What are the entry requirements?

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including a grade 4 in English. Whilst Dance/Drama/Performing Arts GCSE or dance grades are useful they are not compulsory. It is most important that you are interested in gaining a greater understanding of how the performing arts industry works and to be keen to be involved in performance work. You will need passion and dedication to achieve on this course; you will need to commit to the high level of ongoing written reflective work through-out the year. 

How will I be assessed?

You will be encouraged to demonstrate your skills and talent by being assessed in practical ways. You will be assessed through portfolio, written work and performance by your subject tutors. Your work will be moderated by a visiting moderator. Each unit is awarded points, which are translated into an overall grade by the examiners at the end of the course.

For a National Extended Certificate (equivalent to one A-Level) students will complete 4 modules over 2 years. There is an opportunity to take this as a one year option. The qualification then becomes the BTEC National Certificate which comprises of 2 modules.

What skills will I learn?

Collaboration, Creation, Innovation

Our Performing Arts course gives you an understanding of all aspects of performing arts and combines it with the opportunity to make specialist choices during your study. This vocational qualification offers a genuinely practical approach. As a part of the ‘ClassAction Company’ you will be challenged to work to professional standards of creative collaboration. There are high expectations of students on this course, but it also offers the opportunity to perform with the best at the very highest level.

BTECs are coursework based qualifications. Students undertake real-life work-based case studies and complete projects and assessments which contribute to each unit studied. In order to complete each unit, students must achieve against a set of outcomes. The assessment process is ongoing and the projects that students undertake form the basis of their unit results which are graded as a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction.

What is the department like?

We are housed in a well-equipped performance studio within our Performing Arts Building with a second smaller studio space, rehearsal rooms, scene dock and industry standard control room. We also have a purpose built dance studio with sprung floors, mirrors and barre. These provide a comfortable working atmosphere with easy access to technical equipment needed for the course. 

Prospective practitioners must have talent, self-belief, motivation, commitment, dedication, self-discipline and an open attitude. You should have good time management skills and a passion for your craft.

What are the progression routes for this qualification?

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts is widely accepted and accredited by the great majority of universities as an excellent foundation for degree study. It also provides an invaluable foundation for vocational study.

As well as students studying the range of performing art subjects at many universities, over the past few years we have had students gain places at prestigious institutes such as RADA, Bristol Old Vic, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Lamda, GSA, East 15, Drama Centre, Mountview, Arts Ed, Birds, Performers, LABAN and London Contemporary Dance School 

The futures for our students are bright and exciting and future careers for ClassAction practitioners are rich and diverse as we develop the theatre makers of the future.