Higher Drama

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

​National 5 

The Deputy First Minister has announced that there will be no external assessment of National 5 in session 2020–21.

Learners will not be required to sit exams and SQA will not assess coursework (including performances and practical activities). Instead, we are working with stakeholders to develop an alternative certification model for National 5 that is based on teacher and lecturer estimates.

Centres need to gather evidence of candidates’ attainment and use this to determine estimate grades and bands. We have today published broad guidance on evidence gathering and estimation with a very clear focus on the quality, not quantity, of evidence. This is accompanied by an SQA Academy Course on quality assuring estimates. This will be followed after the October break by subject specific guidance, published on a rolling basis, on the work that learners need to complete. Where possible, we will specify between two and four pieces of work per subject that will form the basis of arriving at a final award. We will also provide some additional resources that teachers and lecturers can draw on for assessment purposes.

Higher and Advanced Higher

There is no change to the structure or requirements of the Higher and Advanced Higher Drama course assessments in session 2020-21. Given the nature of the course assessments, it is not possible to modify them without compromising the validity, credibility and standard of the courses. This is supported by feedback from stakeholders who took part in our consultation on proposed modifications to the course assessments.

To support teachers, lecturers and candidates this session, we have published guidance on delivering and assessing the Drama performance in line with public health advice and government guidelines on physical distancing.

• Guidance on course assessment: Higher Drama
• Guidance on course assessment: Advanced Higher Drama

Information on National Course changes for session 2020/21

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.