Performing Arts
Exam Board:
Eduqas/WJEC
What will I study on the course:
You will gain a practical introduction to the performing arts industry, creative processes, and real-world performance skills. Key components include:
- Exploring the Performing Arts Industry – Understanding different roles (e.g., actor, dancer, director, stage manager, technician), how performances are created and produced, the structure of the industry, and factors influencing creative choices like audience, style, and context.
- Developing Performance Skills and Techniques – Hands-on practical work in acting, dance, musical theatre, or devised performance, including rehearsing, learning choreography/scripts, character development, vocal/physical techniques, and working collaboratively in groups.
- Responding to a Brief / Producing a Performance – Applying skills to create and present a final performance piece (e.g., scripted extract, dance routine, or devised show), including planning, rehearsing, performing to an audience, and reviewing the work.
The course combines theory with substantial practical work in a dedicated drama studio, dance space, or performance area, developing skills in creativity, confidence, teamwork, communication, and stagecraft while emphasising safe working practices, inclusivity, and current industry practices.
How is the course assessed:
A mix of internal and external assessment (graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* at Level 2, or Level 1 equivalents; no traditional GCSE tiers):
- Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts Industry – Internally assessed (coursework/portfolio/research), typically around 30-40% – Research into practitioners, styles, roles, and industry contexts.
- Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques – Internally assessed (practical tasks/portfolio), around 30% – Evidence of skill development through rehearsals, workshops, and performance logs.
- Component 3: Responding to a Brief / Synoptic Performance – Externally set and marked (practical performance with supporting evidence or examined task), around 30-40% – Creating and delivering a performance in response to a set stimulus/brief, often under timed conditions.
Total guided learning hours: approximately 120. The qualification is linear, with external assessment under supervised conditions (often including a practical performance window and/or written/evidence submission).
Post-16 courses:
Level 3 BTEC National in Performing Arts, Musical Theatre, Dance, or Production Arts (equivalent to A Levels), T Levels in Creative and Design (with performing arts focus), apprenticeships (e.g., theatre technician, community arts worker), or A Levels in Drama, Dance, Music, or Media. A good grade supports progression to college, sixth form, or higher education in performing arts, theatre, dance, or related creative fields.
Careers:
Actor, dancer, musical theatre performer, drama teacher, stage manager, theatre technician (lighting/sound), director, choreographer, community arts worker, events coordinator, TV/film extra, presenter, or roles in the creative industries, education, entertainment, and live events. The performing arts sector offers dynamic opportunities, including apprenticeships, freelance work, and strong demand for versatile performers and technicians in the UK.
Specific advantages:
This vocational course is highly practical, providing extensive hands-on experience in performance and production, which many students prefer over more theory-based subjects. It builds real employable skills early (e.g., confidence on stage, collaboration, creative problem-solving, performance techniques), suits those who enjoy acting, dancing, devising shows, or working in teams, and offers a clear route into the creative industries. At Discovery Academy (or similar Stoke-on-Trent secondary settings), the focus on industry-relevant facilities, practical workshops, and benchmarking vocational qualifications makes it engaging, expressive, and directly relevant to future careers in performance and the arts.
How useful it is in the real world:
Extremely useful – performing arts underpin the UK’s thriving creative industries (theatre, film, TV, live events, education, and community projects), which contribute billions to the economy and provide employment in entertainment, media, tourism, and beyond. The course equips you with practical, transferable skills like communication, creativity, resilience, teamwork, and self-presentation, which are highly valued in apprenticeships, employment, or further training across many sectors—not just the arts. It promotes understanding of professional practices, audience engagement, and cultural impact, fosters personal confidence and artistic expression, and opens doors to rewarding, varied careers in a vibrant industry essential for culture, creativity, and social expression in everyday life.
BTEC Performing Arts
Exam Board:
Pearson
What will I study on the course:
Students studying BTEC Performing Arts (Acting) develop practical acting skills through regular performance work, learning how to use voice, movement and characterisation effectively in both scripted and devised pieces. They explore play texts and theatre practitioners, applying different acting styles and techniques to performances while understanding how these approaches influence character and interpretation. Throughout the course, students follow a professional rehearsal process, working collaboratively, responding to direction, and refining performances for an audience. They also develop original devised theatre from a range of stimuli and gain an understanding of the performing arts industry, including auditions, health and safety, professional conduct and potential career pathways.
How is the course assessed:
BTEC Performing Arts Level 2 (Tech Award) is assessed through a combination of internally assessed coursework and an external assessment.
- Component 1 (30% of final grade) – internally assessed
- Component 2 (30% of final grade) – internally assessed
- Component 3 (40% of final grade) – externally assessed
Post-16 courses:
BTEC Level 3 National in Performing Arts Pathways may include:
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Dance
- Production Arts
(Equivalent to 3 A Levels)
A Level Drama and Theatre Studies focuses on:
- Acting and performance
- Script analysis
- Theatre practitioners
- Written exams and practical assessment
T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production
- Includes some performance-related elements but is more focused on technical and production roles – (includes a long industry placement)
Apprenticeships
A work-based route combining employment and training:
- Theatre technician
- Production assistant
- Creative venue support roles (Availability varies locally.)
Specialist Performing Arts Colleges
Highly practical and audition-based:
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Dance
- Performance training
Examples include drama schools and specialist sixth-form colleges.
Technical Theatre & Production Courses
For students interested in behind-the-scenes roles:
- Lighting
- Sound
- Stage management
- Costume
- Set design
Available as BTEC, UAL or T Level routes.
Careers:
Studying Drama or Performing Arts can lead to a wide range of career pathways across creative, educational and professional sectors. While some students choose to pursue performance directly, many go on to use the transferable skills developed through drama in a variety of roles.
Drama can lead to performance and creative careers such as acting for stage, film, television or radio, as well as musical theatre, physical theatre, voice acting, directing and devising original work. These roles often involve collaboration, rehearsal, performance and creative problem-solving, and may be freelance or company-based.
It also opens doors to behind-the-scenes and production roles within theatre and the creative industries. Careers such as stage management, assistant directing, lighting and sound operation, costume or set design, theatre technician roles, arts administration and venue management support live performance and production while drawing heavily on organisational and communication skills.
Many students progress into education and community-based roles, including drama teaching, teaching assistant or HLTA positions, youth theatre leadership, workshop facilitation and theatre-in-education work. These careers use drama as a tool for learning, engagement and personal development, working with young people and local communities.
Drama skills are also valued in media and creative industries, leading to roles such as presenter, casting assistant, production runner, scriptwriter, playwright or content creator. These careers combine performance awareness with storytelling, communication and creative planning.
Beyond the arts, drama provides strong preparation for careers that rely on transferable skills, including marketing, public relations, human resources, sales, customer service, law, politics, journalism, event management and corporate training. In these fields, employers value the confidence, communication, teamwork and empathy developed through studying drama.
Overall, drama can support progression to university, drama school, apprenticeships or employment, offering flexible pathways into both creative and non-creative careers while equipping students with skills that are useful across a wide range of professions.
Specific advantages:
Studying Drama develops strong communication and confidence skills, helping students speak clearly, use their voice and body effectively, and present ideas with assurance. Regular performance work improves self-esteem, resilience and public speaking skills, which are valuable across all subjects and future careers.
Drama also builds emotional intelligence, creativity and teamwork. By exploring characters and themes, students develop empathy and an understanding of different perspectives. Collaborative rehearsal and performance work encourage cooperation, problem-solving and imaginative thinking, while teaching students how to respond constructively to feedback.
Finally, drama supports transferable and career-ready skills such as organisation, discipline and adaptability. Learning lines, managing rehearsal time and meeting deadlines prepare students for further education and employment. Whether students pursue creative industries, education, or non-arts careers, drama helps develop confident, well-rounded and adaptable individuals.
How useful it is in the real world:
Studying Drama is useful in the real world because it develops practical life skills that employers, universities and communities value highly.
Firstly, drama builds strong communication and confidence. Through performance, discussion and collaboration, students learn how to speak clearly, listen actively, read body language and adapt how they communicate to different situations. These skills are essential in everyday life and careers such as teaching, business, law, healthcare, customer service and leadership.
Secondly, drama develops teamwork, empathy and problem-solving skills. Working in groups teaches students how to cooperate, compromise, give and receive feedback, and understand different perspectives. Exploring characters and real-world issues nurtures emotional intelligence, helping students relate to others and handle social situations with sensitivity and maturity.
Finally, drama prepares students for the realities of work and study by building self-discipline, adaptability and resilience. Learning lines, meeting deadlines, coping with nerves and responding to challenges mirrors real-world pressures. These transferable skills help students succeed in further education, employment and everyday situations, even if they never pursue a career in the arts.
