KS4 Drama

BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

(Acting and Design Pathway) 

Eduqas GCSE Drama  

Throughout KS4 Drama there are a number of courses and pathways available.  

Both courses provide learners with skills, knowledge and understanding within the sphere of the creative and performing arts. The qualifications aim to offer practical structured learning with the flexibility to specialise in disciplines directly relevant to the creative and performing arts industries. 

Learners apply a range of skills knowledge and understanding that will be of value to further studies. For example, units provide learners with basic understanding of concepts such as the nature of events, planning, repertoire, rehearsal schedules, health and safety, equipment and reviewing performances, and a solid grounding of practical/technical skills that can then be developed further in qualifications at Level 3, which may require them to take greater responsibility, lead others, evaluate and analyse concepts relating to their studies.  

In year 10 students will undertake an Induction assignment which will prepare them for working at a Level 2 standard. With both the BTEC course and Eduqas, students will complete their coursework to secure a percentage of their final grade. It will also help them to begin to focus on what acting skills they have and those that they need to develop and how they can apply these to their work ready for Year 11.  

What does the qualification cover?


The Award gives learners the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a
practical learning environment. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance,
which cover the:
• development of key skills that prove your aptitude in Performing Arts such as reproducing
repertoire or responding to stimuli
• process that underpins effective ways of working in the Performing Arts, such as
development of ideas, rehearsal and performance
• attitudes that are considered most important in the Performing Arts, including personal
management and communication
• knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such
as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles.
This Award complements the learning in GCSE programmes such as GCSE Drama and GCSE Dance
by broadening experience and skills participation in different type of performance activities with the
opportunity to practically apply your knowledge and skills, through project work such as developing
ideas and performing for specific audiences.

What can the qualification lead to?


Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed
choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. The choices that learners can make
post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider
progression to:
• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects
• study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Performing Arts,
which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher
education by studying a degree in the Performing Arts or Production Arts areas.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 1 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider
progression to:
• study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work,
to progression to employment, to apprenticeships or to further study at Level 3.
For these learners, the attitudes and the reflective and communication skills covered
in this qualification will help them achieve
• study of Performing Arts post-16 through the study of a technical certificate. Learners who
perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly
consider this progression route as it can lead ultimately to employment in the performing
arts sector

BTEC Award in Music Practice. 

The aim of this qualification is to provide learners with the knowledge and range of skills needed to progress them towards being able to operate successfully as performing musicians and producers/composers. 

Learners will: 

  • demonstrate knowledge of theoretical and contextual issues relating to music style, audience and the music industry; 
  • perform effectively on their instrument/voice; 
  • rehearse and display musicianship skills in a number of professional scenarios; 
  • initiate and develop repertoire; 
  • understand relevant aspects of music technology. 

Through developing the skills, knowledge and understanding outlined above, learners are provided with the basis for further development with the ultimate aim being the creation of a musician with the knowledge and skills-set to be able to perform and record music in a professional capacity (i.e. be a recording and performing artist). 

The core components have been carefully chosen to reflect these aims. 

The broad objectives are: 

  • To focus delivery and assessment on knowledge and understanding together with practical music making and music production through learner centred activity; 
  • To make the qualifications relevant to a wide variety of applications from further education provision through to schools and Youth and Creative Apprenticeships and e-learning; 
  • To use the principles and skills needed in the creation and performance of popular music to equip learners with transferable skills; 
  • To embed transferable skills and key skills into the qualifications; 

In year 10 students will undertake an Induction assignment which will prepare them for working at a Level 2 standard. They will also complete Component 1, securing 30% of their final grade. It will also help them to begin to focus on what area of Music they might like to concentrate on (instrument/ technology skills) for the practical assessments in Year 11.