• Future of GCSEs: Creative Curriculum
• GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Component 2 extracts
• Admin Support Guides 2026
• Student Voice
• A Level Component 3 exemplars 
• Admin Support Guides 2026
• Component 3 live theatre declaration
• Ofqual consultation for on-screen assessment
• Drama and Theatre Facebook group
• Help Improve Exam Equity for Neurodivergent Students!
• New collaborative Careers initiative
• Support and contact

Future of GCSEs: Creative Curriculum

Following the Government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we want to hear from educators and students about their experience GCSEs across the creative curriculum, and what they would like to see change in the future.

Please take a few moments to complete this form if you would like to be contacted about relevant initiatives to help shape the future of GCSES across the creative curriculum. 

Future of GCSEs

GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Component 2 extracts

If you are having a visiting examiner this year, you do not need to submit your text extracts to your examiner on LWT before, during or after the performances have taken place. All you need to do is have them available on the day for them to look at.

If you are submitting for digital assessment, you need to submit the text extracts 7 working days after the performances (with all other relevant documentation). 

Please refer to the Administrative Support Guide (below) for specific guidance.

Admin Support Guides 2026

The Administrative Support Guide for the 2025-26 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

Student Voice

Help us shape the future of Drama and Performing Arts qualifications! 

We are inviting our Drama and Performing Arts teachers to register interest in giving students a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and ideas to help us:

• Understand what students enjoy, what challenges they face, and how our qualifications could be improved for them. 
• Develop our resources to support with current learning, further study and future pathways in Drama and Performing Arts 
• Gain student insight into assessments and subject content to help shape future developments in Drama and Performing Arts. 

Student Voice opportunity

A Level Component 3 exemplars 

We have brand new exemplars for the three sections of Component 3.

The purpose of this pack is to provide teachers and students with some examples of
responses to A level Drama and Theatre Component 3 (9DR0/03).

The responses were taken from the Summer 2025 examination series; you will find a sample of responses, examiner commentaries and marks. 

Component 3 live theatre declaration

As part of the GCSE Drama and A Level Drama & Theatre qualifications, students are required to watch a live theatre performance as a member of a live audience. Centres are required to submit a Live Theatre Performance Confirmation Survey to confirm that this requirement has been met. 

You must submit a confirmation of visiting live theatre to us by 1st May in the year of assessment using this survey.
Please submit a form for each qualification being offered in your centre e.g. one for GCSE, one for A level.

Live Theatre Declaration form 2026

Ofqual consultation for on-screen assessment

Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.

As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present.

Your opinion counts. The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.

Pearson Edexcel Drama and Theatre Facebook Group

Join the Pearson Edexcel Drama and Theatre Facebook Group

Help Improve Exam Equity for Neurodivergent Students!

Pearson has partnered with the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE), to look at how neurotypical and neurodivergent (e.g. those who are autistic/have ADHD) students answer GCSE exam questions

Exam Inequality for Neurodivergent Students

We hope this will allow us to make our exams more accessible for all students.

We would be very grateful if centres would consider taking part in the next phase of this very important project.

Find out more and express an interest in the research:

please enter contact details

New collaborative Careers initiative

Calling advocates of Drama education!

Did studying Drama at school help you become a better communicator, thinker, or leader? Have you worked with ex-drama pupils who have impressed you with their tenacity in the workplace, ability to collaborate effectively or whose analytical thinking has made a considerable impact in their profession?

A group of teachers are seeking support for an exciting new collaborative careers initiative being developed by Directors of Drama from six UK independent schools.
In September 2027, they plan to host a cross-school careers event for pupils and parents in Years 9–11, focused on the transferable skills developed through GCSE and A Level Drama and how these support a wide range of professional pathways beyond the performing arts (for example law, corporate roles, research, leadership and communications).

The event will explore how Drama nurtures skills increasingly valued in today’s workplace, including analytical thinking, communication, adaptability, teamwork, leadership and resilience. Our aim is to broaden perceptions of Drama, helping pupils who may not wish to pursue acting or directing, to see how the subject equips them for success across many sectors.

They would love to hear from anyone who could share their thoughts on the benefit of drama in the workplace, speak at the event or offer logistical support. Please do get in touch for further details or if you would like to be involved.

If you are a fellow Drama teacher and this sounds of interest to you, please do also send them a message. Although the event will initially be targeted at the six schools involved, the aim will be to record the event and share it with other drama departments, opening up possibilities for wider reaching opportunities in the future.

Please contact Gabi via Linkedin

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.