GCSE Drama Specification Specification for first …

1 GCSEDRAMA8261 SpecificationFor teaching from September 2016 onwardsFor GCSE exams in 2018 onwardsVersion 25 January 2018 Contents1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Support and resources to help you teach62 Specification at a Subject Assessments93 Subject Understanding Devising Texts in Guidance on theatrical skills164 Scheme of Aims and learning Assessment Assessment Assessment Assessment criteria355 Non-exam assessment administration Supervising and Avoiding Administration for Component Administration for Component 3436 General Entries and Overlaps with other Awarding grades and reporting Re-sits and shelf Set Previous learning and Access to assessment: diversity and Working with AQA for the first Private candidates47 AQA GCSE Drama 8261.

2 GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 25 January 2018 Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administration 3 Are you using the latest version of this Specification ? You will always find the most up-to-date version of this Specification on our website at We will write to you if there are significant changes to the Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administration1 Why choose AQA for GCSE DramaOur Specification engages and encourages students to become confident performers anddesigners with the skills they need for a bright and successful performance is paramountWe've built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best participate students devise students explore texts practically and work on two text-based can choose to develop as a.

3 Performer designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets) performer and option they choose, students can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, boththeatrical and transferable, to expand their for successOur written exam paper is designed to help all students realise their full use a variety of question styles and ask students to combine what they ve learned about howdrama is performed with their practical experience and setting the paper, quality of marking is at the forefront of our minds. We know how importantit is that your students get results that reflect their progression to AS and A-levelThis Specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to AS and A-levelDrama and who go on to AS or A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for thewritten paper.

4 They have built solid foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and ininterpreting key of these aspects feature in the AS and A-level as well as the skillsStudents learn to collaborate with others, think analytically and evaluate effectively. They gain theconfidence to pursue their own ideas, reflect and refine their efforts. Whatever the future holds,students of GCSE Drama emerge with a toolkit of transferable skills, applicable both in furtherstudies and in the can find out about all our Drama qualifications at GCSE Drama 8261.

5 GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 25 January 2018 Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administration Support and resources to help you teachWe ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will helpyou confidently plan, teach and prepare for resourcesVisit to see all our teaching resources. They include: schemes of work: ideas to help you plan your course with confidence good practice guides: helping you inspire and challenge students to think creatively exemplification materials: marked student work supported by examiner commentaries andguidance suggested plays: to help you choose appropriate material for practical study.

6 We havedeveloped a broad list of suggested plays that you might like to consider for your studentsand will keep this updated to ensure it reflects the best of contemporary service Training courses: helping you deliver AQA Drama qualifications Subject expertise courses: for newly-qualified teachers to experienced teachers looking forfresh inspiration Drama advisory service: each school/college is allocated a non-exam assessment (NEA)Adviser. You can contact them for one-to-one advice on any aspect of the NEA and/orsupport with planning and delivery of course content.

7 Subject community: access free resources and services offered by Drama organisations anduniversities Support meetings: helping you with course delivery; offering practical teaching strategies andapproaches that really work Teacher network group: contact colleagues at other schools/colleges to share ideas aboutresources and teaching strategies for the AQA specificationTo find out more about our support service visit for examsVisit for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including: past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses exemplar student answers with examiner your students' results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous yearsand where your students need to improve.

8 ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help yousee where to focus your teaching. Register at information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and ourpost-results services, visit Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administrationKeep your skills up-to-date with professional developmentWherever you are in your career, there s always something new to learn. As well as subject-specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills. Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meetingOfsted requirements.

9 Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online whatever suitsyour needs and availability. Find out more at and support availableVisit our website for information, guidance, support and resources at you'd like us to share news and information about this qualification, sign up for emails andupdates at , you can call or email our subject team : 01483 556 301 AQA GCSE Drama 8261. GCSE exams June 2018 onwards. Version 25 January 2018 Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administration 78 Visit for the most up-to-date Specification , resources, support and administration2 Specification at a glanceThis qualification is linear.

10 Linear means that students undertake all non-exam assessment (NEA)in the certification year and sit the written exam at the end of the Subject contentThe subject content details the knowledge, understanding and skills that students are expected todevelop throughout the course of subject content for GCSE Drama is divided into three Drama (page 11) Drama (page 14) in practice (page 15)Guidance is also provided on the theatrical skills students will need to work the practical components students may specialise in performing, lighting, sound, set, costumeand/or AssessmentsComponent 1: Understanding dramaWhat's assessed Knowledge and understanding of Drama and theatre Study of one set play from a choice of six Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makersHow it's assessed Written exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes Open book 80 marks 40% of GCSEQ uestions Section A: multiple choice (4 marks) Section B.