The Drama and Theatre Studies course enables students to pursue their interests and develop their skills in a range of practical drama elements. Primarily, we focus on acting and directing, but students are encouraged to experiment with the design elements of costume, set, lighting and sound, according to their own interests. In addition to valuable performance or theatre design skills, Drama’s demanding written paper (40%) and devising portfolio (30%), give students an entry qualification for courses in higher education. The higher-order thinking skills of observation, analysis and evaluation tested here all lead to intelligent creative thinking: these not only support a career in drama or the media, but also a host of professions ranging from law, advertising or occupational therapy to social work or teaching. Drama students learn to meet performance deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively, problem-solving and ‘thinking outside the box’. As well as being fun, Drama students often find themselves at the forefront of the annual inter-house Drama Competition. Any Drama student needs to see as much live theatre as possible. Evening theatre trips are arranged depending on what is programmed in the region (from Plymouth to Bristol). Digital recordings of current live productions by the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company are also permissible for the exam question analysing live theatre. It is helpful, but not obligatory, to have studied Drama at GCSE.
Before being accepted into the Sixth Form on our standard academic programme, we would normally expect you to have acquired a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade 5 or above on the new 9-1 grading scale (grade C and above for A*-G Welsh and some iGCSE programmes). However, individual circumstances and choice of subjects are taken into account. A prospective student for an individual A-level subject should achieve at least a grade 5 in that subject at GCSE. In some subjects, higher GCSE grades are required. Modern foreign languages require a grade 6 at GCSE and science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics) require a grade 7 (double 7 in combined science), although a grade 6 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Those wishing to study mathematics will have a minimum of a grade 7 at GCSE, while for further mathematics it is a grade 8. For psychology A-level, it is expected that students will have a least grade 5 in GCSE English language, mathematics and at least one science. New students – UK: Every year we welcome new students from both independent and state schools into our Sixth Form. Every applicant is considered individually. If you are available, please come to our Open Evening in October. We also recommend you visit us on a normal school day where you will have the chance to meet the Headmaster, Head of Sixth Form and current students. Offers are made on the basis of an interview and are conditional on your GCSE results. New students – International: International students are expected to have a reasonable competence in spoken and written English on arrival at West Buckland and the ability to progress with the specialist support of the EAL department. Overseas students applying to study at West Buckland should provide the following to start their application: • Copies of their last two school reports. • A piece of their handwriting (one to two sides of A4), written in English, telling us about themselves, their hobbies and interests.
Component 1: Devising (40%) Having studied a play text, students use a 10-minute section as the stimulus for independent creation of a group performance. This piece must demonstrate the influence of a drama practitioner such as Artaud, Stanislavski or Brecht, different from the practitioner chosen for question 3 of the written exam. Students may be examined for acting, direction or design. The performance is worth 10%. Students independently produce a portfolio, worth 30%, analysing and evaluating their devising process and piece. Component 2: Text in Performance (20%) Students independently develop and deliver performances of a group piece and a monologue. These are taken from two published play texts different in style and subject matter from those used elsewhere. Component 3: Drama and Theatre (40%) 3-hour written exam with three questions on: • Discursive analysis of a live theatre production • One post-1900 play • One pre-20th century play
About Education Provider
| Region | South West |
| Local Authority | Devon |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Day £9,090 - £20,640; Boarding £27,090 - £40,290 |
| Sixth Form Fee | Unknown |
| Address | West Buckland, Barnstaple, EX32 0SX |
The Drama and Theatre Studies course enables students to pursue their interests and develop their skills in a range of practical drama elements. Primarily, we focus on acting and directing, but students are encouraged to experiment with the design elements of costume, set, lighting and sound, according to their own interests. In addition to valuable performance or theatre design skills, Drama’s demanding written paper (40%) and devising portfolio (30%), give students an entry qualification for courses in higher education. The higher-order thinking skills of observation, analysis and evaluation tested here all lead to intelligent creative thinking: these not only support a career in drama or the media, but also a host of professions ranging from law, advertising or occupational therapy to social work or teaching. Drama students learn to meet performance deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively, problem-solving and ‘thinking outside the box’. As well as being fun, Drama students often find themselves at the forefront of the annual inter-house Drama Competition. Any Drama student needs to see as much live theatre as possible. Evening theatre trips are arranged depending on what is programmed in the region (from Plymouth to Bristol). Digital recordings of current live productions by the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company are also permissible for the exam question analysing live theatre. It is helpful, but not obligatory, to have studied Drama at GCSE.
Before being accepted into the Sixth Form on our standard academic programme, we would normally expect you to have acquired a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade 5 or above on the new 9-1 grading scale (grade C and above for A*-G Welsh and some iGCSE programmes). However, individual circumstances and choice of subjects are taken into account. A prospective student for an individual A-level subject should achieve at least a grade 5 in that subject at GCSE. In some subjects, higher GCSE grades are required. Modern foreign languages require a grade 6 at GCSE and science subjects (biology, chemistry, physics) require a grade 7 (double 7 in combined science), although a grade 6 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Those wishing to study mathematics will have a minimum of a grade 7 at GCSE, while for further mathematics it is a grade 8. For psychology A-level, it is expected that students will have a least grade 5 in GCSE English language, mathematics and at least one science. New students – UK: Every year we welcome new students from both independent and state schools into our Sixth Form. Every applicant is considered individually. If you are available, please come to our Open Evening in October. We also recommend you visit us on a normal school day where you will have the chance to meet the Headmaster, Head of Sixth Form and current students. Offers are made on the basis of an interview and are conditional on your GCSE results. New students – International: International students are expected to have a reasonable competence in spoken and written English on arrival at West Buckland and the ability to progress with the specialist support of the EAL department. Overseas students applying to study at West Buckland should provide the following to start their application: • Copies of their last two school reports. • A piece of their handwriting (one to two sides of A4), written in English, telling us about themselves, their hobbies and interests.
Component 1: Devising (40%) Having studied a play text, students use a 10-minute section as the stimulus for independent creation of a group performance. This piece must demonstrate the influence of a drama practitioner such as Artaud, Stanislavski or Brecht, different from the practitioner chosen for question 3 of the written exam. Students may be examined for acting, direction or design. The performance is worth 10%. Students independently produce a portfolio, worth 30%, analysing and evaluating their devising process and piece. Component 2: Text in Performance (20%) Students independently develop and deliver performances of a group piece and a monologue. These are taken from two published play texts different in style and subject matter from those used elsewhere. Component 3: Drama and Theatre (40%) 3-hour written exam with three questions on: • Discursive analysis of a live theatre production • One post-1900 play • One pre-20th century play