Exam Board: WJEC
Level of Qualification: 1 and 2

Course Overview

The Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Performing arts (Technical Award) provides learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding within the sphere of the creative and performing arts. Learners will follow an acting pathway which will require them to complete three units. 

Unit 1-Performing: Unit 1 enables learners to gain a holistic knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to reproduce an existing piece of professional/published work. Learners will be required to perform scenes from the studied play, as well as completing coursework which is linked to the play and includes research, a log of their rehearsal progress and an evaluation of their work. Learners will be expected to demonstrate performance skills and understanding of the character, language and techniques used.

Unit 2-Creating: Unit 2 enables learners to gain, develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create and refine original work in the performing arts. Pupils will create their own original piece of drama from a stimulus, as well as completing coursework based which will include research, a log of the development of their piece and an evaluation of their work. Learners will be expected to demonstrate performance skills and understanding of the character, language and techniques used.

Unit 3-Performing Arts in Practice: Unit 3 introduces learners to areas of the performing arts that need to be considered when responding to an industry commission. This is an external unit which is set and marked by WJEC. The assignment provides the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and skills learned throughout the course and will include a scenario and several tasks.

Assessment:  40% examination (performance and written), 60% coursework (performance and written).

Exam Board: RSL
Level of Qualification: 3

Course Overview

The Level 3 Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts provides learners with skills, knowledge and understanding for entry to employment in the creative and performing arts industries or progression to further study at a higher level. The  qualification aims to offer practical structured learning directly relevant to  employment within the creative and performing arts industries. Learners apply a range of skill, knowledge and understanding in preparation for employment/further study. For example, units provide  learners with knowledge and understanding of advanced concepts such as the style and context of performance genres, audition  techniques, planning, repertoire, rehearsal schedules, the nature of performance, collaborating with others, health and safety, technical  requirements and reviewing/analysis of performances. Learners will develop a solid grounding of practical skills that will  prepare them for employment or be developed in further studies. Core units also enable learners to make connections between units, combining elements of their learning through requiring them to demonstrate understanding and skills developed in their optional units. 

Pupils will complete seven units over the two year course;

Planning for a Career in the Creative and Performing Arts - Pupils will become familiarised with the processes associated with effective career planning. The unit will also provide opportunities to align/link their overarching career aims with the opportunities provided within the course.

Elizabethan or Jacobean Drama - In this unit, pupils will develop skills, knowledge and understanding of performing plays of the Elizabethan or Jacobean Theatre and work towards the performance of two contrasted scenes from one of the eras.

Approaches to Acting - Pupils will be introduced to different approaches to acting which will enable pupils to incorporate ideas taken from one of these into their own performances. Pupils will  gain practical experience of these approaches through performance.

Drama in the Community - The unit will  introduce pupils to the concept of community drama which will enable pupils to participate in the creation and performance of a community drama project.

Acting for the Camera - Pupils will develop skills and techniques for acting for the camera which will culminate in the creation of a showreel.

Audition Techniques - Pupils will be introduced to audition techniques and develop practical skills in the techniques for auditioning in the performing arts.

Performance Preparation - This is an external unit where pupils will need to research acting and performing genres, use them to formulate a plan for a performance according to a brief and audition for a role. This unit will be the culmination of everything they have learned throughout the course.

Assessment:  30% external assessment (performance and written), 70% internal assessment (performance and written).

Term 1: Ernie's Incredible Illucinations - How can we take a story from the page to the stage?

Term 2: Bringing Stories to Life - How can we apply the techniques learned in creating a piece of drama?

Term 3: Character - How can we create a character in performance?

Term 4: Shakespeare - How can themes in Shakespeare’s plays be portrayed using drama techniques?

Term 5: Myths and Legends - How can we use Physical Theatre to create effective drama?

Term 6: Exploring Scripts - What makes a piece of drama successful?

Term 1: Our Day Out - How can understanding and kindness change someone’s outlook?
Term 2: Horror - How can we create atmosphere in a piece of drama?

Term 3: Page to Stage - What techniques can we use to lift drama from page to stage?

Term 4: Comedy - What difficulties can an actor face when performing comedy?

Term 5: Shakespeare - How can we recreate Shakespearean scenes in a more contemporary context?
Term 6: Exploring Scripts - How can we use our year 8 techniques in the creation of a piece of drama?

Term 1: Popular Culture - Is TV a reflection of, or an influence on, our lives?

Term 2: Different Styles of Drama - Why do we need to use different styles of drama?

Term 3: Themes and Issues - How can we dramatise relevant issues in the world today?

Term 4: Blood Brothers - What devices and techniques are used to show contrast in Blood Brothers?

Term 5: Shakespeare - Is Shakespeare still relevant today, and why?

Term 6: Acting for Film and TV - What are the differences between acting for film and TV and acting for theatre?

Term 1 and 2: Acting Skills - How can we use voice, physicality to create effective performances?

Terms 3, 4 and 5: Unit 1 - Performing - How can we bring a scene to life on the stage?

Terms 5 and 6: Unit 1 - Performing and Unit 2 - Creating - How can drama techniques be used to create effective performances?

Terms 1 and 2: Unit 2 - Creating - How can drama techniques be used to create effective performances?

Terms 3 to 5: Performing Arts in Practice (External Unit) - How can we create robust devised work?

Term 6: Course completion

Terms 1 and 2: Elizabethan or Jacobean Drama - Can classical drama still be relevant today?
Terms 3 and 4: Approaches to Acting - How do different styles of drama relate to the intention of the creator?

Terms 5 and 6: Drama in the Community - How can drama be used as a tool for support and change in the community?

Terms 1-6: Planning for a Career in the Performing Arts - What are the best methods for getting ahead in the performing arts?

Terms 1 and 2: Acting for Camera and Audition Techniques - How can we adapt ourselves for different performance situations?
Terms 3 and 4: Performance Preparation (External Unit) - How does a creator decide what to create and why?

Terms 5: Acting for Camera - How do my skills need to be adapted for film and TV work?

The Gulbenkian

The Marlow Theatre

The National Theatre

• School Productions (by audition)

• Shakesfest (by invitation)

• Weekly OSL for Year 11(and Y10 by invite)

The drama department provides pupils with suggested books for each unit.