Linear or Modular A level?
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In a modular A level, AS examinations at the end of Year 12 are worth 50% of the A level.
In a linear A level, any AS examination at the end of Year 12 will not count towards the A level.
We expect students joining the Plume College to complete a transition piece of work for each subject between the end of Key Stage 4 and the start of Key Stage 5. This is assessed and feedback given to students when they start the courses in September. The following challenge(s) are to be completed over the summer break and brought to your first lesson.
The Summer Transition ‘CHALLENGE’
Challenge 1: Linked to Unit 1 controlled assessment: Students are to write up the workshop, in order for staff to mark the quality of their written work against the assessment criteria. Helping staff to ensure the right level of support is given to students in order for them to make progress. A good opportunity for students to explore how to write drama evidence in the form of a written response.
Challenge 2: Linked to Unit 2 Section A&B and Unit 1: Theatre A DVD of a Unit 2, Monologue, Duologue and Group piece from the 2014 exam series. Students will be able to watch the DVD to see the calibre of work created by our A level students at Plume. Students will also write a review of the performances making sure that they pay close attention to the performance criteria and Theatre review criteria
Challenge 3: Linked to Unit 1: Read the set texts for Unit 1 (Blood Wedding by Lorca/Equus by Peter Shaffer)
Challenge 4: Linked to Unit 1&2: Choose a monologue from Blood wedding (1 min) in length, Rehearse and perform at the beginning of Year 12
Challenge 5: Linked to Unit 1: A contextual PowerPoint that covers both texts (No plagiarism!!). The PowerPoint should cover the following:-
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Social
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Political
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Historical
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Cultural
Challenge 6: Linked to Unit 1:There should also be information on Key theatre practitioners:-
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Bertolt Brecht
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Antonin Artaud
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Constantin Stanislavski
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Edward Gordon Craig.
YOU WILL PRESENT YOUR POWER POINT! MAKE SURE YOU ARE PRESENTING THE INFORMATION AND NOT READING IT
FROM YOUR SLIDES! SHOW YOUR S,C,H,P KNOWLEDGE.
How the work produced will fit into subsequent work and the specification as a whole.
You will have familiarised yourself with the examination requirements of AS Drama and Theatre Studies. You will be able to begin to understand the marking criteria for every section of the SPEC. You will have a deeper knowledge of the

Texts you will be practically exploring as a class. It will prove to be an excellent baseline and subsequently the completion of this work will allow you to maximise your learning. Subsequently, it will also identify weaker candidates due to it’s quality completion.
How the work should be presented.
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Challenge 1: Word Document – (2 sides maximum)
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Challenge 2: Watch DVD and make notes. Word Document – (1000 words maximum)
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Challenge 3: Read the set texts ‘Equus’/’Blood Wedding’ – Pencil annotations in text books
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Challenge 4: You will be given an edited monologue text – rehearse ready for performance in class
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Challenge 5: Use power point to create a slide on each area. No cut and paste or plagiarism. Own words only.
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Challenge 6: Use power point to create a slide on each area. No cut and paste or plagiarism. Own words only.
Length of time expected to complete the challenge:-
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Challenge 1: 1 hour
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Challenge 2: 2 hours
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Challenge 3: However long it takes to read and annotate. I would advise you to read this in chunks.
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Challenge 4: Rehearsal time
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Challenge 5& 6: 2 hours but however long you would like to complete the task to a high standard.
How the work will be assessed and marked:-
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Challenge 1: Is linked to the Unit 1 exam requirements. You will need to continually write the practical tasks in order to have written evidence of your work. This then should be included In your controlled assessment and will allow you to gain top band marks – Unit 1 Exploration notes criteria. This will be marked against the criteria
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Challenge 2:Watch the attached unit 2 DVD (FAMILIRISE YOURSELF WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIT 2
SECTION A and B) this will help you see the calibre of student’s practical work at advanced level. Write a review on the performance. This will also help you learn the requirements and assessment criteria for the theatre review – UNIT 1. Your theatre review will be marked against the actual criteria.
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Challenge 3: Read the set texts for unit 1 ‘Blood Wedding’ by Lorca and ‘Equus’ by Peter Schaffer. This will aid your S, C,H.P understanding.
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Challenge 4: Using the given extract use the Unit 2 Section A criteria to guide your rehearsal process. Your teacher will use this to mark your performance.
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Challenge 5 & 6: You should plan to present your POWER POINT the information included in your power point will showcase your understanding and your teacher will use this as evidence as part of her practical marks for
Unit 1
Success criteria for this challenge:-
All the tasks are complete to allow students to develop their knowledge and Understanding of their chosen A level option.
AS SPECIFICATION AS DRAMA AND THEATRE https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/drama-and-theatre-studies-2008.html
1) Unit 1 Criteria (PAGES 21-22)
2) Unit 2 Section A and B PERFORMERS criteria ( SECTION A PAGES 32-33) (SECTION B PAGES 34-35)
Resources to be used for this work.
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You will need access to a computer: The internet, Power point, Word
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Essex Libraries – subject specific books
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Access to stationary and paper
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DVD player
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Equus and Blood wedding scripts
Who to contact if you should require further assistance with the work before the end of term?
Miss Marinos, Head of Drama: a.marinos@plume.essex.sch.uk

Mrs Palmer, Teacher of Drama: s.palmer@plume.essex.sch.uk
Mrs Ollet, Teacher of Drama: a.ollet@plume.essex.sch.uk
What equipment will be needed for the subject?
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Text Books
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Rehearsal clothes – suitable for practical lessons. No revealing clothes or Jewellery, Scarves and so on...
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Paper and stationary.
Extension
1) Students may wish to write a 500 word response detailing how they rehearsed their monologue. This must also justify their interpretation - Linked to Unit 2 Section A.
2) Choose another play and write e review in terms of it’s dramatic potential - LINKED TO THE UNIT 2 CRITERIA.
To understand more about this subject at a high level:-
If you fancy buying a book you should read: –
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Equus –Peter Schaffer IBSN: 978-0-14-118890-4
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Blood Wedding – Lorca IBSN: 978-0-7136-8516-9
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AS Drama and Theatre Studies student book – Edexcel IBSN: 978-1-84690-240-6
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Lorca – Autobiography IBSN: 978-0571142248
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Any books on key practitioners: Frantic Assembly, Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht, Augusto Boal, Constantin
Stanislavski, Steven Berkoff (Use the Essex Library Service)
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Buy the newspaper – “The Stage” and read about current issues surrounding Drama and Theatre. You can down load the APP or go on to their website https://www.thestage.co.uk/
Alternatively take a look at some of these websites: –
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The National Theatre – London http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
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The Globe theatre – London http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/?gclid=CIGYqomCmcYCFSMIwwod0VIARA
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Frantic Assembly http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/
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Kneehigh Theatre Company http://www.kneehigh.co.uk/?gclid=CNfw4-mCmcYCFYoIwwodMX0AJA
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Shunt Theatre Company http://www.shunt.co.uk/
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Barbican Theatre – London http://www.barbican.org.uk/support-us/barbican-centre-trust
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Edexcel Drama and Theatre Studies https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-alevels/drama-and-theatre-studies-2008.html
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Doollee – Plays database http://www.doollee.com/
Visits/ Galleries/ Museums/ places to see relevant to the course:-
1) See a piece of contemporary theatre using the newspaper “The stage” and its theatre review/ratings to help you decide an appropriate piece. Try to avoid seeing Musicals! It doesn’t have to be London!
2) Visit the Globe theatre and take the tour. Remember to make some notes!
3) Book a back stage tour at the National Theatre.