GCSE Drama (new)

Ms B Dearden - Curriculum Team Leader Drama

Please note: Students starting GCSE Drama from September 2025 will follow the OCR course specification. Students who started GCSE Drama before September 2025 are following the WJEC Eduqas course specification further information can be found here.

How is the course externally examined?

The qualification is made up of three components. There are two non-exam assessments (60% of the overall qualification) and one exam assessment (40% of the overall qualification). Theory and practical work will be integrated throughout the course and all texts studied will be explored practically.

Component 1:

Devising Drama (30% of qualification)

Students will create a devised performance in groups. They will be able to select a starting point from a range of stimuli provided by the exam board. All performances will be supported by a portfolio which is evidence of the students’ devising process.

Component 2:

Text Performance (30% of qualification)

Students will study a text chosen by the centre. Students will perform two extracts from the text. Students will be required to write an accompanying short concept pro forma which outlines their intentions for the performance.

Component 3:

Written exam 1 hour and 30 minutes in length(40% of qualification)

Section A - Students will worked practically on Blood Brothers to help them answer questions for the written exam. The questions will focus on the process of creating and developing a performance, working as a director, performer and designer, as well as the performance of a character from the text. Section B - This section asks the students to evaluate a piece of live theatre they have watched.

How is the course internally assessed?

Students in KS4 are prepared for assessments and mock exams by sitting past or replica GCSE questions and participating in the practical exam of component 2 using the text Blood Blood from component 3.

For written work students receive a score and an estimated grade using the grade boundaries set by the exam board in the previous year. Students are given the opportunity to make progress by working on feedback to ensure they achieve the estimated grade awarded or to work to the next grade.

Assessment - KS3 Drama

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KS4 Drama

GCSE Drama (old)

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GCSE Drama (new)

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