Route map through learning, teaching and
assessment
Course: Drama
Level: Higher
This route map is intended to assist staff in planning and delivering the overall vision for Curriculum for Excellence.
It has been developed to signpost the relevant support materials available to assist staff in the planning of learning,
teaching and assessment of Higher Drama.
The vision for the new qualifications is to create assessment opportunities that follow and support learning and
teaching. This follows the principles laid out in Building the Curriculum 5 and makes assessment a natural part of
learning and teaching.
Education Scotland has published support materials to help staff develop programmes of learning drawn from three
sources: course materials commissioned by Education Scotland, other support materials produced by staff
seconded to Education Scotland and course materials provided by staff through their education authorities. Further
materials will be added as they become available.
These support materials are not intended to constrain staff, hence they are neither prescriptive nor exhaustive.
They provide suggestions on approaches to learning and teaching that will promote development of the necessary
knowledge, understanding and skills for Higher Drama. Staff are encouraged to draw on these materials, and
existing materials, to develop their own programmes of learning which are appropriate to the needs of learners
within their own context.
The link to Education Scotland’s support materials can be found below together with a number of other subjectspecific links staff may find helpful as they develop programmes of learning for Higher Drama. These links are
followed by a sequential list of the key guidelines, advice and support for the Higher Drama qualification. This
information is intended to support staff in deciding the most appropriate ways to generate evidence and assess
candidates.
Useful links for learning and teaching Higher Drama:
Education Scotland NQ course materials on GLOW (login and password required):
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqcoursematerials/subjects/drama/index.asp (copy and paste this link into
your browser)
Education Scotland NNQs support
A link to support materials for existing National Qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningteachingandassessment/curriculumareas/expressivearts/nqs/index.as
p
SQA course and unit support notes providing advice and guidance on learning and teaching
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Drama.pdf
DRAMA
Key Curriculum for Excellence support
A quick guide to finding vital information about Curriculum for Excellence under the following headings:
 the latest guidance, updates and plans for embedding Curriculum for Excellence
 information on assessment
 information on the new qualifications.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/keycfesupport/index.asp
National Assessment Resource (login and password required)
Materials that inform planning for learning, teaching, moderation and assessment.
https://www.narscotland.org.uk/
New South Wales Department of Education and Training
An extract from Curriculum Support for Teaching in Creative Arts: Scriptwriting in Drama
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/creativearts/assets/drama/pdf/scriptwriting.pdf
Teachit.co.uk
Resources for staff teaching drama.
http://www.teachit.co.uk/armoore/drama/drama.htm#ks4
Higher Drama course content
Higher Drama consists of two units and a coursework assessment.
Drama Skills
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Drama_DramaSkills.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Drama Production Skills
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_Unit_H_Drama_Drama_ProductionSkills.pdf
There is a full package of unit assessment support available on the SQA secure website for this mandatory unit.
The package includes unit assessments for both combined approaches, and also unit-by-unit approaches.
Course assessment
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GAInfoHigherDrama.pdf
This document provides general assessment information regarding the drama performance component of the
course assessment.
The new qualification in Higher Drama shares many similarities with the previous course. There are clear parallels
to be drawn between the new Drama Skills unit and the Investigative Drama unit from the previous qualification.
However, there will be more emphasis on investigating the themes and issues from a range of texts from which
learners will progress their devising, directing and performing skills. Through the Drama Production Skills unit,
learners will, as in the previous higher qualification, be able to research one dramatic text in its theatrical and
historical context.
DRAMA
Unit Assessment
Units are mandatory when taken as part of the full Higher Drama course but they can be standalone also. Unit
support notes follow on from the course support notes.
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Drama.pdf
Requirements for the coursework assessment (performance)
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseAssessSpec_Higher_ExpressiveArts_Drama.pdf
The course assessment specification provides a detailed overview of the requirements for each component of the
course assessment.
Performance
The performance is worth a total of 60 marks. This counts towards 60% of the overall course assessment. The
performance has two sections: preparation for performance (10 marks), and a performance (50 marks).
Preparation for Performance: After selecting an appropriate text, learners will be expected to explore it in depth
from the perspective of either an actor or director or designer.
The Performance: The performance provides an opportunity for learners to be assessed in one of three areas: as
an actor, as a director or as a designer. The performance for the actors must take place in front of a ‘live’ audience.
The centre is responsible for ensuring the conditions appropriate to the context of the live performance are met.
Question paper
The question paper adds value by requiring integration and application of knowledge and skills from across the
units. The question paper is in two sections.
Section 1 will have 20 marks. This section will deal with the analysis of a selected text. The question paper will
pose questions that allow learners to provide an extended response from the perspective of either an actor or a
director or a designer.
Section 2 will have 20 marks. This section will take the form of a written analysis of a performance that the learner
has seen, either in a live or, if necessary, a recorded theatrical performance.
An example of the specimen question paper demonstrating the scope of question types used and how learners are
expected to apply their knowledge and understanding can be accessed through the following link:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/DramaSQPH.pdf.
Further detailed guidance on assessment standards can be accessed in the ‘drama performance assessment’ task,
in the following document on the SQA Secure website.
https://secure.sqa.org.uk/files/cfe/Drama/Higher/CATHigherDrama.pdf
Points of change and areas of stability across National 5 and new CfE Higher are documented in the following
document: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/H_Drama_Course_comparison.pdf.
DRAMA
Verification
The verification process is intended to be supportive to practitioners.
Internal verification is the process of ensuring standards are applied uniformly and consistently within a school in
line with national standards. External verification is the process of ensuring that national standards are maintained
consistently across all schools and is carried out by SQA.
Information on quality assurance is available at: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58448.html.
The following links will also support practitioners when preparing evidence for verification purposes including prior
verification, as well as internal and external verification:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/Prior%20Verification%20Centre%20Guidance%20FINAL.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/InternalVerificationGuideforSQAcentres.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Evidence_required_for_verificationevents.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/SQA_Evidence_retention_requirements_A3_table.pdf.
Key messages from the verification process will be posted on the SQA website.
Results services
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/FA6669_SQA_Results_Services_A5_8pp_brochure_web.pdf
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/65427.html
SQA offer two services to replace the appeals process:
 Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Service (details to be provided to SQA within ten days of the learner
sitting the external assessment)
 Post-results Service – this consists of a clerical check and/or a marking review if the centre has concerns about
the results of an individual or group.
T +44 (0)141 282 5000 E enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk W www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Education Scotland, Denholm House, Almondvale Business Park, Almondvale Way, Livingston EH54 6GA
© Crown copyright, 2012
You may re-use this information (excluding images and logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing that it is reproduced
accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the document title specified.
To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence or e-mail: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.