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Drama and Theatre

Drama and Theatre is a practical, engaging and creative specification. It will provide opportunities to examine drama and the work of others, to explore a range of plays, and to create drama performances.

The main purpose of the qualification is to allow students to study drama and theatre in a practical and academic setting, interrogating this art form and applying their knowledge and understanding to the process of creating and developing drama and theatre and to their own performance work.

Qualifications & Assessments

Exam Board OCR
Level Level 3
Qualification A Level
Assessment Method Written exams (40%), Practical Portfolio (60%)
Entry Requirements Entry Requirements
Photograph of a drama student reading a script

There are four units in total.

Practitioners in practice (40%)
A non-exam assessment and consists of a research report, a portfolio and a performance.

Exploring and performing texts (20%)
Non-exam assessment and consists of a pro forma completed by learners before a performance for a visiting examiner.

Analysing performance (20%)
Consisting of two set texts and a live theatre review.

Deconstructing texts for performance (20%)
Examined component consisting of the annotation of an extract from the text and an extended response question.

This qualification provides a strong foundation for students to progress to Higher Education and equips them for progression into the workplace. Students progress to study Drama and Theatre at university or onto a vocational training programme at a Drama school or in the Performing Arts industry.

Drama and Theatre A Level students progress successfully to both university and Drama School institutions. Drama and Theatre students are currently studying Drama at a range of Higher Education institutions including Russell Group Universities such as Leeds, Birmingham, Warwick and Manchester. Drama A level can help students who are high achieving to build confidence, independence and creativity. Many employers now actively seek out Drama graduates.

Ex- Aquinas students work directly in the creative industries and trace the igniting of their creativity back to experiences studying Drama at Aquinas. Past students have moved into varied drama careers including acting, directing, theatre design, and stage management.

  • Students will be required to participate in the workshops, trips and visits to see companies in Manchester, Salford and beyond that are an integral part of the course. Students will be cast in a full scale theatre production at Aquinas in the theatre as a coursework requirement.

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News & Blog

Latest From Aquinas

Last night saw the presentation party for the latest, great issue of our student magazine. There was yet again a great selection of articles and stories, all written and designed by our fantastically, talented students.

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We are proud to announce the launch of our brand-new website! This platform marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to innovation and excellence. Designed to support academic success and enhance the student experience, our new website serves as a central hub for information, events, news, and resources related to life at Aquinas College.

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I am thrilled for Aquinas students who have produced another outstanding set of results. Over 58% of A level results have been at the highest grades of A*, A or B, with a 99% pass rate. In addition, 70% of Vocational grades were at Distinction* or Distinction grades with a 100% pass rate. These amazing […]

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On Wednesday 19th June the media department took a group of students to visit the excellent facilities at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)’s Media Factory. The students were given a tour of the facilities including a state of the art fully functioning TV studio.

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