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Drama and Theatre Studies A Level (See Option Blocks on our website)

Notre Dame High School

Fulwood Road, Sheffield, S10 3BT

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Notre Dame High School

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

A-level Drama and Theatre Studies students create and perform drama and theatre in a variety of contexts, forms and styles. The course is highly practical in approach (while containing significant written assessment).

The course is a mixture of devising and script based study while underpinned by an appreciation of stage craft and knowledge of the work of key Theatre Practitioners and design and production elements. Seeing live performance is an integral part of the course.

On an average week, students will have at least 2hrs of practical Drama lessons

Course Details

The course is divided into 3 Components.

• Component 1: Theatre Workshop 20%

Acting or Design

Internally Assessed

- Students create and perform of a piece of theatre based on a reinterpretation of an extract from a text. The piece is developed using the techniques and methods of a theatre practitioner.

-Students in the past have used Frantic Assembly, Brecht and Punchdrunk.

-Students are marked on both their final performance or design, and a written creative log.

• Component 2: Text in Action 40%

Acting or Design

Externally Assessed

Students perform two pieces of theatre based on a stimulus

1. A devised piece using the techniques of a theatre. Students in the past have used Artaud.

2. An extract from a text. Students will use Naturalism and Stanislavski for this performance.

Students also produce a process and evaluation report within one week of completion of the practical work.

• Component 3: Text in Performance 40%

Externally assessed

• Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Sections A and B: Open book (clean copy) questions on Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, and Love and Information by Caryl Churchill

• Section C: A question based on a specified extract from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens. Details of the 10-15 minute extract will be released during the first week of March, in the year in which the examination is to be taken.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

3 hours a week are entirely practical - exploring Component 1 in Y12, and Component 2 in Y13. The remaining 2 hours a week are dedicated to Component 3.

Entry requirements

• An interest and willingness to explore drama in a variety of practical forms.

• A willingness to engage with academic and written work and apply oneself independently.

• GCSE grade 4 in Drama would be desirable, or significant previous experience to prepare oneself for the rigours of the course.

Your next steps...

Drama builds an increasingly necessary roster of skills such as creativity, interpersonal, self presentation, communication, initiative and team working skills that are crucial in today’s market place.

As well as opening doors to several direct career paths including the UK’s successful. Creative Arts industries it supports a range of associated careers from personnel and human resources, leadership and management roles, business coaching, marketing and sales, social work and public services, journalism, marketing and PR amongst many others.

Additional information

https://www.notredame-high.co.uk/sixth-form/

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