Drama GCSE

[Lacey2024]

My daughter has a diagnosis of patellar tendontis which means she has sensitive ligaments and muscles in her upper leg and if they become overworked she will collapse and not be able to put any weight on her leg for a couple of weeks and she always ends up on crutches for a couple of weeks, sometimes worse than others! She's struggling to choose her GCSE's but is falling towards drama (as a reserve). Her injury always holds her back I think, I see it in her. I want to support her as much as I can but I don't want to tell her she is capable of doing something then it go completely wrong, as I don't know if Drama GCSE is practical or if there is things that my daughter will be capable of doing.

What do any of you think?

It's quite physical, yes

GSCE drama does have a large practical element but it is accessible ( and has to be ) to all. My daughter did it and it was her favourite subject. There was a student who is a wheelchair user in her in group no issues as far as I know. The practical element can include acting, set design, sound or lighting, directing so loads of options.

I asked DD's drama teacher a similar question when DD (different physical disability) was choosing GCSE options. He lookd suprised that I'd even asked the question and she went on to choose it and do well. Your DD will be able to cover the syllabus working within her abilities.

My DD1 did GCSE drama and DD2 started it pre-covid.
Where there is physical movement they devise their own pieces so provided she is clear abut her needs it should be fine.
DD1 has dyspraxia and at one point her group though everyone being on the floor and gracefully rising to their feet would be good. DD explained no way would she manage that so they re-blocked it.

Both my DDs did drama GCSE. Old syllabus but I think devising and acting hasn’t changed. DD1 wasn’t physically active in her role nor DD2. In fact DD2’s role was to be an imperious statue like goddess. A role to which she was born and produced an A star. There is the study of a dramatic work too but what I would definitely do is look at the grades dc achieve. Where drama is taken seriously grades should be uniformly good and you want to avoid dc messing about. It’s a great GCSE for confidence boosting.