Teacher of Drama

Miss A. Welsh

 

All learners within Drama will experience the Broad General Education (S1-S3). Learners have the option to study Drama further through the Senior Phase (S4-S6) in terms of certificated levels assessed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Broad General Education (S1-S3):

Learners will have the opportunity to experience and develop a range of skills in Drama over the course of S1-S3. These skills include:

• Working with others

• Creating, rehearsing, and performing a range of characters

• Creating, rehearsing and performing a range of scripted and devised scenes

• Developing an awareness of how to create mood and atmosphere

• Developing their understanding of how to use a range of production skills (lighting, sound, costume etc) safely and effectively

• Developing their ability to use drama specific terminology correctly 

• Giving and receiving feedback on their performances 

https://education.gov.scot/media/ogyjyehk/expressive-arts-eo.pdf  Curriculum for Excellence: Expressive Arts documentation

 

Senior Phase (S4-S6):

National 4 Drama

Learners complete three units: Drama Skills, Production Skills and an Added Value Unit. These are internally assessed by their Drama teacher over the course of the school year. 

In order to achieve these units, learners must devise, rehearse and perform a dramatic piece in groups while completing a written folio evidencing their creative decisions and their reasoning behind them. They must then prepare a scripted extract with a written folio as either an actor or as a production role (lighting, sound, props, costume, hair and makeup, or set). Some production roles may not be offered every year due to resources and suitability for candidates. Learners will perform in their chosen role to an audience and complete an evaluation of their performance. 

National 5 and Higher Drama

The National 5 - Higher SQA Drama course consists of two elements; the performance exam and the theory exam. Learners are examined in February/March for the performing component by an SQA examiner, and sit a theory paper during the SQA exam diet in May. 

For their practical exam, Learners prepare an extract of a script for performance to an external examiner. (One extract for National 5, two for Higher). They may be assessed as either an actor or as a production role (lighting, sound, props, costume, hair and makeup, or set). Some production roles may not be offered every year due to resources and suitability for candidates. Production roles require the completion of a folio evidencing the creative decisions made and the reasoning underpinning these choices. All learners must also complete a 400 word Preparation for Performance. Learners are expected to practice outside class time, either at home or during supported study. 

 SCQF Level 6 NPA - Professional Theatre Preparation

Throughout the year learners must take part in acting exercises developing their voice and movement skills. They must perform a devised piece of theatre and will also prepare a scripted extract. Learners must also prepare two contrasting monologues suitable for an audition and perform these to an audience. Learners must also create and maintain a folio of work, including research tasks and evaluative responses. 

Adv. Higher Drama

The Advanced Higher SQA Drama course consists of three elements; a project-dissertation on a theatre practitioner of your choice; an assignment that analyses a professional theatre production, and a performance of a scripted extract and a monologue which is performed to an external examiner in front of an audience.

 

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45957.html SQA Drama courses (overall)

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45957.html National 4 Drama

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47390.html National 5 Drama

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47894.html Higher Drama 

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/38388.html SCQF Level 6 NPA - Professional Theatre Preparation

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/48449.html Adv. Higher Drama