Course Guide

The A Level Drama course will be made up of three key components; Drama and Theatre, Creating original Drama and Making Theatre. Students will be required to study two complete and substantial performance texts and three key extracts from a range of texts spanning different social, historical and cultural periods in theatrical history. Two theatre practitioners are studied from a practical perspective. The focus will be on exploring their artistic intentions, their working methods and collaborations and applying them through practical exploration.

Component 1: Drama and Theatre

This component focuses on knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre. Students study in detail two set texts and are asked to analyse and evaluate the work of live theatre. As a Drama Department we aim to visit the theatre at least twice every term. This component is assessed at the end of the course with a three hour written paper

Component 2: Creating Original Drama

This is a practical component asking students to create their own devised performance that is influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner, chosen by the teacher.  This work is assessed internally.

Component 3: Making Theatre

Students are assessed on practically exploring and interpreting three published plays. Students are asked to use their understanding and methodologies of a theatre practitioner and apply that to their extract three performance, which is assessed by an external examiner. Students write a reflective report, using a holistic approach, analysing and evaluating their theatrical interpretation of all three extracts.

This A Level is explored practically and theoretically. Students have opportunities to visit professional productions, at a reduced price, to develop greater insight into live theatre. We organise talks from professionals who have chosen a career path in Drama that allow students an opportunity to ask direct questions about their jobs. The Drama course aims to help students make decisions about University and further education. Students also have an opportunity to display their talents by performing in school productions and House Drama competitions.

The AQA Drama course refines students’ collaborative skills, their analytical thinking and their approach to research. Students grow in confidence and maturity as they successfully work on their own creative ideas. Students learn to evaluate objectively and develop a sound appreciation of the influences that cultural and social contexts can have on decision making. Whatever the future holds, students of Alevel Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills preparing them for their next steps.