Drama at St Paul's

At St Paul’s Academy, the Drama department is committed to equipping our students with skills that are applicable both as performers and as citizens in the wider world.

Students are encouraged to collaborate, exploring a variety of plays and texts and creating original works based on diverse stimuli. They will experience a wide range of dramatic works and learn how drama skills can be applied outside as well as inside the theatre.

Throughout their drama studies, students will have the opportunity to attend live theatrical performances, which will enhance their passion and appreciation for the subject even further. The drama curriculum is designed to foster greater self-belief, cooperative working with others, and the confidence to experiment with new ideas.

Theatre trips are carefully chosen to complement the current topics of study, and it is expected that all students will have attended a live theatre performance before their Year 11 examinations. Opportunities for performance include student-written and directed pieces, termly assessments, and co-productions with external companies.

GCSE Drama

What will I study?

GCSE drama is a fantastic opportunity to ap­proach your learning differently, to develop as a collaborator and to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural world. 
Employers, as well as colleges and universities, will look favourably upon anyone with a GCSE in Drama; it shows you are an effective communica­tor with a good level of interpersonal and creative skills. You will get the opportunity to create your own theatre piece as a group, perform characters from existing texts and get the chance to watch and analyse live theatre.

 
What skills will I develop? 

Students will learn about the techniques of key drama practitioners and implement them in their own work. There will be a study of classical and contemporary plays and how these can be per­formed in different settings through practical and theoretical sessions. GCSE drama students will also develop their critical thinking and analytical skills over the course of studying the qualification through the study of live theatre, film and televi­sion. 

How will I be assessed?

Component 1 (40%) 
Candidates devise and perform a piece of theatre from their response to a stimulus, write a portfo­lio of supporting evidence to explain the process of creating theatre and evaluate their success.

Component 2: (20%) 
Externally assessed by a visiting examiner. Candidates will perform two extracts from a play.

Component 3: Interpreting Theatre (40%)
Written exam on one set text and a live theatre review.

Where can this course take me?

Any career that requires someone to be an effective communicator and positive team player or collaborator would benefit from a qualification in GCSE Drama. Many prominent figures in the fields of law and politics have cited the benefits of studying drama to aid their professional de­velopment. Those that have an aspiration to pursue a career in the arts world would be able to take their knowledge and skills accrued from GCSE Drama forward to help them with their next steps. 

Exam board: Eduqas

Head of Department: Mr Steve Candy