On Tuesday 22nd April, our Year 11 GCSE Drama students delivered their final scripted performances as part of their AQA practical examination. This marked the final practical component of their GCSE Drama course, ahead of their written exam on Thursday 8th May 2025. This element forms a significant part of their overall grade and required each group to take full ownership of the creative process—directing, staging, and performing their chosen extracts independently.
After over a month of focused preparation and rehearsal, the students presented two contrasting and ambitious plays that demonstrated not only their performance abilities but also their creativity, leadership, and collaborative skills.
The first group—Charlotte Cleasby, Emilia Dennison-Davies, Lilly Gartside, and Hiruni Peiris—performed two extracts from Lilies on the Land by The Lions Part, a poignant and powerful piece inspired by the testimonies of women who served in the Women’s Land Army during World War II. Through skilled use of physical theatre, body-as-prop work, choral shapes, and precise prop manipulation, the group brought the emotional depth and historical resonance of the play to life. Their performance was both visually arresting and emotionally impactful.
The second group—Isla Ashworth, Ani Navaneethan, Ella Pettit, Ellie Tyler, Jasmine Small, and Charlie Woodward—performed extracts from Our Teacher’s a Troll by Dennis Kelly, a darkly humorous and high-energy piece that follows two unruly children confronted with a new headteacher who is, quite literally, a troll. The group impressed with their dynamic physicality, exaggerated characterisation, inventive choral movement, and playful use of props, creating a vividly comic world that kept the audience thoroughly engaged.
Both groups demonstrated exceptional maturity, discipline, and creative flair. The fact that all directorial and performance choices—from characterisation to stagecraft—were devised entirely by the students makes their achievements all the more commendable.
The visiting AQA examiner was highly impressed with the standard of work presented, praising both groups for their bold artistic choices, ensemble work, and confident, polished delivery.
All students involved should feel incredibly proud of what they have achieved. Their commitment to the process, passion for performance, and ability to work collaboratively under pressure were evident in every moment on stage. A huge congratulations to the entire Year 11 Drama cohort for such an outstanding achievement.