Drama - Key Stage 4
The brand new and revised GCSE in drama is an exciting, challenging and rigorous course that includes:
- Practical exploration of modern and classic plays
- Academic study of how texts can by interpreted and staged
- Devising new dramatic work
- Understanding drama practitioners, styles, traditions and modern theatre
- Learning skills in acting, movement, directing, staging and technical areas
- Evaluating live performance seen in professional theatre settings
Ready to join Team Drama?
Successful GCSE drama students are committed, disciplined, creative, supportive, resourceful, independent and energetic. GCSE drama can also be a great choice for students who are keen to improve their confidence. GCSE drama students put in extra time for rehearsals, at lunch and after school. Group rehearsals will often be set as homework, in place of written work.
Where could Team Drama take you?
- GCSE drama students can progress to the A-level Drama & Theatre studies course at Moulsham. Many former GCSE drama students have gone onto higher education courses in acting, drama, theatre studies and performing arts and further success in the industry, while many others use the skills and confidence learning in drama to find success in other fields.
- Drama is big business. The creative industries are some of the few sectors that have continued to perform well. The Olympic ceremonies, Cultural Olympiad and subsequent events are shining examples of how the UK leads the world in the arts.
- But… GCSE drama isn’t just about training actors. Colleges, universities and employers value good communication skills, an ability to consider other people’s points of view, excellent team skills, self-motivated learners, organisational skills and self-confidence. All of these can be evidenced by success in GCSE drama.
- Asked if he valued only the traditional, academic subjects, Mike Nicholson (Admissions Tutor at Oxford University) said: "If anything, with GCSEs, we much prefer students to have high grades across a range of subjects". Drama is proven to be respected by a range of degree courses outside of the arts, such as law.
- Where nobody can know what sort of jobs will be out there in the future, creative and flexible individuals will be the ones who adapt and succeed.
- Drama can support your learning in other subjects, particularly English, history, citizenship and media studies, either through our approach to thematic work or the way students will come to understand the science of communication theory.
What will I be doing in lessons?
Your GCSE drama lessons will be mostly practical, but you will also have dedicated written lessons where you will build on your reflective and evaluative skills. You will learn to keep records of your practical work which will form the basis for your coursework. You will also complete context research to help demonstrate your devising process you answer the questions in your written exam.
You will learn about how to devise your own drama in groups, using ideas from traditional theatre practitioners, such as Brecht or Artaud, as well as modern theatre companies, such as Frantic Assembly or Splendid Productions.
You will perform group extracts, monologues, and duologues from published plays, taking part in a drama showcase, seen by a visiting examiner.
To prepare for the written exam you will study a play from a list of set texts such as Blood Brothers. The work will be a mixture of practical exploration and written responses, focused on how texts can be rehearsed and performed. You will also go on theatre trips and evaluate live theatre performances, such as The Woman in Black.
How is the course assessed?
At Moulsham we follow the exciting new specification for GCSE drama offered by OCR.
| Components | Description | When? | Assessment | % of exam |
| 1 and 2 | Devising Drama | Year 10 Term 3 |
Create a devised performance with an accompanying portfolio about the process. Internally assessed. | 30% |
| 3 and 4 | Presenting and Performing Texts | Year 11 Terms 1 and 2 |
Take part, as a performer or designer, in a drama showcase, using extracts from published plays. Externally assessed. | 30% |
| 5 | Performance and response – the written exam | Year 11 Terms 2 and 3 |
Section A: questions about one set text. Short and medium length answers. Section B: Evaluate live theatre |
40% |
How can I find out more?
- Speak to your drama teachers. They will be delighted to tell you about the course and whether it’s right for you.
- Go to ocr.org.uk and look up the resources for GCSE Drama 9-1.
- Watch previous GCSE drama exam performances at YouTube.com/MoulshamPerfArts
- Follow our social media profiles for news, announcements and stories about the arts.
- Speak to our current cohorts in Years 10 and 11. Students are proud and excited to be part of Team Drama and they'd love to tell you all about what they do.