Year 12

Edexcel Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Drama and Theatre Studies: 8DR01

Edexcel’s GCE in Drama and Theatre Studies comprises four units and contains an Advanced Subsidiary subset of two units.  The Advanced Subsidiary GCE is the first half of the GCE course and consists of Units 1 & 2.  It may be awarded as a discrete qualification or contribute 50% of the total Advanced GCE marks.

The aims of the AS GCE in Drama and Theatre Studies are to encourage students to:

• Develop their interest and enjoyment in drama and theatre both as participants and as informed members of an audience, fostering an enthusiasm for and critical appreciation of the subject.
• Develop understanding and appreciation of the significance of social, cultural and historical influences on the development of drama and theatre
• Experience a range of opportunities to develop a variety of dramatic and theatrical skills, enabling them to grow creatively and imaginatively in both devised and scripted work
• Integrate theory and practice through their understanding of critical concepts and the discriminating use of specialist terminology

Curriculum organisation
In Year 12 students receive six periods of Drama per week and are taught in a mixed ability group.  The main course book used is
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 six 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 examination grades (A-E) are given for individual assessments. Progress is reviewed with the pupils on a regular basis.  Individual subject teachers will set appropriate assessment tasks throughout the course. However, three coursework assessments and two examination 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 12 pupils is conducted at the beginning of the autumn term.  This will help your child’s Drama teachers to accurately monitor your child’s development throughout the year and to set appropriate and meaningful goals for them.

Year Twelve Course Description

The Year Twelve course consists of two units of work.

UNIT ONE: 20%
DA1: Practical Performance

Unit title: Performance workshop
For this unit Candidates will either act in a group or contribute their chosen technical production skill to a performance from a set text and a devised piece.  They will work on the ideas of two practitioners.

This unit is externally marked.

UNIT  TWO: 30%
DA2:Written Paper (2 hours)

Unit title: Text in performance (Open text examination)
Candidates will answer three questions:
• One pre-1900 text from a prescribed list
• One post-1900 text from a prescribed list
• Live theatre review

This unit is externally marked.

Extension opportunity:
Trinity Guildhall examinations in Speech & Drama grades 6-8

Extra-curricular Opportunities

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

• Students are able to extend their Drama skills by taking Trinity Guildhall Examinations in complementary studies

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

Useful websites:
www.theatrehistory.com
www.gradesaver.com
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk