Eduqas A-Level Drama: Aiming for A/A*

ABOUT THIS COURSE

This course will demonstrate how to achieve Grades A and A* with your highest-ability students following the Eduqas A-Level Drama and Theatre specification. The course will provide teaching and learning ideas for all components across the two-year course, focusing on strategies to facilitate and challenge higher-ability students to achieve their potential. Using feedback from recent examinations, the course will outline what is expected of higher-ability students, offering methods to build your teaching practice around these expectations. This course also explores how to design your A-Level curriculum holistically to ensure success. Teachers will leave with proven strategies and approaches to implement in their teaching practice.

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Increased awareness of what teachers should aim to achieve with the most able Drama students
• Gain the latest evidence-based practices to challenge A/A* students
• Take away strategies and methods to meet the demands of Grades A and A*
• Detailed analysis of Component 1, including practical and written exemplar work at A/A* level
• In-depth exploration of Component 3, including strategies to teach the written paper effectively
• Practical strategies for facilitating outstanding practical work and coaching students to reach their full potential

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PROGRAMME

10.00am Achieving A and A in Eduqas A-Level Drama

• Characteristics of A/A* A-Level students
• Exploring your school and cohort: identifying which students can achieve these grades
• Designing a two-year course to bridge the gap between GCSE and A-Level
• High expectations and high rewards: teaching at a high level from Day 1

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10.30am Component 1: Devising Theatre – Teaching for Maximum Impact

• Unpacking A/A* standards: what are the characteristics of top students nationally?
• Strategies for raising attainment and teaching to the top through planning, guidance, and support
• Key takeaways from the Examiner’s Report, Assessment Criteria, and Mark Schemes
• Tips for achieving top grades in The Devising Portfolio
• Practical methods for students to create innovative and outstanding performances

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Break

11.30am

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11.45am Achieving A/A* in Component 3: Interpreting Theatre – Section A

• Preparing students for the demands of the written paper and high-level analysis
• Strategies to engage students before, during, and after live productions
• Guiding post-production discussions to enhance critical analysis
• Analysing exemplar answers: what does a Grade A/A* response look like?
• Training students to break down questions, write confident introductions, and structure top-band essays

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12.30pm Lunch

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1.30pm Achieving A/A* in Component 3: Sections B and C

• Structuring your Section B Set Text Scheme of Work to meet the needs of top-end students
• Preparing students for Section B Performer Questions: teaching them to demonstrate depth and originality
• Analysing A/A* exemplar work to identify key characteristics of success
• Tackling Section C: developing students’ confidence as directors and meeting examiner expectations

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2.50pm Break

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3.00pm Component 2: Performing Theatre – Facilitating Outstanding Practical Work

• Unpacking A/A* standards in Component 2: what are top students doing differently?
• Choosing the right texts and casting decisions to showcase students’ abilities
• Supporting students in monologues, duologues, and group performances to achieve their potential
• Addressing common rehearsal and performance challenges
• Strategies for pushing design students and enhancing technical contributions
• Developing top-level performers: what makes an exceptional actor, and how to coach for excellence

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3.45pm Depart