ABOUT THIS COURSE: Pearson Drama: Achieving A and A* grades

This new course is focused on how to ensure your students achieve the highest marks in Pearson Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre Studies. It will focus on exploring the characteristics of work produced by students working at the highest levels and explore a range of teaching materials designed to ensure that students achieve the top grades of A and A*.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

  • Obtain teaching ideas and approaches that challenge and develop A and A* students
  • Explore exemplar materials to identify characteristics of outstanding work
  • Consider lessons learnt from the examination series in 2019 and how to apply these to your teaching
  • Take away key methods for ensuring students get A and A* in each of the three components
COURSE DATES Online | Wednesday 31st March 2021

London | Thursday 17th June 2021
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? 
  • Teachers of Pearson Edexcel A level Drama and Theatre
  • Heads of Drama Department
  • Directors of Faculties of Performing Arts
  • Senior leaders with responsibility for the Arts
COURSE CODE 7805
IN-SCHOOL You can also book this as an In-School Course
INCLUDED
  • A specially prepared folder of detailed notes, practical advice and guidance
  • Notes prepared by the educational experts leading the course
  • Expert produced PowerPoint presentations
  • CPD Certificate of attendance

 

10.00 – 11.00am
Focus on assessment demands for A and A* students

  • Examine the assessment demands of all components for the highest grades
  • Consider the most effective models for delivery of the course to ensure effective assessment practise across 2 years
  • Review characteristics of A and A* A Level students
  • Consider feedback and lessons learnt from 2019 examination series for Grade A and A* students
  • The range of questions in the written exam and how and what the most able students do with them

11.00-11.15am
Coffee break and informal discussion

11.15-12.15pm
Achieving A and A* in Component 1

  • A toolkit for teaching success for A and A* students
  • What A and A* looks like for each of AO1, AO2 and AO4 in Component 1
  • Examine exemplar portfolios and develop understanding of the characteristics of the work of the most successful candidates
  • What the moderators are looking for in top level A and A* performances
  • Teaching approaches that create high level thinking in Devising throughout the 2 year course

12.15 – 1.00pm
A and A* performance in Component 2

  • Review examples of A and A* work on Text in Performance: what differentiated the highest level students
  • Teaching techniques to strengthen top level students on the Group performance/design realisation task
  • Monologue or duologue/design realisation: approaches to support and challenge the most able
  • Developing and extending A and A* skills on Text in Performance across the two years

1.00 – 2.00pm
Lunch and informal discussion

1.45-3.15pm
Achieving A and A* in the Component 3 written paper    

  • Answering the 20, 24 and 36 mark questions: what does a grade A/A* candidate need to do?
  • Examine strong exemplar responses to the focussed extract questions for Section B – prepare students to respond as a performer and designer to A and A* level
  • Understanding effective production concepts for Section C – how to support students to write as a director to an excellent standard
  • Evaluating live theatre performance excellently for Section A
  • Teaching the highest demands of outstanding use of theatrical language – what examiners expect to see from A and A* students

3.15-3.45pm
Extending the most able beyond the curriculum

  • Planning with and designing support for students aiming for top grades
  • Practising exam technique for the most able
  • Extra-curricular ideas that help get A and A* grades

Matt Yeoman

Matt Yeoman is an experienced teacher of GCSE and A-Level Drama. from across the country to develop their practice and improve outcomes for students. Having achieved outstanding results at both GCSE and A Level, Matt has worked as the CPD advisor for the National Music and Drama Expo for the past 3 years.