This course is a highly regarded practical Performing Arts qualification. As such, there are clear links with professional actors, directors and writers from the professional world. In recent years, the course has been enriched by these links. Workshops by West-End theatre professionals such as the director in charge of Les Miserables and leading actors from stage and screen have allowed students to receive real life experience of the Performing Arts world – along with experts from drama schools such as ArtsEd in London.
College entry criteria plus ANY of the following:
• GCSE Drama (minimum grade 4)
• Performing Arts related course (minimum grade 4)
• Related experience of acting/performing inside/outside of school
• By audition
The course is assessed through mainly practical elements giving the skills necessary for the performing arts industry. Where there is practical work, you must be prepared to perform in front of a public audience as well as peers. There are some externally assessed units but these are still completed like other units but simply sent off to an external assessor to mark.
During the course you will be working on practical and research work based on the profession of acting. You will study four units which look at practitioners in the world of acting, group performances, improvisation and working to a commissioned performance whilst always building your skills as a performer.
You will work individually and in groups to create practical work and then to assess this in relation to other practitioners. As much work as possible is practical in order to build the skills you need for the professional world as an actor.
The BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts is valued by employers and universities alike. The course can be used as sound preparation for further study of performing arts at a drama school or university course. Recent leavers have gone on to study at Rose Bruford Drama School, Guildford School of Acting and various universities (including UCLan, Manchester Metropolitan University etc.) to study performing arts or related areas such as stage make-up, teaching and film production.
Other career pathways outside of studying performing arts related courses have been: Teaching, fashion, journalism, PE, sport science, english, law, psychology, counselling with drama skills, stage make-up, sociology and social media marketing.
Students have gone on to study at Northern Ballet School, Lincoln, Edge Hill, Salford, Chester, London School of Musical Theatre, UCLan, East 15 and Guildford.
Course activities to prepare for your SJR studies.
For Year 11 students who have applied and will be joining us in Year 12
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Our Elective Programme is designed to help you develop your gifts and interests as part of an enhanced level 3 programme. We will help you realise your potential by nurturing your talent and preparing you for study at the most prestigious universities or for progression to competitive higher-level apprenticeships. Your options range from our Honours Programme, which might include following a fourth A level, to specialist Futures Programmes that will support your career goals.
If you’re not quite ready to start on a Level 3 Technical course (T Levels) or a Vocational Level 3 course (BTEC) but want to begin on the path to your chosen career, the Transition Programme could be for you.
Transition Programmes are tailored to prepare students to move onto Technical or Vocational Level 3 study. They will give you the opportunity to improve your English and Maths, your work readiness skills and introduce you to the technical skills and concepts that you will need for future study and employment.
As part of the Transition Programme you will study a BTEC Level 2 Award in your chosen subject area as well as the BTEC Level 2 Extended Award in Work Skills. You will also have the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Entry criteria for Transition Programmes is four grade 3s including grade 3s in English Language and Maths GCSE.