Year 10 Drama

GCSE Drama

Specification at a glance

Exam Board: AQA

Specification Code: 8261

What will my child study during Year 10?

The Drama GCSE is split into three components, the topics that will be covered during Year 10 are:

How will my child be assessed and how will I know how well they are doing in Drama in Year 10?

The Drama course during Year 10 is a skills based course. Students will complete 40% of their GCSE in Year 10 by completing devising drama (component 2). This is a practical component with coursework to accompany their practical performance. Although final marks will not be shared students will be given verbal feedback on both the practical and written elements of this component in order to make progress. Alongside completing the devising component students will then begin to work on the written exam (component 1) which they complete in Year 11 summer term. Although the exam is written students will explore the set text practically and are required to watch live theatre, which is organised by the school, however they are encouraged to see as much live theatre as possible at home. Students will complete a mock written exam, from this they will be given detailed feedback in order to streamline their revision in preparation for Year 11. In the summer term students will be introduced to the text for their scripted performance (component 3) – students must perform or create realised designs for two extracts from one play which contrasts to the set play (Romeo & Juliet) studied in Component 1.

What homework will my child be expected to do in Year 10 in Drama?

Students will be set weekly homework that they will be expected to spend around 30 minutes - 1 hour completing. The homework will be a variety of tasks that will primarily be:

• Completion of classwork with further research and note-making
• Completion of past GCSE questions
• Revision for tests
• Line learning

Students will be expected to read the set text for both component 1 (Romeo & Juliet) and component 3 in their own time.

How can I support my child to do well in Drama during Year 10?

• Ensure they complete their homework properly
• Support them by ensuring they have somewhere suitable to work, away from distractions but with online access – this is particularly useful for revision sources for Component 1
• Buy a revision guide
• Support them to revise and prepare properly when learning lines
• By regularly viewing and watching live theatre where possible – this can be done at home by using websites such as the national theatre

My child is struggling during the course, what additional help is available to help them keep up?

• Revision activities will be provided
• Students will be given the opportunity to watch live theatre or theatre recordings to further their studies, participation in school trips is massively encouraged
• Students should be encouraged to seek assistance from their teacher when they are struggling with any concept.
• Students have access to Satchel One were extension home learning tasks will be posted weekly
• Join an extra-curricular club

Updated July 2023