The Drama and Theatre curriculum at Thomas Mills High School and Sixth Form enables students to become confident, creative and reflective theatre-makers. Through performance, devising, design and the study of dramatic texts, students develop a deeper understanding of how theatre communicates ideas, emotions and social issues to an audience.

• Substantive Knowledge: Students build upon their knowledge of influential theatre practitioners, theatrical styles, performance texts and live theatre developed in Year 12. They deepen their understanding of how creative, directorial and design choices shape meaning and audience response through the study of set texts, live theatre evaluation and the interpretation of performance texts for Component 2 and Component 3 of the Edexcel A Level Drama and Theatre course.
• Ways of Knowing: Students learn how theatre is created through practical exploration, rehearsal and collaboration. They continue to develop skills in creating, performing, analysing and evaluating drama, while becoming increasingly independent in their ability to justify artistic decisions using specialist theatrical vocabulary, contextual understanding and evidence from both text and performance. Students refine their ability to interpret, question and critique theatrical choices from the perspectives of performer, director and designer.
• Personal Knowledge: Through engaging with a range of characters, themes and perspectives, students develop empathy, confidence and self-awareness. They are encouraged to express their own ideas creatively while reflecting on the experiences and viewpoints of others. As they progress through Year 13, students become increasingly reflective practitioners who can evaluate their own work, respond to feedback and make informed artistic decisions.

Practical exploration remains at the heart of learning, supported by discussion, written analysis and evaluation. This combination of creative and academic study develops independent thinking, communication skills and a lasting appreciation of theatre and performance. In Year 13, students consolidate and apply the knowledge, skills and understanding developed in Year 12 through the study of live theatre, Colder Than Here and Woyzeck, alongside the completion of their Component 2 performance.

Term 1

Component 2: Texts in Practice
Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

Knowledge:

Students build upon their understanding of theatrical style, practitioner influence and text interpretation developed in Year 12 through the study of their chosen monologue or duologue performance text. They deepen their knowledge of how performers, directors and designers communicate meaning to an audience whilst developing their understanding of Colder Than Here by Laura Wade and Woyzeck by Georg Büchner. Students explore how context, character, structure and theatrical intention shape both performance and audience response.

Skills:

• Interpret and realise character through performance.
• Apply rehearsal techniques to refine performance work.
• Conduct independent contextual and textual research.
• Analyse and evaluate theatrical choices.
• Use specialist dramatic terminology accurately.
• Construct analytical written responses.
• Reflect upon and justify creative decisions.

Useful Links

Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre (2016) | Pearson qualifications

Assessments may include:

Research task on chosen performance text.

Practical performance checkpoints.

Section B and Section C essay responses.

Live theatre evaluation practice.

Term 2

Component 2 Final Performance

Knowledge:

Students consolidate and apply their understanding of performance, interpretation and audience engagement through the completion of Component 2, including the performance of a monologue or duologue and participation in a group performance. Alongside their practical work, students continue their study of Section A (Live Theatre Evaluation), Section B (Colder Than Here) and Section C (Woyzeck), developing a deeper understanding of how performers, directors and designers communicate meaning. This ongoing preparation supports the transition from practical assessment to the final written examination.

Skills:

• Demonstrate confident vocal, physical and interpretative performance skills.
• Sustain character and dramatic intention throughout performance.
• Analyse and evaluate performance, design and directorial choices.
• Apply contextual understanding to live theatre and set texts.
• Construct analytical and evaluative written responses.
• Apply knowledge and understanding when analysing, evaluating and creating theatre.
• Reflect critically on rehearsal and performance processes.

Useful Links

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fqualifications.pearson.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fpdf%2FA%2520Level%2FDrama-and-Theatre%2F2016%2Fforms-and-administration%2F9dr0-02-statement-of-intentions-proforma-issue-4.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

Assessments:

Assessed Component 2 group performance.

Assessed Component 2 monologue or duologue performance.

Statement of Intent submission.

Full mock written examination.

Term 3

Component 3 Final Examination Preparation and External Examinations

Knowledge:

Students consolidate and connect knowledge from across the A Level course, revisiting key themes, contexts, practitioners and theatrical concepts. Through continued study of live theatre, Colder Than Here and Woyzeck, students develop a secure understanding of how meaning is constructed and interpreted in theatrical performance. They refine their understanding of assessment objectives and examination expectations in preparation for the final written examination.

Skills:

• Analyse and evaluate theatre with confidence and precision.
• Construct well-developed written arguments.
• Select and apply appropriate textual and performance evidence.
• Write effectively under timed conditions.
• Revise independently and strategically.
• Synthesize knowledge from across the course.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and evaluative judgement.

Useful Links

Microsoft Word – AS and A level Drama and Theatre Getting Started Guide

50252-GCE-Drama-and-Theatre-QP-September-2016.pdf

Set text guide – Colder Than Here

Assessments:

Section A Live Theatre Evaluation.

Section B Colder Than Here examination questions.

Section C Woyzeck examination questions.

Full examination practice papers.

Edexcel A Level Drama and Theatre written examination.