Type of Qualifcation: BTEC
Exam Board: Pearson
Requirements: Grade 4 at GCSE is recommended (non-Performing Arts GCSE students will be considered)

The three mandatory units focus on:

·         Research – critical analysis and extended writing skills that aim to support students’ progress to higher education. As possible performing arts practitioners, students will gain a good understanding of the work of influential practitioners to inform their own work and practice (Unit – Investigating Practitioners’ Work)

·         an induction into the performing arts – where students will develop the appropriate skills and techniques in various performance disciplines such as acting, dance, musical theatre and physical theatre (Unit – Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance)

·         Group performance – students will develop the essential psychomotor and affective skills essential for the performing arts. They will develop physical techniques, as well as wider transferable skills such as being able to work collaboratively, personal management and organisation (rehearsals, time management), being able to give and take direction, confidence in front of an audience, problem and team work (Unit – Group Performance Workshop).

 

Students select one optional unit to support choices in progression to performing arts and other courses in HE, and also cover acting, dance and musical theatre topics. Examples of the optional units include: classical ballet technique, street dance technique, acting styles, developing the voice for performance, and variety performance.

Unit 1 externally marked, controlled assessment

Unit 2 internally marked,  written log and recorded performance

Unit 3 externally marked, written log and recorded performance

Optional Unit- internally marked, written log and recorded performance

For those that would like to work in the Performing Arts Sector, as detailed in the Course Booklet.

Direct links to drama school courses and careers in Performing Arts.

Course Booklet 2021

Type of Qualifcation: A Level
Exam Board: AQA
Requirements: Grade 6 at GCSE is recommended (non-Dance GCSE students will be considered)

Component 1: Choreography and Performance • Solo performance linked to a specified practitioner within an area of study • Performance in a quartet • Group choreography   Component 2: Critical Engagement • Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of two set works: • One compulsory set work within the compulsory area of study, • One optional set work within the corresponding area of study, from a choice of   four.

Component 1 – Choreography & Performance

• External examiner visits the school between March and May to assesses

  Quartet, Group Choreography and Solo performances

• Examined in the 2nd year of course

• 50% of A Level

 

Component 2 – Critical Engagement

• 2½ hour written paper made up of two sections – A = short answer questions

 and B = two essay based questions

• 50% of A Level

• Examined in the 2nd year of the course

Dance is the course for you if you have a:

• Genuine interest in performance and choreography.

• Enjoy participating in performance and discussing professional works.

• Wish to develop your analytical, interpretative, evaluative and lateral thinking

  skills.

• Enjoy working independently and in a team.

• Develop practical activity with high level, comprehensive, pure dance training

  delivered by dance specialists.

• Desire to gain an experience of a range of dance specialisms such as

  Contemporary Dance, Choreography, Physical Theatre and Performance, which

  will develop you as a versatile dance artist.

• Develop links to professional and performance-based dance practice.

• Interest in the history of the Arts from the 1050’s to the present day.

In addition to the performing arts sector-specific content, this qualification provides learners with the opportunity to develop all-round performance skills and transferable skills such as self-confidence, self-presentation, personal discipline, time management and organisational skills, which are highly regarded by higher education and employers. Other skills essential for further study include research, independent learning, extended writing, sourcing, evaluating information and drawing conclusions, which are delivered in the components of the course.

A Level Dance can lead to degree courses in Dance, Performing Arts and Education. Professional performance work, community work and therapy courses, Dance business, choreographer, entertainment industry, Dance Science, personal trainer, media and Dance. It is also highly regarded as an A Level of interest when looking at professional careers outside of the Performing Arts sector, these include; Law, Computer programming, English Literature, the Gaming industry & Journalism.

Course Booklet 2021

Type of Qualifcation: A Level
Exam Board: AQA
Requirements: Grade 4 at GCSE (non-Drama GCSE students will be considered)

Component 1: Drama and Theatre

  What’s assessed 

·     Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

·     Study of two set plays

·     Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

Component 2: Creating Original Drama

  What’s assessed 

·     Process of creating devised drama

·     Performance of devised drama

 

Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner.

Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

  What’s assessed 

·     Practical exploration and interpretation of play extracts and methodology of a prescribed practitioner

 

·     A final assessed performance and reflective report;

analysing and evaluating

theatrical interpretation of all three extracts

Component 1: Drama and Theatre

       Assessment: Written exam: 3 hours, 40%

 

Component 2: Creating Original Drama

  Assessment: Working notebook (20%) and devised performance (10%), 30%

 

Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

  Assessment: Performance (20%) and reflective report (10%), 30%

Drama and Theatre Studies is an exploration of Theatre in all forms.

 

·    You will study new styles and approaches

 

·    Explore plays that are inspiring

 

·    There will be many opportunities for performance and to see live theatre productions

 

·    You will have the opportunity to devise a completely original performance

Whatever you choose to do next, A Level Drama and Theatre Studies will equip you with the drive, confidence, skills and experience for a successful future. Students have gone on to Drama Schools to study Theatre Studies and Performing Arts at University, Acting, Directing, Technical Support, Digital Theatre.

Course Booklet 2021

Type of Qualifcation: A Level
Exam Board: EDUQAS
Requirements: Grade 6 in Music and English

Performing (35%): A live performance recital of Grade 7 standard (or above), for 10-12 mins, either solo or ensemble or a combination of both. At least one of these pieces must be a soloist. Pieces should reflect the Areas Studied on the course.

Composing (25%): Two compositions, one in the Western Classical tradition in response to a choice of four set briefs and one free composition.

Appraising (40%): Three areas of study:

The Western Classical Tradition (The Development of the Symphony 1750-1900)

Musical Theatre or Pop or Jazz

Into the Twentieth Century including two set works

Dictation

Your composition portfolio is sent off to be marked by an external examiner.

Your performance exam will take place as a Live Recital in school with a visiting examiner.

You will complete one written paper.

Students who have studied A Level Music follow a wide range of career paths including:

Classroom Teaching

Instrumental Teaching

Professional Performers

Musical Directors

Professional Composers

Session Musicians

 

Music A Level also teaches a wide range of transferable skills

eg confidence, organisation, perseverance, presentation skills etc.

Course Booklet 2021