This course is for students who have studied GCSE drama and who wish to further their knowledge and understanding of the subject, possibly in preparation for study at a higher level. Drama and theatre studies can be roughly distinguished as a study of both text and performance and the course is designed to develop students interest in theatre and drama through both practical exploration and academic understanding. The course structure allows students to experience theatre as a well-versed and critical/analytical spectator whilst continually developing their own practice as an informed and technically skilled practitioner. It will also develop students understanding of seminal classical and contemporary plays, whilst firmly placing them within their wider social and cultural context. They may progress to higher education or to a specialist drama college.