GCSE drama for physically disabled student

[UserStillatLarge]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this, or could suggest what adjustments we might expect to have put in place?

DD is taking GCSE Drama but has impaired mobility which means she routinely needs to walk slowly with the support of a crutch and cannot stand for more than a few minutes at a time. It would not be physically possible for her to perform using the whole stage in the way that might be expected for a non-disabled student. What would normally happen in this sort of situation?

dunno about that part, probably many solutions, but how is her essay writing? Drama GCSE involves a lot of writing.

Her essay writing is fantastic and one of her main skills is analysing and writing in a clear way (she's likely to go on to take English and History A Level next year to use these skills ). Fortunately essay writing does not require her to use her legs.

How do they manage in normal everyday? Do they just sit down most of the time? Must be extremely limiting and I speak as a wheelchair user. I’m sure parts can be adapted and they have work extra hard in other ways to express without using movement. Would they consider using wheelchair or walking seat frame to be able half sit and stand and move.

If they struggle walk slowly and can only stand for few minutes they going need realistic way to get around as older teenagers and adults or their mobility and life is going be extremely restricted.

I think @peggywaspushed is a drama teacher she should know. I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if her disability couldn't be accommodated successfully though.

You can get reasonable adjustments, so your DD could get a largely seated role. Exam boards need notifying in advance.
Assessment is based on a lot more than moving around acting.
If she is that limited with her mobility then would a wheelchair not offer her more freedom?

I can’t really see any issue. I taught several pupils in wheelchairs at GCSE level when I was a drama teacher. Drama is able to be incredibly inclusive. With the devised performance they will create it with the movement of the wheelchair as part of the piece. With scripted performance there are always ways to modify - an easy one is to use an ‘end on’ performance space rather than a proscenium arch stage.

In addition there are other modules such as lighting, sound, set design, costume etc.

Sorry I misread it - with a pupil who moves with a crutch not a wheelchair all the same points above apply x

She should be fine. The performance piece Dd did was devised by themselves so anything goes. I would be careful the right type of pupils took it. She needs to know there is a dedicated like minded group she can team up with as her grade is a bit dependant on them and how they work as a team. Dd took control and got everyone a good mark!

This is a condition that's come on over the last couple of years and was initially assumed to be something that "would get better". So DD has had differing medical advice - initially it was to rest and not do anything that is painful, but currently the advice is that she should try to do as much as possible, even if it is difficult, because the less she walks/stands the more she's likely to lose mobility (and equally it's hoped she may gain mobility if she pushes herself). So a wheelchair/walking frame is probably not the answer (at least not at the moment unless advice changes again). But yes, it is very limiting for her.

She can just about cope with a day at school with provision made (e.g. she can use the lift). She is exhausted by the end of it though.

The issue is that at the moment that, even doing as much as she can do is significantly less than might be expected as part of the GCSE performance for most children. I assume that provision can be made, but wanted to know if anyone had experience of this.

Thanks - I crossposted with some of the replies.

Since there are numerous professional actors, dancers, directors and drama workshop leaders who have mobility disabilities, any drama teacher worth their salt should be imaginative enough to ensure that your Dc has a good experience, the curriculum presumably has to be capable of reasonable adjustment, and if anyone has any doubts, look at the work of Graeae Theatre. Who may be able to provide advice if the school struggle.

Drama teacher here. No issue whatsoever with her taking the course. There are also loads of actors with all kinds of disabilities. I'd be amazing her drama teacher would even bat an eye lid.

Apologies- posted and then re read the thread again as you actually asked about adjustments not whether she could complete the course.

Any workshops she would take part in would be adapted to a seated role if necessary. She would still be able to perform using facial expression, gesture, etc.

Any performances and final monologues, duologues and plays can easily be adapted to suit whatever needs she has.

There's a big group-project element to Drama (at least there was when DC considered it) so as long as her people skills are good, she will find a way to do her performances that suits her.

It's worth noting that a candidate couldn't apply for any special cons for a longstanding disability/medical issue - I taught some Drama at GCSE recently and I had a parent quite angry that we couldn't apply for special cons for her son who had a form of cerebral palsy. You can absolutely work around it or incorporate it into performance pieces, but the candidate still has to meet the requirements of the spec and the mark scheme to access the top grades.

Is it worth contacting the exam board? My daughter has a physical disability and dances - RAD have guidelines so she doesn’t lose marks due to disability. I’d assume exam board would have guidelines too.

@Dixiechickonhols

Is it worth contacting the exam board? My daughter has a physical disability and dances - RAD have guidelines so she doesn’t lose marks due to disability. I’d assume exam board would have guidelines too.

From my interactions with the board, they don't.