Drama and Theatre A Level 3

For students applying from other schools please see the information below.

For existing students at OPGS - you will be applying internally and will receive separate instructions

Applications Open - 11th December 2025

Applications Close - 30th January 2026

Entry Requirements:-

Students achieving a minimum of at least six GCSEs (9 – 5) of which at least four are at a grade 6 (or equivalent).

In addition, students must meet subject entry requirements, which in most cases require a minimum of Grade 6 in the subject to be studied, or related subjects. Some subjects will require a grade 7 or higher. Please see school website (https://www.opgs.org) for entry requirements needed for individual A level subjects.

Students must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics.

Typically, we would expect students following essay-based subjects to gain at least a grade 6 in English Language and students following scientific courses to gain at least a grade 7 in Mathematics.

The school shall determine which grades at 6 are required when A level subjects requested have not been taken at GCSE Level.

Priority will be given to existing pupils transferring from Year 11 who meet the entrance criteria

How to Apply

Students should select three or four A level subjects and include a 4th/5th as a reserve subjects. Please list your subjects in priority order and indicate which is your reserve choice.

Subject Choice

In choosing your subjects for A level you need to find out about the syllabus, examination requirements, coursework and the approach to study. Choose subjects that interest you and think carefully about the range and combination of subjects you would like to study. You may also wish to consider requirements for Higher Education or career paths.

Students should also note that the school cannot guarantee courses will run if there are not enough applicants. It is also possible that, in some subjects, numbers will have to be limited.

Linear Course Structure

Pearson Edexcel’s Drama and Theatre specification is designed to provide a balance across a range of learning activities. This specification combines the activities of exploring plays, creating theatre, the performing of plays, the analysis of theatre and the critical evaluation of all of these elements. Students completing the course successfully will have a thorough understanding of drama and theatre, highly toned analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others.

Component 1: Devising (Component Code: 9DR0/01)

Non-Examination Assessment (NEA)

40% of the qualification

80 marks

Content overview

• Devise an original performance piece.

• Use one key extract from a performance text and a theatre practitioner as stimuli.

• Student and Teacher choice of text and practitioner.

• Performer or designer routes available.

Assessment overview

• Internally assessed and externally moderated.

• There are two parts to the assessment:

1. a portfolio (60 marks, assessing AO1 and AO4) the portfolio submission recommendations are:

 can be handwritten/typed evidence between 2500–3000 words or recorded/verbal evidence between 12–14 minutes

or

 can be a combination of handwritten/typed evidence (between 1250–1500 words) and recorded/verbal evidence (between 6–7 minutes).

2. the devised performance/design realisation (20 marks, assessing AO2).

Component 2: Text in Performance (Component Code: 9DR0/02)

Non-Examination Assessment (NEA)

20% of the qualification

60 marks

Content overview

• A group performance/design realisation of one key extract from a performance text.

• A monologue or duologue performance/design realisation from one key extract from a different performance text.

• Student & Teacher choice of performance texts.

Assessment overview

• AO2 is assessed.

• Externally assessed by a visiting examiner.

• Group performance/design realisation: worth 36 marks.

• Monologue or duologue/design realisation: worth 24 marks.

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice (Paper Code: 9DR0/03)

Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

40% of the qualification

80 marks

Content overview

• Live theatre evaluation – choice of performance.

• Practical exploration and study of a complete text – focusing on how this can be realised for performance.

• Practical exploration and interpretation of another complete performance text, in light of a chosen practitioner – focusing on how this text could be reimagined for a contemporary audience.

• Choice of 15 performance texts from prescribed play list

• Choice of eight practitioners from prescribed practitioners list

Students are assessed through continuous assessment of their performance and written work marked against the assessment criteria of each component. The assessment method of each component is outlined below

Assessment overview

Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation

• 20 marks

• Students answer one extended response question from a choice of two requiring them to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen.

• Students are allowed to bring in theatre evaluation notes of up to a maximum of 500 words.

Section B: Page to Stage: Realising a Performance Text

• 36 marks

• Students answer two extended response questions based on an unseen extract from the performance text they have studied.

• Students will demonstrate how they, as theatre makers, intend to realise the extract in performance.

• Students answer from the perspective of a performer and a designer.

• Performance texts for this section are not allowed in the examination as the extracts will be provided.

Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text

• 24 marks

• Students will answer one extended response question from a choice of two using their chosen text.

• Students will demonstrate how their re-imagined production concept will communicate ideas to a contemporary audience.

• Students will also need to outline how the work of their chosen theatre practitioner has influenced their overall production concept and demonstrate an awareness of the performance text in its original performance conditions.

• Students are allowed to bring clean copies of their performance texts for this section, but no other printed materials.

Six 9-5 GCSE grades with at least four at grade 6

A minimum of a grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics

Grade 6 in GCSE Drama

Typically, we would expect students following essay-based subjects to gain at least a grade in English Language and students following scientific courses to gain at least a grade 7 in Mathematics.

You could take this course with other advanced level courses, which could be related to the performing arts, to prepare for higher education in the arts or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to the performing arts such as working in the Film, Television or Theatre industries. You may also like to look at joining a theatre group to increase your drama and theatre experience. The course offers a distinct subject content which provides you with the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers from lots of industries are looking for.