The WJEC GCSE in Drama is an exciting, inspiring and practical course
Opportunities to develop skills
The specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally, it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.
Through following this specification, learners will be given opportunities to participate in and interpret their own and others’ drama. Learners have the option to work practically as performers and/or designers in Units 1 and 2.
Communicate & Experiment
Learners will investigate a practitioner or genre of drama, work collaboratively to develop ideas to communicate meaning and experiment with dramatic conventions, forms and techniques to produce and realise a piece of original theatre. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the performance of an extract from a published performance text.
Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of drama, including their ability to interpret texts for performance, in a written examination. However, in preparation for this assessment, learners are encouraged to study their chosen text practically as a performer, designer and director.
Unit 1
Devising Theatre – 40% (60 marks)
Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated
- Learners participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre based on either the work of a theatre practitioner or a genre in response to a stimulus set out by the WJEC.
- Learners complete a portfolio based on the rehearsal process.
- Learners complete a written evaluation of the devised performance under formal supervision.
- Learners will be assessed on either acting or
- Learners work in groups of between two and five four performers.
- Up to four additional learners, each working on a different design skill, may work with each performing group.
Unit 2
Performing Theatre – 20% (60 marks)
Non exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner
- Learners participate in a performance based on two 10 minute extracts from a performance text of their own choice.
- Learners will be assessed on either acting or design.
- Learners work in groups of between two and four
- Up to two additional learners, each working on a different design skill, may work with each performing group.
Unit 3
Interpreting Theatre – 40% (60 marks)
Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes
Section A: Set Text for assessment from 2024 onwards
A series of questions on one set text explored as an actor, designer and director from a choice of seven:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
- The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
- Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter
- Face by Benjamin Zephaniah
- Lionboy Zizou Corder adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos
- Resting Restless by Bethan Marlow
- Tuesday by Alison Carr
Section B: Live Theatre Review
One question, from a choice of two, requiring analysis and evaluation of one live theatre production seen during the course.
Enrichment Opportunities
Students will be encouraged to take part in our school extra-curricular Drama club. Through this club they will be able to practice their skills further and experience performance in front of a live audience.
They will do so alongside a variety of different performers from different year groups. Students will also have the chance to watch live theatre, expanding their understanding and appreciation of different styles and genres.
Homework
Homework can take a variety of forms including written tasks, revision exercises, online tasks and preparation for coursework or practical examinations. The aim of homework is to supplement the learning that takes place in the classroom and instil independent learning, a crucial lifelong skill. Staff aim to give ample time to complete homework tasks so learners should plan their own time carefully in order to meet deadlines. The frequency of homework can vary depending on the number of lessons offered over a fortnight.
The majority of subject areas make use of Google Classroom to communicate any homework requirements to the learners. I would encourage learners and parents/carers to check Google Classrooms regularly.
Parents/Carers should endeavour to provide a quiet space for their children to complete homework tasks. Where this is not possible, the school does provide such places for learners to access in their lunchtime or afterschool hours. Please encourage learners to discuss this with their tutors or progress leaders in the first instance.
Students will be expected to undertake additional rehearsal within their groups outside of lesson time. These additional rehearsals will take place during either break/lunchtime or after school if the group wishes. Students will also be expected to learn their lines for their scripted performances in their own time. This ensures that class time is reserved for practical rehearsal.
Feedback
Students will be given verbal feedback every lesson, with the intention of improving their practical performances and/or their design focused portfolio.
Students will also receive feedback following their mock performance assessments in the first year of the course. This feedback will link to the WJEC marking criteria for their official assessment in year 11.
Assessment
Assessment is an important aspect of a learner’s learning journey. Apart from indicating the current performance of an individual, assessments also inform learners and staff which areas they need to develop. At Ysgol y Grango, staff continuously assess a learner’s progress through a variety of methods. This could include informal assessment, such as quizzes or observations, or formal assessments, such as written tests or coursework.
Ysgol y Grango use an online system called Go4Schools to track and monitor individual learners. Learners and parents/carers can also access information such as reports and subject progress through their own Go4schools login.
Throughout Key stage 4, learners will sit various external assessments. The timing of these assessments varies depending on the subject. Some of these assessment timings are controlled by the school but many are put in place by the examination board. As such it is important that learners are present for these assessments as missing elements of a course can significantly affect the overall grade for a learner.
Students will complete three assessment points in Year 10. Two performance mock assessments which will follow the marking criteria for their Year 11 examinations, and one written mock assessment which will mirror their Year 11 written exam.
In Year 11 students will complete three assessments, two which are performance/design based and require students to work in groups, and one written examination on two pre chosen pieces of theatre.
Support Toolkits
Links & Resources
BBC bitesize GCSE Drama: Lots of really useful information which will be very helpful when it comes to revising for all three assessment points.
Theatre crash course video’s on Youtube: Quick and concise summaries of a variety of different theatre styles and genres.
A View from the Bridge study guide: Very informative study pack all about the performance students will study prior to their written exam. Amazing as revision material!
WJEC GCSE Drama exam study guides, walkthroughs & blended learning packs:
A Midsummer Nights Dream study pack:
Staff Roles & Responsibilities
Drama
Mrs Reddin – Lead teacher of Drama