CURRICULUM SUBJECT

Drama

Taking the stage can be a small step for some and a massive leap for others. At Maida Vale School, Drama is something we want every pupil to experience, no matter the size of the part. Taking part in a dramatic production either in front of an audience or behind the scenes is a life changing experience – building confidence, developing new skills and achieving a sense of accomplishment.

Drama is a timetabled lesson for Year 7 so that all our students get a taste of this important discipline. Part of their lessons will be devising original work, spoken word as well as performing set pieces. Additionally Drama lessons concentrate on educating our students broader lessons about the craft including textual analysis, technical skills and directing. There are also frequent trips to see West End productions from Shakespeare to musicals.

All of our productions are performed in house. We have a large Theatre and stage on the top floor of the main building and a studio rehearsal space next door. The whole school production takes place in the summer term and is more or less 100% participation from all of our students.

GCSE Drama

Examination Board: AQA

Component 1: Understanding drama	What is assessed? • Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre • The study of one set play from a choice of six • Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers How is it assessed? Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes Open book 80 marks 40% of GCSE Questions Section A: multiple choice (4 marks) Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks) Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)
Component 2: Devising Drama (practical)	What is assessed? Process of creating devised drama and the performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer). Analysis and evaluation of own work. How is it assessed? Devising log (60 marks) Devised performance (20 marks) 80 marks in total 40% of GCSE
Component 3: Texts in practice (practical)	What is assessed? Performance of two extracts from one play (pupils may contribute as performer or designer). There is a free choice of play but it must contrast with the set play chosen for Component 1 How is it assessed? Performance of Extract 1 (20 marks) and Extract 2 (20 marks) 40 marks in total 20% of GCSE This component is marked by AQA.

Component 1: Understanding drama

What is assessed?
• Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
• The study of one set play from a choice of six
• Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

How is it assessed?
Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Open book
80 marks
40% of GCSE

Questions
Section A: multiple choice (4 marks)
Section B: four questions on a given extract from the set play chosen (44 marks)
Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (32 marks)

Component 2: Devising Drama (practical)

What is assessed? Process of creating devised drama and the performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer). Analysis and evaluation of own work.

How is it assessed?
Devising log (60 marks)
Devised performance (20 marks)
80 marks in total
40% of GCSE

Component 3: Texts in practice (practical)

What is assessed?
Performance of two extracts from one play (pupils may contribute as performer or designer). There is a free choice of play but it must contrast with the set play chosen for Component 1

How is it assessed?
Performance of Extract 1 (20 marks) and Extract 2 (20 marks)
40 marks in total
20% of GCSE

This component is marked by AQA.