BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts
Why choose this?
The Extended Certificate is for students who are interested in learning about the performing arts sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in performing arts. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels. With the skills you learn on this course, not only could you become an actor, comedian, presenter, entertainer, facilitator or teacher, but you will also develop important communication and interpersonal skills to meet the needs of a range of commercial and business sectors. The performing arts offer a wide range of skills that are sought after in many other professions such as leadership, public speaking and creativity.
As a partnership school we work closely with the Birmingham Hippodrome offering opportunities behind the scene and in performance workshops; a chance to participate in open auditions for their productions and choreography workshops with industry professionals. We regularly visit local and national theatres, experiencing a variety of performance styles. Previously we have collaborated with Big Brum Theatre in Education company, The Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham City University, The Birmingham Conservatoire and The Birmingham Rep.
I chose drama as it’s exciting and creative. During lessons we develop our team building, creative and stagecraft skills through rehearsals and performance and analysis skills through evaluating our work and watching live theatre. Every lesson is different and this is something I value. As a group we love learning about drama practitioners and different styles of theatre such as Theatre of the Oppressed, Theatre of Cruelty and Physical Theatre. Teachers always have new and exciting ways in which to develop each of us and build up our skills. I originally went to another college but I came back for the drama department as I missed the teaching and the whole atmosphere.
Sixth-form Drama student
Areas of study & assessment
Equivalent in size to one A Level.
Mandatory content (83%).
1 Investigating Practitioners’ Work
2 Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
3 Group Performance
Option units (17%)
To be decided with the cohort.
Enrichment
- We are now part of the HEN (Hippodrome Education Network) which enables the Department to access many free and reduced price tickets/workshops and experiences within the performing arts sector
- We also run theatre trips to The REP, The Crescent and the MAC
- Workshops with theatre companies, such as Big Brum and professionals come into school
- We work closely with Birmingham City University
- London overnight stay to the West End and visit to Warner Bros Studio
