Year 10 – 11
Drama
Key Stage: KS4
Exam Board: Edexcel
Qualification Gained: GCSE Drama
Assessment Structure:
The Edexcel GCSE Drama course is assessed through three components:
- Component 1: Devising (40%) – Students create and perform an original piece of theatre based on a chosen stimulus and produce a written portfolio evaluating their process and performance.
- Component 2: Performance from Text (20%) – Students perform two key extracts from a published play to a visiting examiner.
- Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (40%) – A written exam assessing students’ understanding of the set text DNA and a live theatre performance they have seen and analysed.
These components assess students’ creativity, collaboration and critical reflection across practical and written work.
The Drama Department at Hammersmith Academy inspires all students to develop a lifelong appreciation of theatre by nurturing bold, imaginative thinkers. We instil confidence and motivate students to express themselves creatively, think critically and engage meaningfully with the world.
Drama at Hammersmith Academy encourages students to be committed learners who achieve their potential both on and off the stage, empowering them to become confident communicators, reflective thinkers and active citizens.
Our Drama curriculum is designed to equip students with key theatrical skills such as devising original performances, interpreting and performing scripted and published texts, and developing a deep understanding of character motivation and emotional complexity.
Through practical exploration and written analysis, students enhance their empathy and emotional intelligence, as well as their analytical and evaluative abilities. They learn to justify directorial and performance choices with clarity, insight and precision – a skill that supports their broader academic development.
The Key Stage 4 Drama curriculum is structured to develop confident, creative and reflective theatre-makers who can perform, direct, design and evaluate with skill and imagination.
In Year 10, students lay the foundations by exploring the set text DNA through both performance and design. They learn to interpret character, communicate meaning and structure written responses effectively. Later in the year, they take part in workshops inspired by practitioners such as Brecht, Stanislavski, Frantic Assembly and Paper Birds, applying these techniques to their own devised work, which they perform and analyse in a written portfolio.
In Year 11, students focus on scripted performance, deepening their ability to interpret and perform published plays, while revisiting DNA and preparing for the written examination. A live theatre review consolidates their understanding of performance techniques, stagecraft and audience impact.
This progression ensures students are equipped with both the practical and analytical skills required for success in all three components of the Edexcel GCSE Drama course.
Year-by-Year Curriculum
Year 10
Students explore text, design, and devised performance, building skills across all assessment areas.
Modules include:
- DNA Performance (Module 1)
- DNA Design (Module 2)
- Practitioner Workshops (Module 3)
- Devising (Modules 4 & 5)
- Written Coursework (Module 6)
Students develop creative independence, leadership and reflective practice through group work and individual performance challenges.
Year 11
Students consolidate skills in interpretation, performance and analysis while preparing for final examinations.
Modules include:
- DNA Exam Technique (Module 1)
- Scripted Performance (Component 2 – External Exam) (Module 2)
- Scripted Rehearsals & Live Theatre Review (Module 3)
- Exam Revision (Modules 4–6)
This structure enables students to refine their communication and presentation skills, while developing an in-depth understanding of theatre-making from multiple perspectives — performer, director and designer.
Skills Gained
- Confidence and communication
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Analytical and evaluative thinking
- Leadership and direction
- Creativity and problem-solving
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
These skills extend well beyond the stage, preparing students for both further study and professional environments that value communication, critical thought and creative expression.
Partnerships & Enrichment
Students benefit from enriching experiences and partnerships that expand their understanding of professional theatre and performance, including:
- The Old Vic Theatre
- The Lyric Theatre
These connections allow students to see high-quality productions, participate in workshops and gain inspiration from industry professionals.
Potential Careers & Progression
GCSE Drama provides an excellent foundation for:
A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies | BTEC Performing Arts or Production Arts | Creative Arts Apprenticeships
Potential career paths include acting, directing, stage management, film, media, education, public speaking and arts administration. The confidence and adaptability developed through Drama are invaluable across many professions.
