Sixth Form Overview
Students aged 17-18 years old
Sixth Form Curriculum
Key Stage 5
Secondary Teachers
Meet the team
Students aged 17-18 years old
Key Stage 5
Meet the team
The specification engages and encourages students to become confident performers and designers with the skills they need for a bright and successful future. The written exam paper is designed to help all students realise their full potential. It uses a variety of question styles and asks students to combine what they’ve learned about how drama is performed with their practical experience and imagination.
We’ve built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best – participate in performance.
All students explore texts practically and work on two text-based performances.
Students can choose to develop as a:
Whichever option they choose, students can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand
their horizons.
Understanding drama
What’s assessed
Knowledge and understanding of drama
and theatre.
Study of one set play from a choice of six.
Analysis and evaluation of the work of live
theatre makers.
How it’s assessed
Written exam:
1 hour and 45 minutes
80 marks — 40 % of GCSE
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).
Devising drama (practical)
What’s assessed
Process of creating devised drama.
Performance of devised drama (students
may contribute as performer or designer).
Analysis and evaluation of own work.
How it’s assessed
Devising log (60 marks)
Devised performance
(20 marks)
80 marks in total
40 % of GCSE
This component is marked by
teacher
Texts in practice (practical)
What’s assessed
Performance of two extracts from
one play
(students may contribute as
performer or designer).
Free choice of play but it must
contrast with the set play chosen for
Component 1.
How it’s assessed
Performance of Extract 1
(20 marks) and Extract 2
(20 marks)
40 marks in total
20 % of GCSE
The specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to AS and A-level Drama and Theatre.
Students who go on to AS or A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for the written paper. They have built solid
foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and in interpreting key extracts. All of these aspects feature in the AS and A-level as well as the GCSE.
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