New to Teaching AQA GCSE Drama

Course Code: T0364 £249.00 – £289.00

ABOUT THIS COURSE

This practical and engaging course is designed to help Drama teachers with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to successfully teach the AQA GCSE Drama specification. Whether you're new to the course or looking to refine your approach, this in-depth course will provide expert guidance, ready-to-use resources, and hands-on strategies to ensure your students achieve their full potential. You’ll explore key assessment areas, curriculum planning, and best practices for preparing students for both written and practical components. You’ll leave with practical solutions to common challenges, a clear understanding of exam requirements, and new ways to inspire creativity and engagement in the Drama classroom.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the AQA GCSE Drama specification
  • Understand the key assessment areas and what examiners are looking for
  • Develop a structured curriculum plan tailored to your school’s needs
  • Explore engaging teaching strategies for both practical and written components
  • Discover top tips and resources to support students of all abilities
  • Feel confident in preparing students for final assessments and practical performances
  

PROGRAMME

10.00am: Outline of the GCSE Course with AQA.
  • Explanation of the specification content and understand the four assessment areas
  • Breaking down each component: expectations for students and teachers
  • Identifying common challenges and pressure points – and how to tackle them effectively
  • Developing a structured curriculum plan that works for your school
10.45am: Break
11.00am: Component 1 – The Written Exam
  • Engaging students with set texts: effective teaching strategies for Section B
  • Approaching Live Theatre Evaluation (Section C) – guiding students to write insightful, evaluative, and analytical responses
  • Making the most of online resources and recorded performances when live theatre is unavailable
  • Examiner insight: analysing exemplar responses to understand how to achieve top marks
  • Supporting structured writing with sentence starters, key terminology, and writing frames
  • Mastering multiple-choice questions in Section A
  • Time management techniques to help students structure their exam responses effectively
12.00pm: Component 2 – Devising Theatre
  • Exploring stimuli that inspire high-quality devised performances
  • Strategies for giving feedback without directing and creating devising exercises that foster innovation
  • Teaching students to write detailed explanations within their devising logs to access the higher mark bands
  • A practical approach to the students completing their devising logs throughout the process
  • Using the assessment criteria and key vocabulary to ensure top marks in the devising log
1.00pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Component 3 – Practical Examination
  • Selecting texts that allow students to demonstrate a range of skills and emotions
  • Overcoming common rehearsal challenges, including issues with attendance, engagement, and time constraints
  • Preparing students for performance assessments using AQA marking criteria and feedback strategies
3.00pm: Break
3.10pm: Final Summary and Q&A
  • Addressing remaining questions and sharing final top tips
  • Ensuring you leave with practical strategies and resources to take back to your classroom
3.30pm: Depart  
GCSE - Code: T0364

New to Teaching AQA GCSE Drama

COURSE LEADER

Megan Cambridge trained at Rose Bruford Drama School and, after spending time as a professional actor, transitioned into teaching in 2011. She has gained a wealth of experience in state schools and has held a Subject Leader role since 2018, driving improvements in student performance across all ability levels and leading curriculum development.

Megan is also an experienced examiner for AQA, assessing both the GCSE written and practical examinations. Her experience in examining has deepened her understanding of assessment criteria and student success.

Alongside her leadership and examining roles, Megan is passionate about performing arts education. She owns and runs her own performing arts school, delivering weekend classes to inspire and develop young performers, sharing her passion and love for the arts beyond the classroom.

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Course Brochure