October 2026 Drama update

• Training and support events this term
• Admin Support Guides for 26-27
• New declaration forms for 26-27
• New Online Text Submission for 26-27
• GCSE Component 3 Forbidden Productions
• Drama and Theatre Facebook Group
• Support and contact

GCSE and A Level Drama training and support events 

We have some free online training events happening this term for both GCSE and A Level.

Please note: we've had to change the dates on the following events; apologies for any inconvenience caused.

GCSE Drama: Exam Insights Summer 2026
Now 23rd Nov (was 16th Nov)

GCSE Drama: Preparing for Component 2
Now 12th Nov (was 19th Nov)

GCSE Drama: Engaging with Purpose – Preparing Students for Component 3 Success
Now 30/11/2026 (was 1 December)

You can also catch up on any support you might have missed, including the All Set For 26-27 events I ran in September. 

Admin Support Guides 2027

The Administrative Support Guide for the 2026-27  academic year is the go-to place for all the information and guidance your centre needs for administering the three Components successfully.

It contains:

• the key dates for this academic year
• a breakdown of the requirements for each Component
• a link to the Live Theatre Evaluation Confirmation Form
• guidance on how to use LWT
• contact details for your assessment team and Subject Advisor

New declaration forms for 2026-27

There are new declaration forms available for Components 1, 2 and 3 that you will need to use for any assessments taking place this year.

For Component 1, the NEA Declaration Sheet should be used for any assessments you do from now on ie for students completing the course in summer 2027 and beyond.

Please note: if your students completed their Component 1 assessments in the last summer term and you've already assessed them using the old NEA Declaration Sheet, you do NOT need to complete the new forms - you can submit the old versions in summer 2027.

For Component 2, the Statement of Intentions form now includes a new declaration - please use this version of the form for Component 2 assessments this year.

For Component 3, the Live Theatre evaluation form cover sheet has been updated and must be used for the summer 2027 assessments.

New Online Text Submissions for 26-27

For any student completing their qualification this year, you will need to complete the online text submission form six weeks or more before your Component 2 performances take place.

If a play or practitioner you wish to use isn't featured on the Online Submission form, please do get in touch with us by emailing drama.assessment@pearson.com or using the Pearson Portal.

For GCSE, you will need to submit the details of the Component 3 set text, plus all the Component 2 texts your students have chosen to perform this year.

GCSE Drama Online Submission Form

For A Level, you will need to submit details of the Component 1 text/s and practitioner/s, the Component 2 texts, and the Component 3 set texts and practitioners.

A level Drama and Theatre Online Submission Form

If you need any guidance/suggestions for possible plays to use in Component 2, please have a look at our guides below.

GCSE Component 3 Forbidden Productions

In Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation of Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice students must not refer to a production of any of the Component 3 set texts.

They can refer to any play or musical  - the musical must include some spoken dialogue. 

The following musicals are sung through i.e. there is no spoken dialogue. Please ensure that students do not use any of these productions in Section B. This list is not exhaustive, for example, London Road is a sung through musical and should not be referred to in Section B.

Pearson Edexcel Drama and Theatre Facebook Group

Join the Pearson Edexcel Drama and Theatre Facebook Group

Support and contact

Please feel free to get in touch, if you require any help or support in your teaching and assessment of the qualifications.