GCSE | Drama – Leighton Park

GCSE in Drama

Exam Board: OCR
Syllabus Code: J316

We expect our students to be self-reliant, independent, committed and enthusiastic. All the practical coursework elements involve creative co-operation with other members of the group and participation in after-school rehearsals. The course is intensive and stimulating. Theatre visits are a required element and some additional expense will be incurred. It is not necessary to be an actor to enjoy and benefit from Drama GCSE and the course is a popular choice in preparation for a wide range of post-16 choices.

Specification for 2024 – 2026

Component 1: Devising Drama – Internally assessed practical project – 30% weighting

Students will research and explore a stimulus and work collaboratively with others to create their own devised drama and create a portfolio.

• Creating and developing ideas to communicate meaning for theatrical performance by making your own original drama performance. Applying theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in the live performance of their work.
• Analysing and evaluating their own work and the work of others by creating and updating a Drama Portfolio in which students record their understanding of the process of making the drama.

Component 2: Presenting and Performing texts – Visiting practical examination – 30% weighting

Candidates will perform two extracts from a play text chosen by themselves and their teacher. They develop and apply theatrical skills in acting and then write about the ideas they generated for the performance. This writing (concept pro forma) is submitted to the examiner before their arrival.

• Creating and developing ideas to communicate meaning for theatrical performance by studying a play text and creating a concept pro forma.
• Applying theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions in live performance by performing two extracts from the play text.

Component 3: Performance and Response – Written examination – 40% weighting

• Section A: Students will practically explore the play ‘Kindertransport’ by Diane Samuels with their teacher and the class. They will develop their own ideas about how you would direct and design the play if it were in production. To demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of drama they answer questions in a written examination about certain aspects of their proposed production of the play.=
• Section B: Students will analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance by answering questions on it in the examination.

If you have any queries about this course, please contact Head of Department: Jessica Wittert van Hoogland.