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It explains why learners should choose AQA, highlighting practical exploration of drama, devising, and text-based performances, with options to develop as performers, designers, or both. It details progression, transferable skills, and the exam paper approach, supported by teaching resources and support services.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/gcse-drama-8261-specification-aqa-version-18-june-2026/623003/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/gcse-drama-8261-specification-aqa-version-18-june-2026/623003.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"jayni","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-04","2026-10-20",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":39},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"What learning activities does the GCSE Drama specification emphasise?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"It emphasises practical work in drama, devising drama, and two text-based performances. Students also explore texts practically and develop theatrical skills through a mix of practical and written learning.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"Which pathways can students choose within GCSE Drama?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"Students can choose to develop as a performer, a designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets), or both performer and designer.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"How is the written exam paper designed to support students?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"The written paper uses a variety of question styles that require students to combine what they have learned about how drama is performed with practical experience and imagination, with quality marking focused on reflecting students’ achievements.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":124,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":62},623003,1792525472,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":19,"category_name":20,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":39,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":139,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":145,"preview_page_count":4},3985747859343,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_276721f389ce27ea32af1340a28f341c","| GCSE\u003Cbr>DRAMA\u003Cbr>(8261) |\n| --- |\n| Specification\u003Cbr>For teaching from September 2016 onwards For GCSE exams in 2018 onwards |\n\nVersion 1.8 June 2026  \nContents  \n1 Introduction 5  \n1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Drama 5  \n1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 6  \n2 Specification at a glance 9  \n2.1 Subject content 9  \n2.2 Assessments 9  \n3 Subject content 11  \n3.1 Understanding drama 11  \n3.2 Devising drama 15  \n3.3 Texts in practice 16  \n3.4 Guidance on theatrical skills 17  \n4 Scheme of assessment 21  \n4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 21  \n4.2 Assessment components 21  \n4.3 Assessment objectives 37  \n4.4 Assessment weightings 37  \n4.5 Assessment criteria 38  \n5 Non-exam assessment administration 45  \n5.1 Supervising and authenticating 45  \n5.2 Avoiding malpractice 45  \n5.3 Administration for Component 2 46  \n5.4 Administration for Component 3 47  \n6 General administration 49  \n6.1 Entries and codes 49  \n6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 49  \n6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 49  \n6.4 Resits and shelf life 50  \n6.5 Set texts 50  \n6.6 Previous learning and prerequisites 50  \n6.7 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 50  \n6.8 Working with AQA for the first time 51  \n6.9 Private candidates 51  \n[Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8261](Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 3  \nAre you using the latest version of this specification?  \n• You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at  \n[aqa.org.uk/8261](aqa.org.uk/8261)  \n• We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification.  \n[4](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[ Visit](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8261](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8261 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration  \n1 Introduction  \n1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Drama  \nOur specification engages and encourages students to become confident performers and designers with the skills they need for a bright and successful future.  \nBecause performance is paramount  \nWe've built in as much opportunity as possible for students to do what they like best – participate in performance.  \nAll students devise drama.  \nAll students explore texts practically and work on two text-based performances.  \nStudents can choose to develop as a:  \n• performer  \n• designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets)  \n• performer and designer.  \nWhichever option they choose, students can be sure to gather many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.  \nAiming for success  \nOur written exam paper is designed to help all students realise their full potential.  \nWe use a variety of question styles and ask students to combine what they’ve learned about how drama is performed with their practical experience and imagination.  \nWhen setting the paper, quality of marking is at the forefront of our minds. We know how important it is that your students get results that reflect their achievements.  \nClear progression to AS and A-level  \nThis specification ensures continuity for students progressing from GCSE Drama to AS and A-level Drama and Theatre.  \nStudents who go on to AS or A-level are already familiar with studying a whole set text for the written paper. They have built solid foundations in reviewing a live theatre production and in interpreting key extracts.  \nAll of these aspects feature in the AS and A-level as well as the GCSE.  \nTransferable skills  \nStudents learn to collaborate with ot","cbCairPR9hJS4jG3","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCairPR9hJS4jG3","pdf",725510,52,"English","# 1 Introduction\n## 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Drama\n## 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach\n# 2 Specification at a glance\n## 2.1 Subject content\n## 2.2 Assessments\n# 3 Subject content\n## 3.1 Understanding drama\n## 3.2 Devising drama\n## 3.3 Texts in practice\n## 3.4 Guidance on theatrical skills\n# 4 Scheme of assessment\n## 4.1 Aims and learning outcomes\n## 4.2 Assessment components\n## 4.3 Assessment objectives\n## 4.4 Assessment weightings\n## 4.5 Assessment criteria\n# 5 Non-exam assessment administration\n## 5.1 Supervising and authenticating\n## 5.2 Avoiding malpractice\n## 5.3 Administration for Component 2\n## 5.4 Administration for Component 3\n# 6 General administration\n## 6.1 Entries and codes\n## 6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications\n## 6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results\n## 6.4 Resits and shelf life\n## 6.5 Set texts\n## 6.6 Previous learning and prerequisites\n## 6.7 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion\n## 6.8 Working with AQA for the first time\n## 6.9 Private candidates","[{\"question\":\"What learning activities does the GCSE Drama specification emphasise?\",\"answer\":\"It emphasises practical work in drama, devising drama, and two text-based performances. Students also explore texts practically and develop theatrical skills through a mix of practical and written learning.\"},{\"question\":\"Which pathways can students choose within GCSE Drama?\",\"answer\":\"Students can choose to develop as a performer, a designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets), or both performer and designer.\"},{\"question\":\"How is the written exam paper designed to support students?\",\"answer\":\"The written paper uses a variety of question styles that require students to combine what they have learned about how drama is performed with practical experience and imagination, with quality marking focused on reflecting students’ achievements.\"}]","GCSE Drama (8261) - Specification - AQA Version 1.8 June 2026 | PDF",1792467506,131]