Good reputations, built over many years can crumble in a single year if key people leave - and sadly, in education, the managers are frequently people who weren't very good at teaching and got promoted up out of harms way. So in school, there's no guarantee the music teacher can actually read music, and the dance teacher could well be the PE teacher who had grade 3 Tap (when a tot themselves) on their CV - and that made them qualified to teach dance. Teachers get 'redeployed' rather than made redundant. I remember one who thought Jazz Dance was aerobics to jazz music - honestly!
Colleges and school rarely explain things like BTEC properly, figuring it will confuse, so the 50% acting, 25% dance isn't actually how it really works. There are a huge pile of units in the specification, and some are kind of important foundations everyone needs - so they become a core unit across all the pathways - dance, acting, performance, MT etc. Other units are very important for the particular pathway, and then the others are specialist units which get picked. When the places apply to run the course, they pick what they fancy from the list to make the course unique to them. Most, of course, pick common sense ones. Some bigger colleges can have more on offer than are required (usually 18) - they can then afford to give students choice. So the dancers might do more specialist dance areas, the actors might have their own favourites and those with musical aptitude can pick theirs. If the college is big enough to do this financially, then the results in terms of grades are better. People always do better on units they actually like. In smaller colleges with a fixed programme - then it does mean the acting unit will have some pretty hopeless people in it, and in dance units there will be some people who are just never, ever, going to be dancers - which can if not controlled dilute the difficulty and complexity of the work. So the teacher is unlikely to pick a play to work on that the weakest ones can't manage - which if they were all better, they could. This means that sometimes upper quality levels get set by the weakest student, who has to be able to at least pass. This is something OFSTED monitor. If work set is too demanding for the weak ones, it's considered bad! Moving the iffy dancers into a different area works best - but sometimes can't be done. Sometimes colleges will dump a unit after a week or two when it becomes clear the skills of the group are just not going to make it work. Ballet is a good example. If you run the unit in an area where there is an excellent, old fashioned 'Miss Betty' type dance school, then all the kids are already really good at ballet, because they've all been having lessons for years - so they get Distinctions almost effortlessly, because they really are that good. The dance teacher can then design really tough but excellent work for them. If one year none of the intake have had ballet lessons, or worse, maybe just two or three - they are likely to scrap the ballet unit because no matter how hard they work, a year of a couple of hours a week is going to not be enough to get the stamina and discipline up - let alone technique.
Parents need to really understand what goes one and ask questions. My experience is that they very rarely do - and you can't rely on what the kids tell you because they don't understand either. The real beauty of BTEC is that you as a parent can track the kids progress, almost from day one. Colleges do assessment throughout the year, so it's easy to build up a picture. If your kids are constantly getting just passes, then it is too hard for them, or they're not trying hard enough. Within 3 months, you should know how they are doing - and if it needs a kick up the bum, it's not too late. BTEC assessment can, with the willingness of the teacher, be repeated and grades improved. This is fundamental. If they get a pass, you as a parent can look at the work they were set and see exactly what they were assessed on, and what they needed to do to get the better grades. It's not a secret - most teachers give this info out when they set the work. No surprises at the end. Every single student knows how well, or not they are doing. Many teachers even tell them what they needed to have done to get a better grade, and invite them to do it - not all take the opportunity.
This is why I like it so much - it places responsibility onto the kids and lets them make their own mind up if they wish to put themselves out and do the work to a better standard.
BTEC in drama or A Levels
Moderator: busybusybusy
Re: BTEC in drama or A Levels
Hi Paulears
I know I said at the beginning my son has a place on a BTEC level 3 course in drama I should have said acting. I am a bit confused as you said you can only do one in performing arts.
This is definitely entitled BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Acting B3EDACT-I'm reading this off his offer letter and I know at his audition/interview we were told they would only be studying acting, there is also the same course on offer at this college but in musical theatre which he also was accepted on but as his passion is acting he decided that was the one he wanted to do.
I know I said at the beginning my son has a place on a BTEC level 3 course in drama I should have said acting. I am a bit confused as you said you can only do one in performing arts.
This is definitely entitled BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Acting B3EDACT-I'm reading this off his offer letter and I know at his audition/interview we were told they would only be studying acting, there is also the same course on offer at this college but in musical theatre which he also was accepted on but as his passion is acting he decided that was the one he wanted to do.
Re: BTEC in drama or A Levels
Don't worry,nigelben, you are correct.
Filton actually do 4 different performance related level 3 BTECs -you can do either Dance or Acting or Musical Theatre or Production Arts(Technical). The topics covered are in the brochure, so I'm not sure about comments about them not being publicised. When they put on a production several of the BTEC classes can work together.
The Acting BTEC includes 18 units covering acting technique & styles, impro, voice, physical theatre, movement, film & tv, mask, theatre for children, contempory theatre, business, classical theatre, analysis of practitioners, how to research plays, interpret & bring to life text, and personal reflection.....which I think adds to 15, but I guess some may cover 2 units.
DS chose this college for the Acting BTEC over the other 2 that had offered him places because he loved the teachers he met on the full day trial (when they assessed if you were good enough to get a place), he thought the topics covered matched those he wanted to study, its purpose built, has loads of equipment including a full size theatre, and it was over subscribed so you had to make an effort to get a place, and one of his Drama teachers raved about it. I didn't think to ask if other 'outsiders' were able to use the facilities but we looked at a college with absolutely NO facilities, except a dusty old hall, and he'd rather share amazing equipment with others than not have the opportunity to use any equipment at all.
This college arranges the BTEC course so you do 12 units in Year 1, and 6 units in Year 2. This means that if you do the course for 2 years you have a chance to top up the 2nd year with AS Theatre studies and ICT skills. If you choose to only do Year 1 you can gain the equivalent of 2A levels at the end of the year, and then you can start a new 2 year BTEC in one of the other 3 disciplines, or do A levels.
Sounds ace to me!
Tikka
Filton actually do 4 different performance related level 3 BTECs -you can do either Dance or Acting or Musical Theatre or Production Arts(Technical). The topics covered are in the brochure, so I'm not sure about comments about them not being publicised. When they put on a production several of the BTEC classes can work together.
The Acting BTEC includes 18 units covering acting technique & styles, impro, voice, physical theatre, movement, film & tv, mask, theatre for children, contempory theatre, business, classical theatre, analysis of practitioners, how to research plays, interpret & bring to life text, and personal reflection.....which I think adds to 15, but I guess some may cover 2 units.
DS chose this college for the Acting BTEC over the other 2 that had offered him places because he loved the teachers he met on the full day trial (when they assessed if you were good enough to get a place), he thought the topics covered matched those he wanted to study, its purpose built, has loads of equipment including a full size theatre, and it was over subscribed so you had to make an effort to get a place, and one of his Drama teachers raved about it. I didn't think to ask if other 'outsiders' were able to use the facilities but we looked at a college with absolutely NO facilities, except a dusty old hall, and he'd rather share amazing equipment with others than not have the opportunity to use any equipment at all.
This college arranges the BTEC course so you do 12 units in Year 1, and 6 units in Year 2. This means that if you do the course for 2 years you have a chance to top up the 2nd year with AS Theatre studies and ICT skills. If you choose to only do Year 1 you can gain the equivalent of 2A levels at the end of the year, and then you can start a new 2 year BTEC in one of the other 3 disciplines, or do A levels.
Sounds ace to me!
Tikka
Re: BTEC in drama or A Levels
This may explain how it works. Things to note are that although most units are 10 credits, some are more because they have double hours. You'll also spot that many units in the two pathways are th same, so they'll probably timetable those so thy can be done with a big group rather than teach it twice! They can also select their list of options to group common ones if they want - so the two pathways might be very similar with just a few units unique to the pathway. I'm sure whichever they choose, the college will have the balance right! They've been doing it a fair time now.
Here's the official info on the entire thing - Filton select their own bits to suit them from this shopping list - as do every school and college.
Official title (as in what is printed on the final certificate).
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)
Unit Mandatory units Credit Level
1 Performance Workshop 10 3
3 Performing Arts Business 10 3
4 The Historical Context of Performance 10 3
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
7 Performing to an Audience 10 3
14 Musical Theatre Performance 10 3
(So everyone MUST do these 6)
Unit Optional units
9 Devising Plays 10 3
12 Classical Theatre Performance 10 3
13 Contemporary Theatre Performance 10 3
15 Variety Performance 10 3
17 Developing Voice for the Actor 10 3
18 Auditions for Actors 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
20 Applying Acting Styles 10 3
21 Drama Improvisation 10 3
23 Film and TV Acting 10 3
24 The Performance of Mime 10 3
25 The Practice of Directing Theatre 10 3
26 Approaches to Directing Theatre 10 3
27 Script Writing 10 3
28 Storytelling as Performance 10 3
29 Stand-up Comic Technique 10 3
30 Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers 10 3
38 Dance Performance 10 3
39 Choreographic Principles 10 3
40 Choreographing Dance 10 3
41 Dance Improvisation 10 3
42 The Healthy Performer 10 3
43 Developing Classical Ballet Technique 10 3
44 Applying Classical Ballet Techniques 10 3
45 Developing Contemporary Dance Technique 10 3
46 Applying Contemporary Dance Technique 10 3
47 Jazz Dance 10 3
48 Tap Dance 10 3
49 Developing Movement Skills 10 3
50 Movement in Performance 10 3
51 International Dance 10 3
52 Urban Dance 10 3
53 Exploring Contact Improvisation 10 3
54 Dance Appreciation 10 3
55 Arts in the Community 10 3
74 Working Freelance in the Performing and Production Arts 10 3
75 Legal Aspects for Performers 10 3
101 Singing Techniques and Performance 10 3
103 Voice and the Actor 10 3
106 Marketing for the Performing Arts 10 3
The Acting one is really called the Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting)
Unit Mandatory units Credit Level
1 Performance Workshop 10 3
3 Performing Arts Business 10 3
4 The Historical Context of Performance 10 3
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
7 Performing to an Audience 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
Again, a similar list but with one change.
Unit Optional units
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
9 Devising Plays 10 3
10 Theatre in Education 10 3
11 Theatre for Children 10 3
12 Classical Theatre Performance 10 3
13 Contemporary Theatre Performance 10 3
14 Musical Theatre Performance 10 3
15 Variety Performance 10 3
16 Performing with Masks 10 3
17 Developing Voice for the Actor 10 3
18 Auditions for Actors 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
20 Applying Acting Styles 10 3
21 Drama Improvisation 10 3
22 Audio Performance Acting 10 3
23 Film and TV Acting 10 3
24 The Performance of Mime 10 3
25 The Practice of Directing Theatre 10 3
26 Approaches to Directing Theatre 10 3
27 Script Writing 10 3
28 Storytelling as Performance 10 3
29 Stand-up Comic Technique 10 3
30 Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers 10 3
31 Developing Styles in Clowning 10 3
32 Developing Physical Theatre 10 3
33 Applying Physical Theatre 10 3
42 The Healthy Performer 10 3
49 Developing Movement Skills 10 3
50 Movement in Performance 10 3
55 Arts in the Community 10 3
74 Working Freelance in the Performing and Production Arts 10 3
75 Legal Aspects for Performers 10 3
101 Singing Techniques and Performance 10 3
102 Site-Specific Performance 10 3
103 Voice and the Actor 10 3
104 Special Subject Investigation 10 3
106 Marketing for the Performing Arts 10 3
Here's the official info on the entire thing - Filton select their own bits to suit them from this shopping list - as do every school and college.
Official title (as in what is printed on the final certificate).
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Musical Theatre)
Unit Mandatory units Credit Level
1 Performance Workshop 10 3
3 Performing Arts Business 10 3
4 The Historical Context of Performance 10 3
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
7 Performing to an Audience 10 3
14 Musical Theatre Performance 10 3
(So everyone MUST do these 6)
Unit Optional units
9 Devising Plays 10 3
12 Classical Theatre Performance 10 3
13 Contemporary Theatre Performance 10 3
15 Variety Performance 10 3
17 Developing Voice for the Actor 10 3
18 Auditions for Actors 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
20 Applying Acting Styles 10 3
21 Drama Improvisation 10 3
23 Film and TV Acting 10 3
24 The Performance of Mime 10 3
25 The Practice of Directing Theatre 10 3
26 Approaches to Directing Theatre 10 3
27 Script Writing 10 3
28 Storytelling as Performance 10 3
29 Stand-up Comic Technique 10 3
30 Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers 10 3
38 Dance Performance 10 3
39 Choreographic Principles 10 3
40 Choreographing Dance 10 3
41 Dance Improvisation 10 3
42 The Healthy Performer 10 3
43 Developing Classical Ballet Technique 10 3
44 Applying Classical Ballet Techniques 10 3
45 Developing Contemporary Dance Technique 10 3
46 Applying Contemporary Dance Technique 10 3
47 Jazz Dance 10 3
48 Tap Dance 10 3
49 Developing Movement Skills 10 3
50 Movement in Performance 10 3
51 International Dance 10 3
52 Urban Dance 10 3
53 Exploring Contact Improvisation 10 3
54 Dance Appreciation 10 3
55 Arts in the Community 10 3
74 Working Freelance in the Performing and Production Arts 10 3
75 Legal Aspects for Performers 10 3
101 Singing Techniques and Performance 10 3
103 Voice and the Actor 10 3
106 Marketing for the Performing Arts 10 3
The Acting one is really called the Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting)
Unit Mandatory units Credit Level
1 Performance Workshop 10 3
3 Performing Arts Business 10 3
4 The Historical Context of Performance 10 3
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
7 Performing to an Audience 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
Again, a similar list but with one change.
Unit Optional units
5 Rehearsing for Performance 20 3
9 Devising Plays 10 3
10 Theatre in Education 10 3
11 Theatre for Children 10 3
12 Classical Theatre Performance 10 3
13 Contemporary Theatre Performance 10 3
14 Musical Theatre Performance 10 3
15 Variety Performance 10 3
16 Performing with Masks 10 3
17 Developing Voice for the Actor 10 3
18 Auditions for Actors 10 3
19 Principles of Acting 10 3
20 Applying Acting Styles 10 3
21 Drama Improvisation 10 3
22 Audio Performance Acting 10 3
23 Film and TV Acting 10 3
24 The Performance of Mime 10 3
25 The Practice of Directing Theatre 10 3
26 Approaches to Directing Theatre 10 3
27 Script Writing 10 3
28 Storytelling as Performance 10 3
29 Stand-up Comic Technique 10 3
30 Singing Skills for Actors and Dancers 10 3
31 Developing Styles in Clowning 10 3
32 Developing Physical Theatre 10 3
33 Applying Physical Theatre 10 3
42 The Healthy Performer 10 3
49 Developing Movement Skills 10 3
50 Movement in Performance 10 3
55 Arts in the Community 10 3
74 Working Freelance in the Performing and Production Arts 10 3
75 Legal Aspects for Performers 10 3
101 Singing Techniques and Performance 10 3
102 Site-Specific Performance 10 3
103 Voice and the Actor 10 3
104 Special Subject Investigation 10 3
106 Marketing for the Performing Arts 10 3