AQA GCSE Drama: Strategies for Success in the 2026 Exams

Course Code: T0291 £289.00

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Brand-New for 2025, this course will provide AQA GCSE Drama teachers with strategies to ensure students excel in the 2026 exams. The course covers teaching both practical and theoretical elements of the specification, with a focus on supporting students’ understanding of texts, improving performance work, and developing analytical skills for the written exam. Teachers will gain practical strategies for planning lessons and preparing students for both components of the course.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

  • Understand the key features and demands of the AQA GCSE Drama specification
  • Learn strategies to improve students’ performance and written exam skills
  • Gain insights into addressing common challenges and maximising student outcomes
  • Take away exemplar resources to enhance your teaching

PROGRAMME

10.00am Understanding the AQA GCSE Drama Specification

  • Exploring the key challenges of the AQA specification
  • Reviewing high-quality student work and examiner expectations
  • Structuring lessons to balance creativity, performance, and theory

10.55am Break

11.15am Teaching Texts and Practitioners Effectively

  • Engaging students with set texts and helping them interpret character, context, and style
  • Introducing practitioner techniques to develop practical and creative work
  • Practical exercises to link theory and performance

12.15pm Improving Written Exam Performance

  • Developing analytical and evaluative skills for Section B and C
  • Teaching students how to structure responses effectively
  • Addressing common pitfalls and using examiner feedback to enhance teaching

1.00pm Lunch

2.00pm Refining Practical and Devised Work

  • Preparing students for Component 1 and Component 2: Devising and Presenting
  • Supporting students in creating and performing high-quality work
  • Linking assessment objectives to practical outcomes for maximum success

2.45pm Planning for Long-Term Success

  • Structuring the two-year course to build skills and confidence
  • Using formative assessments to track progress and intervene effectively
  • Supporting all learners, from high-achievers to those needing additional help

3.15pm Final Q&A and Reflection

  • Addressing any outstanding challenges or questions
  • Sharing key takeaways and next steps for implementation

3.30pm Depart

GCSE - Code: T0291

AQA GCSE Drama: Strategies for Success in the 2026 Exams

COURSE LEADER

Matthew Rowlands-Roberts was a professional actor for the Peter Hall Company, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Blackeyed Theatre Company prior to becoming a qualified drama teacher in both mainstream and independent schools. He was until very recently Head of Drama at a leading independent school in central London. In the 2021 cohort Matthew attained 100% Level 9’s with his GCSE students and 100% A*-A grade with his A level students.

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