Senior Phase Drama Course Outlines
Subject Overview:
Courses: Drama - National 5 and Higher
National 5 Drama is a very practical course designed to develop creativity, performance, and production skills. Learners delve deeper into characterisation, voice, movement and production skills such as lighting, sound, set, costume, props and hair / make-up. The N5 course is assessed through a practical performance (60%) and a written question paper (40%). If pupils are presented at National 4 level there is no written question paper.
Higher Drama enables learners to develop and use a range of complex acting, directing, or design skills alongside analytical skills in theatre production. The course assessment is divided into a practical performance (60%) and a written exam (40%).
Details of course assessments for each level are outlined below:
Webster’s High School Drama Courses National 5 – Higher
National 5
|
Component |
Assessment |
Assessment date |
|
Drama Skills |
Pupils create and present drama. Pupils must respond to stimuli, generate ideas and use a range of drama skills to portray characters. |
Evidence gathered throughout the course. Internal assessment.
|
|
Production Skills |
Pupils must research the historical, social, and geographical context of a play to ensure authentic designs, justifying their choices, linking them to themes, characters and target audience. |
|
|
Practical Exam |
A practical acting exam or in a production role where pupils perform an extract or create a design portfolio for the script. |
Practical exam diet: QS assessor visit (March – before Easter) |
|
Written Exam |
This lasts 1.5 hours. |
Main exam diet (May) |
Higher
|
Component |
Course details |
Assessment date |
|
Text in context |
Pupils will explore a text practically and through extended writing. Pupils will watch and evaluate a professional production. |
Evidence gathered throughout the course. |
|
Performance Analysis |
||
|
Practical Exam |
Pupils to be assessed as an actor, designer or director. |
Practical exam diet: QS assessor visit (March – before Easter) |
|
Written Exam |
Pupils to complete 2 essays in 2 hours. |
Main exam diet (May) |
Written prelims take place in early December. Practical Drama prelims take place in February / March.
Course Documents
Useful Links & Websites
See below for some useful links and websites
 |
Qualifications Scotland Higher Drama |
| Qualifications Scotland Higher Drama | |
|
Qualifications Scotland National 5 Drama |
| Qualifications Scotland National 5 Drama |