If you have enjoyed the drama activities you have explored so far in your Drama lessons, then you will also enjoy the Drama IGCSE.
You will develop your talents as a performer, becoming more confident at acting, improvising, and developing original drama (devising). You will work individually, in pairs and in groups, which will develop your teamwork, communication and public speaking skills, as well as your ability to work independently and imaginatively.
You will also develop analytical skills, learning how to evaluate and explore your own devised drama, and producing essays which will extend your ability to write clearly and accurately in English. You will also learn about theatrical production and design elements.
You will improve your ability to express yourself on stage and on the page, while engaging with emotive and rewarding theatre texts.
Drama IGCSE will support your study of subjects like English Literature and Art, and also complement all subjects which require effective written communication, including History, Geography and Biology.
Drama IGCSE is divided into practical and theoretical/written components. The practical coursework makes up 60% of the qualification, and comprises three elements, which are all filmed at Runnymede. They are then marked internally, and externally moderated by the Cambridge exam board. Marks are also available for a student’s commitment, focus and creativity throughout the practical side of the course. The practical tasks are:
The final written exam (2 hours 30 minutes) makes up 40% of the IGCSE, and has two sections. In preparation for this, students will devise another piece of drama (though they will not be assessed as performers for this), which they will then analyse, evaluate and explore in response to the exam questions. In addition, in December of Year 11, we receive the pre-released material, which is an extended extract from a play. Students study this extract in terms of performance, direction and design, and then write about it in the final exam.
Drama IGCSE students can continue studying the subject at A Level, but the IGCSE will also develop a range of very useful transferable skills, particularly in terms of communication, language and teamwork. These will be valuable later for university degrees in business/management, as well as humanities courses like International Relations, History and Geography.
Students who study this subject may go on to further work and study in the creative arts (including theatre, film and television), or they could work in arts and events management, PR and advertising, journalism or law.