This is a dynamic, exciting and rigorous course which engages students through encouraging creativity.

It focuses on practical work which reflects twenty-first century theatre practice, and develops technical and interpersonal skills that will support progression to further study of Drama and a wide range of other subjects.

It is assessed through both practical and written examinations as well as coursework; exploring the perspectives and skills of performers, designers and directors.

The course has a clear and coherent structure and bridges impeccably with our GCSE Drama course.

Course Content and Assessment 

There are three components:

One focuses on devising

One focuses on performing or designing skills

One focuses on practical exploration of set texts to interpret them for performance.

The course is embedded with a practical ethos, and this is sacrosanct to the component structures and delivery.

Component 1: Devising (40% of the A Level).

• Devise an original performance piece based on an extract

from a play, using the principles of a theatre practitioner.

• The component is assessed through the following mediums: 1: A 3,000-word portfolio of analysis and evaluation.

2: A performance to a live, target, audience.

Component 2:

Text in Performance (20% of the A Level).

1: A group performance/ design realisation of one key extract from a performance text which is cast and directed by the tutors. 

2: A monologue or duologue performance/ design realisation of another key extract of a different performance text. 

Component 3:

Theatre Makers in Practice (40% of the A Level). 

2 hours 30 mins written examination: 

Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation. 

Section B: Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text. Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text.

Entry Requirements:

Five grade 5s (or above) at GCSE, including Drama. Special dispensation can be made for those students who have not taken GCSE Drama subject to pre-course discussion with tutors.

Next Steps:

Progression to Higher Education to read specialist Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts courses or as part of entry requirements to many other subjects. It is also a useful qualification for candidates who would like to pursue a career in the fields of Law, Business, Medicine, Caring and Media professions.

We also help students with extensive preparation for entry into nationally-renowned Drama Conservatoires,  with recent successes including placement at: Rose Bruford College; The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama; the National Youth Theatre and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.