A-LEVEL DRAMA

While the Drama A-Level at d’Overbroeck’s is rigorously academic, it is essentially practical, offering students a unique approach to learning. It is an active and creative course which aims to nurture students’ enthusiasm for, and interest in, theatre both as audience members and participant.
Drama

WHAT IS A-LEVEL DRAMA?

On this course, we will answer these questions and you will learn to do all of the above and more. You will be shown the wonderful diversity in theatre and will learn to analyse, interpret and create imaginative, stylish and effective theatre, whilst increasingly becoming a competent theatre practitioner.

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WHAT YOU'LL DO

Drama and Theatre A level covers a broad range of skills and content. You will be asked to think about theatre as an actor, a director and a designer and show your skills in both performance and written essays. Practical work is at the heart of the subject – written work is always based on things we explore practically and assessed performance is a major part of the course. You will also go to see a lot of live theatre to inspire and influence your work, as well as analysing live performance in the final exam.

There are three components which make up the entire Drama and Theatre A level.
  • Component 1: Devising Practical and written coursework assessed by your teachers.
  • Component 2: Text in Performance Performance of one extract and a monologue or duologue from two different play texts, assessed by a visiting examiner.
  • Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice A written exam consisting of a Live Theatre Evaluation and the exploration and interpretation of two contrasting play texts in performance, explored practically in class and written about in the exam.
Drama
Drama

WHOM DOES THIS SUBJECT SUIT?

You need to be really enthusiastic about acting and theatre: watching it, doing it, talking and writing about it. Team-work is an essential element to the course. Students need to be very reliable in their attendance and punctuality, they need to like working creatively in teams and enjoy sharing and experimenting with ideas. There needs to be a willingness and independence in taking direction and developing both practical and academic skills. If you love drama and theatre and are able to commit your time and energy to your work, you will have a wonderful time on this course!


You do not need a GCSE in Drama to study at A-Level. However, it is important to demonstrate that you are keen and enthusiastic. It would be helpful therefore for you to have experience of performance in either school productions or other Youth Theatre groups. A good GCSE grade in English will help you with written coursework and the exam in the final year.

Drama

WHAT MIGHT THE SUBJECT LEAD TO?

Drama and Theatre A-Level is, of course, excellent preparation for a degree in Drama or Drama School training; however, the skills developed on this course are relevant to many different academic and professional areas. It combines very well with English and other Arts and Humanities subjects. Many of our students have gone on to study at Drama School or in theatre-related disciplines.

Drama
Drama | A-Level Subjects | d'Overbroeck's Oxford - Feature Cards Pattern

YOUR TEACHERS

Who teaches Drama?

Joe Swarbrick
Joe Swarbrick
Head of Drama

Joe studied English Literature at Cambridge before setting up his own theatre company. Before teaching, alongside acting, he was a singer and composer.

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Joe Swarbrick

Joe studied English Literature at Cambridge before setting up his own theatre company. Before teaching, alongside acting, he was a singer and composer. After taking a PGCE in English and Drama at Cambridge, Joe taught Drama at d’Overbroeck’s, becoming Head of Department in 2013. His interests in theatre include modern interpretations of Shakespeare, brutalist 90s playwrights, physical theatre and the odd well-penned musical.

Phil Wintle
Phil Wintle
Head of Media Studies

Before teaching at d’Overbroeck’s Phil completed his PhD at the University of Leicester with the History of Film department; he had previously read Drama with English (BA) and English (MA) at Loughborough University.

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Phil Wintle

Before teaching at d’Overbroeck’s Phil completed his PhD at the University of Leicester with the History of Film department; he had previously read Drama with English (BA) and English (MA) at Loughborough University. Phil is pleased that he is able to work in the Media, Drama and EPQ departments at d’Overbroeck’s, building on the skill and variety he had in his studies. He has previous teaching experience in primary and secondary schools, and also taught undergraduate students at the University of Leicester – because of which he is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has also worked with youth theatre groups, including at The Curve Theatre, Leicester, where he trained as a Young Arts Facilitator, and has been on the Board of Trustees at The Little Theatre, also Leicester. He remains involved in theatre, directing and acting in local productions; he is most proud of his production of The Zoo Story, which won several awards on route to the All-England Theatre Festival Final.

Fizza Hussain
Fizza Hussain
Assistant Head (Pastoral)

Fizza studied at Reading University before completing her PGCE in English and Drama at Oxford. She trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, under the mastery and pedagogy of Philippe Gaulier himself, where she then became a movement and acting teacher.

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Fizza Hussain

Fizza studied at Reading University before completing her PGCE in English and Drama at Oxford. She trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, under the mastery and pedagogy of Philippe Gaulier himself, where she then became a movement and acting teacher. She has additional skills in mime, masks and Commedia dell’Arte. Fizza has been a former Head of Drama at a variety of Independent and Comprehensive schools. She lived and worked in Paris for over 6 years before joining d’Overbroeck’s. In addition to teaching Drama, she has been an examiner and moderator for Drama and has extensive experience of teaching and coaching actors and directing and devising plays for performance in the UK and France. She pioneered the Oxford–Grenoble Youth Theatre link and led many Sixth Form groups to perform at the festival.

Beyond Drama Teaching, Fizza is also passionate about Coaching. She is qualified in three dynamic modalities: RMT Strategic Intervention Coaching; Jack Canfield coaching and NLP with Richard Bandler. She is also an experienced Programme Director, leading the academic and pastoral aspects for the 19+ Summer Programme, based at Oxford University. Fizza also leads the Lower 6 Personal Development Programme.

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UNRIVALLED CHOICE

We offer more than 36 A-level subjects, enabling students to choose a combination that best fits their strengths, interests, and future aspirations.

A-level Subjects