Director of Drama: Mrs F Eastaugh
Through engagement in Drama, students develop imagination and creativity. They explore the world of theatre and draw on their own experiences, as well as the work and ideas of other practitioners. Students gain a working knowledge of theatre, considering texts from the point of view of a performer, director and designer. The specification focuses on the practical exploration of performance texts, including exploring them in light of the work of theatre practitioners. The performance texts that will be studied for the exam will require students to articulate how they would perform in certain roles, design for certain scenes and interpret a text for performance, putting practical work at the heart of the specification. Students will analyse live theatre, seeing different styles and plays, on regular theatre visits. There are obvious links with History, English and Classics, and students are encouraged to transfer skills. The course is academic and rigorous. Our productions are challenging and standards are high. Whether a performer or a member of the backstage team, working alongside specialist staff, our students develop confidence, resilience and emotional intelligence.

Course content
Examination board: Edexcel

Component 1: Devising (40% of the total qualification)
1) Interpreting, creating and developing a devised piece.
2) A group performance/design realisation of the devised piece.
3) Analysing and evaluating the creative process and devised performance.
Students may complete this component either as a performer or as a designer.

Component 2: Text in Performance (20% of the total qualification)
1) A monologue or a duologue performance/design realisation from one key extract from one performance text.
2) A group performance/design realisation of one key extract from a different performance text.
Students may complete this component either as a performer or as a designer or combine these roles.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (40% of the total qualification)
There are three areas to be covered.
1) A live theatre evaluation.
2) Page to stage: realisation of a complete performance text.
3) Interpreting one complete performance text, in light of one practitioner for a contemporary audience.

Co-Curricular
We have a rich co-curricular programme of theatre visits, LAMDA, workshops and masterclasses with industry professionals. Sixth form students have opportunities to lead and direct work and also participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

University and Beyond
Students who have taken A Level Drama and Theatre have gone on to study at top universities to study a wide range of courses. Many also go on to specialist drama schools, including RADA, The Brit School, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.