Drama is not just for those wanting to act!

Drama actively engages students in a wide range of creative, practical and stimulating activities. The subject also helps to develop individuals as effective, confident and independent students and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.

The course works to develop competence in a range of practical, creative and performance skills whilst encouraging students to work imaginatively and creatively in a collaborative context, generating and developing and communicating ideas.

Career paths in this subject can range from all areas of theatre work to teaching and even a career in Law. The subject provides students with many transferable skills which are highly valued in the workplace.

The Eduqas Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts (Acting) provides a strong and appropriate foundation for further progression to Drama courses, including A-level Drama and Theatre Studies, and enhanced vocational and career options. As this is a performance-based course, students must be prepared to perform on a regular basis for their classmates and a wider audience.

• The ability to work well in a group.
• A willingness to perform in lessons and sometimes publicly.
• Good organisational skills.
• The willingness to read scripts, learn lines and research topics for background information.
• The ability to work to deadlines.
• The ability to creatively and explore ideas practically.
• The ability to communicate in good written English – this is especially important for the written Portfolio Assessment work and External Assessment.
• A genuine interest in the theatre and dramatic arts.

Level 2 Vocational Award Performing Arts (Acting)

This is the equivalent of a full GCSE course offering a range of grades from Pass, Merit, Distinction to Distinction *. A Pass grade on the course is equivalent to a level 4 pass on the GCSE grading system. If students do not meet the level 2 requirement, they will automatically be assessed for the Level 1 (Foundation level)

Assessment is broken down into the following areas:

Acting Pathway

The qualification comprises of 3 compulsory units. There is no formal written exam but all units contain a portfolio of evidence which must be submitted.

Unit 1: Performing – Students will gain a holistic knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional/published work. (Scripted).

Unit 2: Creating – Students will gain, develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work in the performing arts. (Devising)

Unit 3: Performing Arts in Practice – This unit introduces students to areas of the performing arts that need to be considered when responding to an industry commission. Students will need to draw on their knowledge of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional/published work from Unit 1 alongside their knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work from Unit 2.

The subject content will include both practical and theoretical lessons.

This course builds on and uses the knowledge and skills you learn in your GCSEs, particularly in English, Drama and Dance. It can also be complementary learning for GCSE Media Studies. This course is different from studying GCSEs, as, by taking part in different types of practical vocational activities across a range of disciplines and styles before focussing on one area in which to develop your skills and techniques, it gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, skills and the techniques you learn in practical ways.