Year 10

WJECDrama

Introduction
 In Year 10 GCSE Drama is an optional subject.  In GSCE Drama students will learn about both Drama as a process, which is all about understanding what it is like to put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, and they will also learn about Drama as a Performing Art.  They will play many parts in different imaginary situations. They will have the opportunity to create their own work as well as look at plays written and performed by other people.
Skills Needed
Students will enjoy this course if they want to study a subject that is both practical and creative. They may have done some acting before or helped out backstage on a  production. They may have always wanted to have a go at directing, acting, making costumes, creating a lighting plan or building a set, but never had the chance. Now Students will enjoy the course if they enjoy working as part of a team as Drama involves a lot of group work.
Curriculum organisation
In Year 10 students receive three periods of Drama per week and are taught in a mixed ability  group. 
Independent Study
It is an expectation of the Drama department that students will keep a diary of their Drama activities which will be written up following every lesson.  The expectation is that students will spend a minimum of three hours a week on independent study for Drama.  Some of this will be directed homework set by the teacher while the rest will be independent research and study, wider reading or rehearsals.  Students are expected to complete a log of these hours at the end of each week and provide some tangible evidence of these independent study hours.

Once a rehearsal schedule has been negotiated students are expected to stick to it.  Drama students are expected to prioritise their rehearsal schedules over their social lives.

Assessment and reporting
Marking is diagnostic though GCSE grades are given for individual assessments and reviewed with the pupils on a regular basis.  Individual subject teachers will set appropriate assessment tasks throughout the course. However, six standardised assessments are made during the course of the year, details of which are contained in the curriculum outline below. Assessment is a planned part of every lesson, and self-assessment is part of every pupil’s normal pattern of working in drama.  A baseline assessment of all Year 10 pupils is conducted at the beginning of the autumn term.  This will help your child’s Drama teacher to accurately monitor your child’s development throughout the year and to set appropriate and meaningful goals for them.

Extra-curricular Opportunities

• Students are expected to participate in the annual whole school show either as performers or in a technical capacity.

• Theatre visits are organised when appropriate pieces of theatre are staged locally.

Year Ten Course Description

The Year Ten course is taught as three units of work, each lasting approximately one term.

Introduction to GCSE

Drama Exploration 1: Scripted Drama

• Standard Assessment 1: Theatre review

Students will explore a text from a practical point of view before seeing the play in performance and completing a written theatre review.  The text for this year is The Woman in Black adapted by Stephen Mallatrat from the novel by Susan Hill.

• Standard assessment 2: Performance of a monologue based upon the text

Drama Exploration 2: Devised Drama & Improvisation

• Standard Assessment 3: Perform an original scripted play devised by the group. Perform an improvisation on a theme given by the teacher related to the original script.

• Standard Assessment 4: A portfolio of  written work based on unit 2.

Performing Text: Practical exploration & preparation for examination

• Standard Assessment 5 : Exploration of a set text. The text this year will be Joe Standerline’s “Stonecold”

• Standard Assessment 6 : Written examination                                        Candidates will sit a 50 minute written examination. They will be assessed on    their ability to analyse one set text as an actor, designer and director.

Extension opportunity: Trinity Guildhall Grade examinations in January & May

Useful websites;
www.theatrehistory.com
www.gradesaver.com
www.doollee.com
www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/reviews/index.htm
www.guardian.co.uk/theatre/drama

WJEC GCSE IN DRAMA
Overview of the Specification

UNIT ONE: 60%
Devised Practical Performance

TASK ONE – 40% Devised Performance
Candidates will devise a practical performance based on a theme, linked with a practitioner or genre.

• Candidates may choose either acting or a theatre design skill;
• If candidates select theatre design in this task, they must select acting in the performance from a text (externally assessed);
• Teachers record the work on DVD/Video;
• Internally assessed;
• Externally moderated together with task two in February.

TASK TWO: 20%
Devised Performance Report
Candidates will complete a written report of the practical work they completed in Task One, under formal supervision. The report should include details of live performances candidates have seen, that have influenced their practical work; details on decision making, the inclusion of technical elements and the content of the piece and an evaluation of their own work and that of the group; This task is internally assessed and externally moderated with task one in February.

UNIT TWO: 20%
Performance from a Text

Candidates will be assessed on either their acting or a theatre design skill, in a scene from a published play.

• Candidates will work in groups of between 2 to 5 members;
• No more than two design candidates per group, each working on a different skill;
• If candidates select theatre design in this unit, they must select acting in the devised practical    performance (controlled assessment);
• Externally assessed by a visiting examiner in April/May.

UNIT THREE: 20%
Written Examination
Candidates will sit a 1 ¼ hour written examination. They will be assessed on their ability to analyse one set text as an actor, designer and director and to evaluate practical work completed in unit two.
Externally assessed in June