Performing Arts - Year 10 :: Queen Elizabeth High School

BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts (Performance) (Edexcel Level 2) - Year 10

You will study 7 units over the two years on the course across all three performing arts disciplines. You will complete assignment briefs with realistic, work based scenarios and projects.
There are no exams in the BTEC course; instead you will produce an ongoing series of tasks that will show you have met certain criteria. These will be provided with each assessment task. You will have to participate in public performances in order to pass the course.

TEACHER 1	TEACHER 2	TEACHER 3
Half Term 1 (June - July)
C14 The Development of Dance The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ knowledge of the social and historical context of dance and the choreographic process. Learners will also have the opportunity to explore their own choreographic skills and create dance for performance. Task 1: Dance Styles; introduction to a wide variety of dance styles through practical workshops and research tasks.	E30 Solo Musical Performance Introduction to unit criteria. Learning about vocal/instrumental techniques Performing one short extract from a song	B4 Acting Skills & Techniques For this unit, students will develop a range of acting skills and techniques which will enable them to perform in an acting role to an audience. They will explore and improve their individual skills such as vocal, movement and interpretation and development of character.
External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Dance styles project book Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Class activities will be assessed for feedback. All students will perform to each other. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Actors logbook Field Trips/Visits: No

Half Term 2 (September - October)
Task 2: Musical Theatre Students develop technique, performance and choreography skills whilst learning a performance piece from a musical.	How to build a portfolio of solos: choosing solos for an occasion. First solo preparation. Continuing with vocal/instrumental technique: how to practise	The course is taught firstly through a series of practical acting workshops where students will learn a variety of essential acting skills.
External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Assessed performance Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Assessment of notes taken during technique classes Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Actors logbook and self audits Field Trips/Visits: No

Half Term 3 (November - December)
Students will work individually to research Ghost Dances and its social and historical context, and present their research. Students will work in threes to create dance material inspired by professional repertoire taken from Christopher Bruce’s Ghost Dances.	Continuing vocal/instrumental technique. How to analyse techniques. How to build a portfolio of solos: choosing solos that suit your skill level. First solo assessment.	These workshops lead to character development, group rehearsal and at least 3 acting projects including a solo monologue, a devised piece and scripted performance for an audience.
External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Ghost dances booklet Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: First solo performance. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Monologue performance Field Trips/Visits: No

Half Term 4 (January - Febuary)
Task 3 continued	Assessment of vocal technique – preparing evidence for a dvd on technique. Evaluation of first song and preparation for second song.	Unit B4 Acting continued The unit aims to improve student’s acting ability and confidence for performing. This, along with dance and music training, is ideal preparation for their final major project where they perform in a full length musical show in the Theatre, to an external audience.
External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Assessed performance of performance piece. Review of choreography Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Assessed performance and analysis of vocal techniques. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Actors logbook Field Trips/Visits: No

Half Term 5 (March - April)
Task 4: Jazz Dance Develop technique, performance skill and appreciation of jazz dance through technique classes, choreography workshops and research tasks.	Written analysis of 3 songs of different standards. Continuing vocal training. Third song preparation.	Unit A1 Working in the Industry This unit aims to give learners knowledge of employment opportunities within the performing arts industry and the jobs undertaken by those who work in it. This compliments and run’s alongside the acting unit and is taught by Miss Macdonald.
External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Jazz dance booklet Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Solo grading comparison, written task. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Business booklet Field Trips/Visits: Trip to performing arts business - tbc

Half Term 5 (April - May)
Task 5: Famous Dancer Timeline Jazz Technique Dance History	Choosing music for a specific event – written assessment. Ongoing technique development.	A2 Professional Development This unit allows learners to gain knowledge of a range of career opportunities with a view to their own Professional development within the performing arts industry.
External Assessment: Yes Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Famous dancer timeline Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Essay on choosing solos for a performance. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Business booklet Field Trips/Visits: No

Half Term 5 (June - July)
Task 6: Solo Choreography Solo choreography audition piece.	Opportunities to improve solo performance and written work grades. Preparation for 4th solo.	Acting continued There will be a chance to improve acting grades through another short acting task.
External Assessment: Yes Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Performance and review of solo choreography Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: No Internal Common Assessment: Yes Coursework Deadline this H/T: Opportunities to improve solo performing and written tasks. Field Trips/Visits: No	External Assessment: Yes Internal Common Assessment: No Coursework Deadline this H/T: Business booklet Field Trips/Visits: No

Suggested Reading list
Ashley L – Essential Guide to Dance, 3rd Edition (Hodder Arnold, 2002) ISBN 9780340968383
Jewers S, Carnaghan C, East R and Read J – Edexcel Level 2 BTEC First Performing Arts Student Book. (Pearson Education, 2010) ISBN 9780435026516
Journal
The Stage