Drama at KS4 - GCSE Drama and Theatre Arts (Aims | Assessment objectives | Scheme of assessment )

Aims

The aims set out below describe the educational purposes of following a course in Drama and Theatre Arts for the GCSE examination. Some of these aims are reflected in assessment objectives; others are not because they cannot readily be translated into measurable assessment objectives. The aims are not stated in any order of priority.

The aims of the GCSE Drama and Theatre Arts course are to enable candidates to develop

* an enjoyment and appreciation of live theatre;
* an involvement in the exploration and enactment of human experience through drama and theatre;
* practical abilities in related skills;
* the research skills necessary to acquire relevant information;
* an appreciation of the technical and historical aspects of drama and theatre;
* an understanding of the place and function of Drama and Theatre Arts in modern society;
* a capacity for self-evaluation;
* the ability to appreciate and evaluate the work of others;
* the ability to work together as a group displaying awareness of and sensitivity to others;
* related social skills such as self-confidence, concentration, self-discipline and communication;
* the ability to carry out further study of theatre.
Assessment objectives

The GCSE Drama and Theatre Arts syllabus will assess the candidates' ability to:

* demonstrate knowledge and understanding of practical skills and techniques relevant to Drama and Theatre Arts;
* respond imaginatively and relevantly to a given stimulus in a dramatic context;
* demonstrate practical skills and techniques associated with Drama and Theatre Arts;
* evaluate work carried out in studies relating to Drama and Theatre Arts.
Scheme of assessment

* Controlled Test 40%
* Coursework 60%

The table below shows the weighting of the assessment objectives.
Objective Controlled Test Practical Coursework Written Coursework
Knowledge and understanding of practical skills and techniques 10% 10%
Imaginative and relevant response to a given stimulus 10% 10%
Demonstration of practical skills and techniques 30% 20%
Students' evaluation of their own work 10%
Total 40% 40% 20%