Drama provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the theatrical arts. Through the exploration of acting, devising, directing, and some focus on the technical aspects of production, students develop a holistic perspective on the world of theatre. They delve into dramatic various forms of performance, where they can hone their skills in interpretation, expression, and collaboration. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, encouraging students to engage in creative expression and critical analysis.

The S3 Drama course encourages candidates to exercise imagination and creativity. They develop important skills, attitudes and attributes; including creativity and adaptability, learning independently and as part of a group, critical thinking, enthusiasm, and confidence. These are all crucial to any career!

The course allows candidates to develop practical skills in creating, presenting and producing drama. It provides scope for personalisation and choice by encouraging candidates to be creative and to express themselves in different ways. Learning through drama helps candidates to appreciate cultural values, identities and ideas.

Students will also begin to explore some of the design and directing elements offered as specialisation areas in National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. This allows them to develop higher order thinking skills as they investigate, develop and apply a range of drama skills and production skills.

Course assessment

You will be assessed informally throughout the year when it comes to checking in with your practical and written skills as both components are part of the National 5 exam. We mainly focus on assessing your Acting skills.

The National 5 Drama course encourages candidates to exercise imagination and creativity. They develop important skills, attitudes and attributes; including creativity and adaptability, learning independently and as part of a group, critical thinking, enthusiasm, and confidence.

The course allows candidates to develop practical skills in creating, presenting and producing drama. It provides scope for personalisation and choice by encouraging candidates to be creative and to express themselves in different ways. Learning through drama helps candidates to appreciate cultural values, identities and ideas.

Candidates analyse and evaluate how the use of self-expression, language and movement can develop their ideas for drama. They also develop higher order thinking skills as they investigate, develop and apply a range of drama skills and production skills.

Both acting and design is offered at this level, so if a candidate does not want to act for their practical exam they can instead become a designer in one of the following areas: prop, set, costume, makeup/hair, sound, and finally lighting.

Course assessment

The Higher Drama course encourages candidates to exercise their imagination and creativity. They develop important skills, attitudes and attributes; including creativity and adaptability, learning independently and as part of a group, critical-thinking, enthusiasm and confidence. Candidates develop practical skills creating and presenting drama.

The course provides scope for personalisation and choice by encouraging candidates to be creative and express themselves in different ways. Learning through drama helps candidates appreciate historical, social and cultural values, identities and ideas.

Candidates analyse and evaluate how the use of self-expression, language and movement can develop their ideas for drama. They also develop higher order thinking skills as they investigate, develop and apply a range of drama skills and production skills.

If a candidate does not want to act for their practical exam, they can instead direct or design. The following design areas are offered at Higher level: prop, set, costume, makeup/hair, sound, and finally lighting.

Course assessment

The National Progression Award (NPA) in Acting and Performance will give you the chance to further develop your skills in acting and performing as well as developing your knowledge and understanding of theatre. This is an alternative if you have achieved Higher Drama but do not wish to proceed to Advanced Higher. The NPA in Acting and Performance will develop skills of self-discipline, commitment, collaboration, and creativity. 

There are two units both at SCQF level 6:  

• Drama: Theatre Skills in Performance: You will work with a group to rehearse, perform and evaluate a 30 minute Drama.  
• Professional Theatre in Context: You will explore a variety of theatrical performances and practitioners by watching professional productions and taking part in practical workshops in class.  

This NPA is designed to develop your communication, interpersonal, self-presentation, self-evaluative and analytical skills. You will also develop your confidence, your ability to work independently and your professional attitudes and skills as actors and performers.

Course assessment

There is a balance of types of assessment - written assignments and projects, but with an emphasis on practical assignments. All are internally assessed.

Advanced Higher Drama is designed to enable pupils to explore both practical and analytical aspects of Drama. Students investigate how professional theatre practice has been shaped by influential theatre practitioners and explore, develop and communicate ideas through acting, directing, or designing. Some of these practitioners are Stanislavsky, Brecht, Berkoff, and Artaud – which allows students to understand both naturalistic and non-naturalistic theatre.

Students will devise drama and interpret texts using their understanding of form, style, structure and genre. They develop knowledge and understanding of historical, social, cultural and/or political influences on Drama while learning how to evaluate their own progress and the progress of others.

Candidates do not need to specialise in acting for their practical assessment. Instead they can chose to focus on directing or design. The following design areas are offered at Advanced Higher level: prop, set, costume, makeup/hair, sound, and finally lighting.

Course assessment

In BGE Music students explore the fundamental principles of music theory, notation, history, and various genres. They learn to analyse, appreciate, and critique music, while also gaining practical experience in composition, performance, and music technology. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, helping students develop a deep appreciation for music and its cultural significance.

Throughout the S3 Music course, candidates develop a breadth of knowledge and understanding of music concepts and musical literacy. They learn to recognise music concepts, signs and symbols as they perform, create and listen to music.

The course allows candidates to develop practical skills in music and knowledge and understanding of music styles and concepts. It encourages them to self-reflect and explore their creative ideas. Understanding music through listening enables candidates to build on and extend their knowledge and understanding of music and influences on music.

The course provides opportunities for candidates to perform a range of music in solo and/or group settings.

Course assessment

You will be assessed informally throughout the year when it comes to checking in with your practical skills on two different instruments. Your knowledge of music listening and literacy will also be tested throughout the course as this will help prepare you if you move forward into National 5.

Throughout the National 5 Music course, candidates develop a breadth of knowledge and understanding of music concepts and musical literacy. They learn to recognise and distinguish level-specific music concepts, signs and symbols as they perform, create and listen to music.

The course allows candidates to develop and consolidate practical skills in music and knowledge and understanding of music styles and concepts. It encourages them to self-reflect and explore their creative ideas. Understanding music through listening enables candidates to build on and extend their knowledge and understanding of music and influences on music.

The course provides opportunities for candidates to perform a range of music in solo and/or group settings.

Course assessment

Throughout this course, candidates develop a breadth of knowledge and understanding of music concepts and musical literacy. They learn to recognise and distinguish level-specific music concepts, signs and symbols as they perform, create and listen to music.

The course allows candidates to develop and consolidate practical skills in music and knowledge and understanding of music styles and concepts. It encourages them to self-reflect and explore their creative ideas. Understanding music through listening enables candidates to build on and extend their knowledge and understanding of music and influences on music.

The course provides opportunities for candidates to perform a range of music in solo and/or group settings.

Course assessment

Throughout this course, candidates develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of music concepts and music literacy. They learn to recognise, distinguish and apply level-specific music concepts, signs and symbols as they perform, create and listen to music.

The course allows candidates to develop and consolidate practical skills in music and knowledge and understanding of music styles and concepts. It encourages them to self-reflect and explore their creative ideas. Understanding music through listening and analysing enables candidates to build on and extend their knowledge and understanding of music and influences on music.

The course provides opportunities for candidates to perform a range of music in solo and/or group settings.

Course assessment:

Pupils will continue to develop their skills in using software to mix audio in a variety of projects and will expand on their learning in S2 to include a range of processes and effects.  A new element in S3 will be exploring using microphones to capture audio. Pupils will learn the difference between microphones, and will explore polar patterns.

Pupils will continue to build on their knowledge and understanding of music through exploration of various topics, including Rock & Pop, Blues & Jazz, World, and 20^th/21^st Century Classical styles.

The Music Technology course will require a range of approaches to learning. Pupils will often work in pairs or groups in order to setup, conduct and breakdown recording sessions, as well as work independently to mix and master tracks.

Course assessment

Pupils will be assessed informally throughout the year but will also work towards creating two projects and completing a written assessment.

Pupils will continue to develop their skills in using software to mix audio in a variety of projects and will expand on their learning in S3, continuing to explore a range of processes, effects and microphone usage.

Pupils will continue to build on their knowledge and understanding of music through exploration of various topics, including Rock & Pop, Blues & Jazz, World, and 20^th/21^st Century Classical styles.

The Music Technology course will require a range of approaches to learning. Pupils will often work in pairs or groups in order to setup, conduct and breakdown recording sessions, as well as work independently to mix and master tracks.

Units taught

• J255 75 – Music Technology Skills (N5)
• J257 75 – Understanding 20^th and 21^st Century Music (N5)
• J259 75 – Music Technology in Context (N5)

 Course assessment

Assignment

This draws on candidates’ skills, knowledge and understanding of recording and mixing. They will be required to create two projects from the following options: film foley, audiobook, radio broadcast, multitrack recording.  Pupils will plan and fully record each track and document this in detail before bouncing each project down to a stereo master.   

This component is worth 70% of the final grade.

Question Paper

All candidates draw on skills in listening and perception, knowledge and understanding of level-specific Music and Music Technology concepts. These skills are developed throughout the course. 

This component is worth 30% of the final grade.