BTECs in Expressive Arts

November 2009

Within the Expressive Arts Faculty there are two BTEC courses offered to students in Key Stage 4 - in addition to GCSE Drama, GCSE Music and NCFE Music Technology. These BTECs are a relatively new style of course and have key differences to GCSEs.

The two courses offered are BTEC Performing Arts, specialising in Acting, and BTEC Performing Arts, specialising in Performance. Both courses have 3 units which are worked through over 2 years. Each unit is made up of different assignments and the students have to cover some compulsory techniques to ensure that specific BTEC criteria are met.

Why consider a BTEC?

The aim of the BTEC courses is to provide a more practical, real-world approach to learning and skills development, alongside a key theoretical background. This means that the courses continue to be developed and updated with and for industry and in response to the needs of learners. This ensures that learners gain maximum benefit from the courses whilst they study. This could be in readiness for the workplace or continued study at the next level, whether in an academic environment or a more specialist vocational area.

What applied learning has happened in the BTEC Performing Arts Courses so far?

The learners that we have completing BTEC Performing Arts courses have been involved in a variety of applied learning scenarios since the start of their delivery in September '08. This includes a group of BTEC students being involved in the delivery of a drama workshop as part of Enrichment Week, students going into primary schools to perform to groups of Key Stage 2 pupils, groups going into primary schools to offer a Theatre in Education programme to a Year 5 group based on the requirements from the primary school, and a group teaching choreography to in excess of 200 students in July to Deer Park students ranging from Year 8 to Year 11. There will shortly be a group of Year 10 learners who will stage their first major performance - a pantomime classic 'Cinders' - which they have had to stage, taking responsibility for sourcing the costumes and more. There have been many opportunities for the learners to work with people directly from the Arts Industry, including the director of Stroud Theatre Company. This allows the learners to develop their grasp of how working in the Arts can be and what roles are available within this area of emplyoment.

How do students feel about BTEC Performing Arts?

There are currently approximately 70-80 students involved in completing a BTEC in the Expressive Arts faculty. The overwhelming response to the BTECs is that learners appreciate the course being 100% coursework and like the way the specific assignments can be tailored to the classes' needs.

What else do BTEC learners get involved in?

Many of the students completing BTECs are also involved in activities beyond the lesson. These activities include the whole school production of 'Fame', dance classes, vocal classes, drama clubs and more.