Courses
The exam board
The exam board undertaken at both GCSEs, AS and A2 is AQA.
GCSE Drama
The GCSE Drama course is assessed by 40% written work (one written exam) and 60% practical coursework and gives pupils a thorough introduction to the various aspects of performing.
Pupils undertake two different options (both worth 30%) for practical coursework from the following: Scripted work, Devised thematic work for performance to an audience, Improvisation, Theatre in Education presentation, Dance/drama. In any of the options pupils are assessed on one of the following skills: Acting, Set, Costume, Make-up, Properties, Masks, Puppets, Lighting, Sound, Stage Management. Millfield pupils tend to choose acting as this is very much a speciality of the department, but it is possible to choose from any of the other options. For each practical exam pupils are required to keep a journal that records and analyses their creative process.
There is only one 2 hour written exam at GCSE. Section A looks at practical work completed during the course, section B looks at the study and performance of a scripted play, and section C requires a response to a live performance seen during the course. Pupils answer two of these options, with Section A being mandatory. They are required to write responses to work they have seen and participated in from a performance perspective.
AS/A2 Drama and Theatre Studies
These courses enable pupils to further develop their skills, and whilst ultimately rewarding, demand high levels of dedication. Assessment for The AS/A2 course is 60% written work and 40% practical coursework.
At AS level, the practical coursework consists of a scripted piece, whereas at A2 level it consists of a devised piece. As part of the coursework, pupils are required to write a detailed portfolio. Pupils are assessed on one of the following skills: acting (this is the most popular option), directing, costume design and construction, design and execution of stage setting, mask design and construction, or technical elements (lighting and/or sound design).
In the AS exam (prescribed play and live performance) pupils have two sections to complete. The first is a response to a live performance seen during the AS course. The second is on 'Antigone' by Sophocles. At A2 level (prescribed plays including pre-Twentieth Century) pupils answer one section on 'A Servant of Two Masters' by Carlo Goldoni and one on 'Coram Boy' by Helen Edmundson. Pupils are required to write responses from a performance perspective in Section A and offer suggestions for a complete realisation of short extract in Section B from a directorial perspective.
"Not everyone is going to be an actor, even at GCSE Level, but nowadays everyone needs drama skills in one form or another. This is the age of the 'presentation' where products and ideas are sold in a competitive market-place by the strength of the presenter and his/her powers of delivery. The scientist, the business executive, the engineer, the bank manager, the retail executive, the designer - none are exempt".
Jeni Whittaker
