Drama is a subject that allows pupils to develop both socially and personally. It allows pupils to gain a greater awareness of self and others and to improve skills in communication, co‑operation and relationships. Pupils in National 4 and 5 will work co-operatively throughout the entire year, with National 5 pupils going on to complete an external written exam.
National 4 and 5
In these Courses, and their component Units, there will be an emphasis on skills development and the application of those skills. They will provide learners with opportunities to continue to acquire and develop the attributes and capabilities of the four capacities, as well as skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work.
Aims of the courses:
- generate and communicate thoughts and ideas when creating drama
- develop a knowledge of social and cultural influences on drama
- develop skills in presenting drama
- develop production skills when presenting drama
- use drama skills in a drama performance
- explore form, structure, genre and style
National 4
The Course consists of three mandatory Units, including the Added Value Unit:
Drama Skills
In this Unit, learners will explore and develop drama skills and ways of communicating thoughts and ideas to an audience. They will learn how to respond to stimuli. They will also learn how to develop portrayal of character and will develop knowledge of form, structure, genre and style when creating and presenting drama.
Learners will develop knowledge of social and cultural influences on drama. They will also learn how to reflect on their own progress and that of other learners.
Drama: Production Skills
In this Unit, learners will explore and develop production skills. They will use these skills to enhance drama when presenting. Learners will use problem solving skills in order to generate ideas for presenting drama.
Added Value Unit: Drama: Performance
This Unit adds value by introducing challenge and application. Learners will draw on and extend their knowledge and apply their production skills in a drama performance. The Unit will focus on the process and product of learning. The performance will be sufficiently open and flexible to allow for personalisation and choice.
To achieve the National 4 Drama Course, learners must pass all of the required Units, including the Added Value Unit. National 4 Courses are not graded.
National 5
The Course consists of two mandatory Units and the Course assessment.
Drama Skills
In this Unit, learners will explore and develop a range of drama skills and ways of communicating thoughts and ideas to an audience. They will develop a range of skills as an actor. They will learn how to respond to stimuli, including text. They will also learn how to develop portrayal of character in a range of ways and develop knowledge and understanding of form, structure, genre and style when creating and presenting drama. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of social and cultural influences on drama. They will also learn how to evaluate their own progress and that of other learners.
Drama: Production Skills
In this Unit, learners will develop a range of production skills. They will use these skills to enhance drama when presenting. Learners will use problem-solving skills in order to generate ideas for presenting drama.
To gain the award of the Course, the learner must pass all of the Units as well as the Course assessment.
Course Assessment
Learners will draw on, extend and apply the skills they have learned during the Course. This will be assessed through a performance and a question paper. The performance will involve creating and presenting a drama. The question paper will require demonstration of a depth of knowledge and understanding from the Course.