Higher Drama

• October 2019 subject update (178 KB)
• October 2018 subject update (273 KB)

National Course modification summary: Drama (135 KB)

Section three (Performance Analysis) of the Higher Drama question paper currently asks candidates to 'give a performance analysis of a theatrical performance that they have seen live or recorded'. It states that the performance must have taken place in the last two years.

For session 2020-21, we will temporarily remove this two-year rule for live and recorded performances. We recognise that all live theatre performances have been cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and that most centres will now need to rely on recorded performances.

The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) are providing free access to high quality, filmed performances.

Please note that the assessment approach for National Qualifications may change for 2020-21 depending on the outcome of the Scottish Government's Education Recovery Group discussions.

The following modification decisions are valid regardless of the agreed approach to assessment in session 2021-22.

National 3

There will be no modifications for session 2021-22.

National 4

There will be no requirement to complete the added value unit assessment.

National 5

Modifications for session 2021-22 will remain the same as session 2020-21.

There were two consultations for Drama last session - in September and December. For session 2021-22:

• adjustments will be made to the volume of evidence required in coursework tasks
• guidance will be provided to support teachers in gathering evidence and in course delivery, including consideration of the text(s) chosen, to minimise the physical interactions between candidates - we recommend no more than five candidates in a group
• Make-up and Hair should only be offered by centres if government health advice at the time allows. Alternatively, candidates can apply make-up and hair designs to themselves if this aligns with Education Scotland guidelines. Centres should follow government health advice regarding an appropriate audience. Alternatively, it would be acceptable that the audience consists of only the assessor
• there will be a reduction of acting timings
• there will be an option for production roles: if a candidate is unable to carry out any of the requirements for their production role in a practical manner, they could use plans, diagrams, working drawings, photographs (of set designs, made or adapted costumes, or made props), videos (of rehearsals), folios, and/or research instead

Higher

Question paper: two-year rule removed for section 3: performance analysis - this message was communicated in June 2021 to allow centres to plan.

Performance: for session 2021-22 we will reinstate the second interactive acting performance to ensure parity with Design and Directing options, and keep the following guidance:

• we recommend that centres consider the text(s) chosen to minimise the physical interactions between candidates
• all production roles should be achievable with correct risk assessment and cleaning regimes, except for Make-up and Hair
• Make-up and Hair should only be offered by centres if government health advice at the time allows. Alternatively, we would recommend that centres should not present this option
• we recommend that no more than four candidates should be assessed in each interactive piece
• we recommend that directors should direct no more than four candidates
• centres should follow government health advice regarding an appropriate audience. Alternatively, it would be acceptable that the audience consists of only the visiting assessor
• candidates should direct a rehearsal lasting approximately 25-30 minutes (previously 30 minutes)
• candidates can apply make-up and hair to themselves based on their designs instead of a model on the day of the assessment

Advanced Higher

Modifications for session 2021-22 will remain the same as session 2020-21.

For session 2021-22:

• adjustments will be made to the volume of evidence required in coursework tasks
• guidance will be provided to support teachers and lecturers during the evidence collection process
• we recommend centres consider the text(s) chosen to minimise the physical interactions between candidates
• we recommend that no more than four candidates should be assessed in each interactive piece
• we recommend that directors should direct no more than four candidates
• centres should follow government health advice regarding an appropriate audience. Alternatively, it would be acceptable that the audience consists of only the visiting assessor
• the interactive acting contribution should be reduced to a maximum of 17 minutes
• candidates should direct a rehearsal lasting approximately 30-35 minutes (previously 35 minutes)