Drama
Whitchurch High School
Course summary
One of the main reasons for studying Drama and Theatre Studies to an advanced level is that it is interesting and enjoyable. Students will utilise the skills learnt to enable them to explore and create work at a higher and intense level than at KS4. As well as developing the acting skills of students, the course is designed to enable technical elements of theatre to be explored, including lighting, sound and set. Visits to the theatre are an important element of this subject and many trips throughout the year are organised. The course requires students who are imaginative, creative, good humoured and willing to work with commitment and dedication. One of the main reasons for studying Drama and Theatre Studies to an advanced level is that it is interesting and enjoyable. Students will utilise the skills learnt to enable them to explore and create work at a higher and intense level than at KS4. As well as developing the acting skills of students, the course is designed to enable technical elements of theatre to be explored, including lighting, sound and set. Visits to the theatre are an important element of this subject and many trips throughout the year are organised. The course requires students who are imaginative, creative, good humoured and willing to work with commitment and dedication. Career Routes Acting, directing, set design, lighting design, sound operator, costume designer, producer, lawyer, teaching, social work, youth work, journalism, presenting, marketing, advertising, choreographer, dancer and many, many more.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
Average point score | Minimum average point score of 6 | — |
Total point score | Minimum total point score of 6 | — |
Drama | Grade B in Drama (if taken) | — |
English Language | Grade C in English Language | — |
As published by the school
GCSE Drama B grade (if studied) and GCSE C grade in English Language and English Literature
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Assessment
AS and A2 units have a 40% and 60% weighting respectively. An E grade at AS is the minimum requirement to continue onto the A2 course. AS Level Units These carry a 40% weighting of the final A2 award. Unit 1: Theatre Workshop – non-exam assessment (24%) Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract. Internally assessed and externally moderated. Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners will produce a creative log, based on the rehearsal process, a performance lasting between 5-16 minutes (depending on the number of actors in the group & subject to WJEC guidance changes), and an evaluation of the final performance or design. Unit 2: Text in Theatre – written examination (16%) Written exam – 1 hour 30 mins Learners answer a series of questions based on the chosen set text (currently A View From the Bridge – Arthur Miller) and on live productions (or live theatre digital streams) seen during the year. A2 Level Units These carry a 60% weighting of the final A2 award. Unit 3: Text in Action – non-exam assessment (36%) Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre: a devised piece using the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or company and an extract from a text in a different style. Learners will also produce a written Process and Evaluation Report Learners will be assessed on either acting or design Externally assessed by visiting examiner. (subject to current WJEC and Welsh Gov guidance) Unit 4: Text in Performance – written examination (24%) Written exam – 2 hours 30 mins A series of questions based on two chosen set texts (currently The Absence of War – David Hare, and Sweeney Todd – Stephen Sondheim) and on live productions seen during the year AS and A2 units have a 40% and 60% weighting respectively. An E grade at AS is the minimum requirement to continue onto the A2 course. AS Level Units These carry a 40% weighting of the final A2 award. Unit 1: Theatre Workshop – non-exam assessment (24%) Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract. Internally assessed and externally moderated. Learners will be assessed on either acting or design. Learners will produce a creative log, based on the rehearsal process, a performance lasting between 5-16 minutes (depending on the number of actors in the group & subject to WJEC guidance changes), and an evaluation of the final performance or design. Unit 2: Text in Theatre – written examination (16%) Written exam – 1 hour 30 mins Learners answer a series of questions based on the chosen set text (currently A View From the Bridge – Arthur Miller) and on live productions (or live theatre digital streams) seen during the year. A2 Level Units These carry a 60% weighting of the final A2 award. Unit 3: Text in Action – non-exam assessment (36%) Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of two pieces of theatre: a devised piece using the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or company and an extract from a text in a different style. Learners will also produce a written Process and Evaluation Report Learners will be assessed on either acting or design Externally assessed by visiting examiner. (subject to current WJEC and Welsh Gov guidance) Unit 4: Text in Performance – written examination (24%) Written exam – 2 hours 30 mins A series of questions based on two chosen set texts (currently The Absence of War – David Hare, and Sweeney Todd – Stephen Sondheim) and on live productions seen during the year
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