Specification/Exam Board

Specification/Exam Board

AQA 8261

  • Component 1: Understanding Drama (written exam). Forms 40% of the GCSE and is taken at the end of Year 11.
  • Component 2: Devising Drama. Practical performance and written devising log -forms 40% of whole GCSE
  • Component 3: Texts in Practice. Practical performance of two extracts from a play - forms 20% of whole GCSE

Curriculum Allocation

Drama is taught for three 100 minute lessons per fortnight.

Curriculum Period 1:

Curriculum content

This curriculum period is spent working on Component 2: Devising Drama, which requires students to work collaboratively to produce a piece based on given stimuli. Alongside this, students will write their devising log. This piece and devising log will be examined by the teacher and moderated by the exam board. The filming of the exam performance and the completion of the evaluative, third section of the devising log will be completed at the beginning of Curriculum Period 2.

A revision of topics for Component 1 will be done through review tasks and homeworks. Students have opportunity to revise Section A (multiple choice – Theatre Roles and Responsibilities) and Section B (‘Blood Brothers’) of the written exam as well as watching clips of the live theatre performance for Section C and practising exam questions.

Assessment

  • Continued work on Devising Drama coursework including devising log
  • Mock Exam for Component 1 


    Curriculum Period 2:

    Curriculum content

    Students will primarily focus on final rehearsals of the devised piece before the recorded and assessed performance. Students will then write the third section of the devising log in which they analyse and evaluate their contribution to the piece performed including an honest appraisal of how they feel their skills have developed during the process

    In the second part of the curriculum period, students will work on Component 3: Texts in Practice. In this time, students will choose their play from a given selection, identify two extracts and rehearse them. Students can choose to perform a monologue, duologue or group piece in any combination across the two extracts. The AQA examiner will attend the school during this curriculum period to assess the students on these performances.

    A revision of topics for Component 1 will be done through review tasks and homeworks. Students have opportunity to revise Section A (multiple choice – Theatre Roles and Responsibilities) and Section B (‘Blood Brothers’) of the written exam as well as watching clips of the live theatre performance for Section C and practising exam questions.

    Assessment

    • Mock exam – Component 1 (all sections)
    • Component 2 – coursework assessment of practical performance and devising log
    • Component 3 – practical assessment

      Curriculum Period 3:

      Curriculum content

      Students will spend their remaining lessons of Year 11 revising Component 1: Understanding Drama. Lessons will focus on the different sections of the exam paper.

      Assessment

      • Final submission to the exam board of coursework for Component 2: Devising Drama
      • Final exam for Component 1: Understanding Drama


      Revision resources

      • CGP Revision guides
      • Youtube Drama teacher revision videos
      • Knowledge organisers
      • Past papers
      • GCSE Bitesize

      Subject advice and guidance

      If you need any further guidance, then please contact Mrs Black via email:

      leanne.black@endon.set.org