Talk to me about GCSE drama (Edexcel)!

[anyquestions]

DS is considering drama as one of his GCSE options. If he does it, it will be the Edexcel syllabus. I feel a bit wary about the group aspects of drama because I am concerned that with drama there is scope for a student's grade to be affected by the performance of other students in the group, so if DS happens to be put in a group with students who are not prepared to put the work in, that could drag DS's grade down, however much work he puts in himself. Is this a legitimate concern? When I was at school (1980s, comp) drama was an extra-curricular activity only, not something you could choose to study, so I have no experience of learning drama at school myself. Any advice appreciated!

DD1 is doing Edexcel GCSE Drama.

With respect to your question I think it is a legitimate concern but:

• DD's drama teacher mixed up the groups for each of the controlled assessments, and generally in lessons, to find out who worked well together. Despite not being great at Drama, she is a hard worker and has been put in a group of dedicated pupils for the final performance.
• I suspect any half decent teacher will appreciate this issue and put the 'hard workers' together, and the 'muck abouts' together.

Other thoughts

• The lessons weren't really what DD was expecting, so make sure he understands what was involved.
• There are write ups for some sections. DD was not asked to do any practice write ups before the real thing - ridiculous. She had no real feel for what was required. Please do ask how they prepare for the written side.
• Generally she has had no homework prior to this term (apart from when I sat with her to discuss what she should be writing in her CAs). So it has been great to have a less heavy subject. I suspect though that is very school specific.
• Don't go on holiday Easter y11. 3 of DD's group will be away so they can't all rehearse for final performance over those holidays, despite performance exam (40%) being week they return.
• I believe it is quite hard to get A*. If he is otherwise that kind of student you may not want a lower grade mucking up the profile.

hth

I fully understand your concerns.
This has really annoyed my dd over the last 18months (she does her GCSEs this Summer). It seems there are quite a proportion of the people who have chosen drama as they've considered it "a doss" and she gets very frustrated by the fact the treat the lessons so. She feels her teachers deal with it well, but ti's still always there to 'be dealt with' in a way that doesn't happen, say in her music lessons.
The teachers do mix up the groups and make sure all work isn't done together, but of courser that means that all the hard working people have to have turns with those that aren't in the slightest bit bothered.

That said, I think if you've got a good solid bunch of 8 or so academic GCSEs, then I don't think it matters too much what combination you do for the 'extras'.

Thanks both for your helpful comments. We have a parents' evening before the option forms have to be in, so your comments have given me a good idea of questions to ask the drama teacher.

At my DDs school only 1 child got an A, all the others got A*, including my DD. She is no great actress! B grades were unheard of.

What really counts in drama is the quality of the teaching and the ability of the pupils to work together effectively. There is also a written paper, so the final result is not all about acting. Both my DDs were very involved with writing their pieces (which have to be on the agreed theme , eg melodrama) then producing and staging it (lighting, scenery, music, props, use of stage and theatre as a whole, organising costumes and make up and doing programmes for the presentation evening to parents and the moderator. It is a big commitment if you want to do well but the teacher sets the tone and expectations. Don't go near it if you suspect it is full of children who waste their time and the school has a poor track record in it. What do the previous results look like?

Hello, I have taught GCSE Edexcel for years (currently on mat leave). Millymolly - the course does not sound like edexcel (there is no written exam paper, just the controlled assessments). I agree that finding out about previous results is really helpful. Don't be afraid to ask what %got A-C last year for example. 60% of the course is the controlled assessment (practical lessons assessed and a few essays). These lessons are full of lots of different tasks so it's very much an individual mark and tricky to be affected by lower ability students in a negative way. To be honest, it's a good opportunity to increase your marks! If they are placed in a 'rubbish'group (student speak!) then they have the opportunity to shine by bossing every one else about. The controlled assessments are not about acting but more the process of working on something - listening to others, sharing ideas, being original etc. The final group practical exam is worth 40%. I have tried both - putting weaker students together and putting A worthy students together. From my experience, both can work. If the teacher is good they will be extremely involved and won't let any lazy bums bring down others. Over the years, my students have said they love the course and that it is a refreshing break from sitting at a desk. They do regularly say that it is way more challenging then they anticipated. And yes - please ensure sure your child is available for rehearsals before the exam.... I had one great student who came away from a family holiday in Devon early, on the train to be back for his group. Parents can make it very stressful for their children especially when they don't want to let others down.

Thank you, that's very helpful. The rehearsal issue does concern me, because however careful we are not to take holidays at a bad time, we can't control when other people book theirs. Option form due in on Friday and I'm still not certain what my son will pick!

Actually I didn't look at the certificates of DDs so stand corrected!

Sorry I should clarify, if a group can't do particular rehearsals (should they be in holiday time, which, often they are not) then we'll make sure they still get the time needed. A decent teacher will do their best to ensure all groups get this, be after school or the weekend before exam week (yes, goodbye to life!) I haven't used Easter hols last few years. Plus some schools have the performance exam much earlier, (you can choose a date between Feb- May). It's a great course & my favourite year groups to teach! And no, you don't need to be you going into the arts as a profession. Good luck.