allows our students to develop multiple transferable skills in leadership, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. We believe that life transforming learning exists in the opportunities for our students to acquire an appreciation and understanding of how drama interplays with other art forms. Our students are provided with opportunities to develop both their performance skills and their theoretical knowledge of the subject through the study of a range of different genres and influential practitioners. They will be able to read, devise and perform, as well as develop deeper thinking skills such as analysis and evaluation.  

Finally, our curriculum creates cohesion and facilitates relationships across year groups and subject areas by creating space for the exploration of emotions, developing empathy and confidence, as well as an understanding of what it means to be a valued member of society. 

We ensure that our curriculum provide our students with opportunities to: 

• Perform, watch, review and evaluate drama across a range of genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great writers, technicians and performers  

• Understand and explore how drama is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions

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GCSE Drama 

Drama offers students the opportunity to combine practical application of skills with the written examination of knowledge and understanding. The course involves the study of a set play which is assessed by a written examination. To prepare for this and gain knowledge and understanding of the play, lessons will consist of practical exploration, as well as written analysis. Students also learn about the work of live theatre makers. 

The study of drama develops confidence, creativity, collaborative and communication skills. Students of drama gain the skills of problem solving, flexibility, empathy and risk-taking, all of which are recognised as vital in the workplace and throughout adult life. 

Course Outline: 

Unit 1: Devising Theatre - coursework 

• Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre based on either the work of a theatre practitioner or a genre in response to a stimulus set by Eduqas 

• Learners complete a portfolio based on the rehearsal process  

• Learners complete a written evaluation of the devised performance under formal supervision 

• Learners will be assessed on either acting or design 

• Learners work in groups of between two and five performers 

• Up to four additional learners, each working on a different design skill, may work with each performing group 

Unit 2: Performing Theatre - coursework 

• Learners will be assessed on either acting or design and participate in a performance based on two 10 - minute extracts from a performance text of their own choice 

• Learners work in groups of between two and four performers 

• Up to two additional learners, each working on a different design skill, may work with each performing group 

Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre - examination 

Section A: Set Text for assessment from 2024 onwards  

A series of questions on one set text explored as an actor, designer and director from a choice of seven:  

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare  

• The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams  

• Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter  

• Face by Benjamin Zephaniah  

• Lionboy Zizou Corder adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos  

• Resting Restless by Bethan Marlow  

• Tuesday by Alison Carr   

Section B: Live Theatre Review  

One question, requiring analysis and evaluation of one live theatre production seen during the course. 

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Progression routes

Students who complete a GCSE Drama qualification have developed skills as a performer, designer and creator. Students can progress to study A-Level Drama through an academic route or seek a more vocational further educational route through acting schools. Specific career pathways include: acting, writing, presentation, design and production.