Drama
Staff
Ms H McCaughan BA PGCE (Head of Department)
Why Study Drama
Drama is introduced to our pupils at KS3. Pupils follow the NI Curriculum for Drama. This allows pupils to learn basic performance skills.
GCSE Studies
A GCSE in Drama is your gateway to a wide range of careers, not just those related to the entertainment industry. It is important for pupils to keep a creative channel open in the high stress environment of GCSEs.
Drama offers a springboard to all careers and will develop self-confidence, presentation skills and effective communication.
The course is flexible to allow pupils to tailor the optional elements to suit their strengths and passions.
For those who are keen to pursue Performance the GCSE offers a grounding in the skills used by trained Actors.
There are THREE components to the GCSE in DRAMA:
1) Devised Performance
2) Scripted Performance
3) Written Exam—90 minutes—Open Book on a set text and rehearsal work.
For Components 1 & 2 pupils will choose a Performance or Design pathway.
The Performance pathway will be:
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Acting
The Design pathway will be a choice of ONE of the following:
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Costume
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Set
So, why not allow your creative side to blossom and choose GCSE Drama. Whether you are interested in the entertainment industry or another career path, the thinking skills and personal capabilities gained through GCSE Drama are useful in all careers.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Drama Club takes place weekly in Room 26 from 3.30 -4.30pm on a Thursday. All pupils are welcome. It offers an opportunity for pupils to make new friends and have fun in a safe environment. The club is supervised by Ms McCaughan and facilitated by senior pupils with an interest in Drama.
Click to read more about Clubs and Societies available at Carrickfergus Grammar School
Career Opportunities
N. Ireland has never had so many flourishing opportunities in TV and film, especially in Design and Technical roles. This GCSE offers opportunities to gain skills in Design and Technical elements such as Costume, Lighting, Set, Sound or Multimedia.
The Drama GCSE offers a solid grounding for those wishing to continue their studies in Sixth Form, Further Education or University in Drama, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies or Technical work. Ulidia Integrated College offers a BTEC Level 3 qualification as part of the Carrickfergus Learning Community.
Useful Links
www.ccea.org.uk
www.nrc.ac.uk
https://ulidiacollege.com
http://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/
I am a skilled professional actor. Whether i have any talent is beside the point.
- Michael Caine
Career Options
A GCSE in Drama can lead on to other courses in this area, whether it is performance, design or technical. The Carrickfergus Learning Community offers a BTEC in Performing Arts at Ulidia Integrated College. There are numerous degree courses in all aspects of performance, technical and design work.
Career opportunities in Northern Ireland's growing creative industry are many, with film and television productions choosing to work with our skilled workforce.
Theatre and Entertainment is growing too, with theatre spaces in the Lyric and the MAC, not to mention the Grand Opera House and Odyssey Arena as venues that regularly host productions.
We have two world renowned television companies BBC NI and UTV.
However, while a GCSE in Drama offers pupils a creative outlet, in what may be an otherwise academic environment; the skills acquired in this subject are transferrable to any career. Team work, communication, presentation skills, self- confidence, organisational skills, professional conduct, reliability are just some of the important interpersonal skills developed, which all employers desire in their employees.