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Sixth Form

Performing Arts – Level 3 Cambridge Technical

LEVEL 3 · PERFORMING ARTS

Perform. Create. Collaborate.

Develop your skills as a performer while exploring the wider performing arts industry through practical projects, live performance and collaborative work across Drama, Dance and Music.
QUALIFICATION
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Performing Arts		 EXAM BOARD
OCR		 DURATION
Two years		 ASSESSMENT
External assessment and internally assessed practical work

Why choose Performing Arts?

Performing Arts is a practical and creative Level 3 qualification for students who want to continue developing their performance skills beyond GCSE.

The course is deliberately broad. Students may come to PH6 with a background in Drama, Dance or Music and will have opportunities to build on their existing strengths while also working collaboratively with students from other specialisms.

Alongside performance, you will develop an understanding of the professional performing arts sector, explore the work of influential practitioners and respond creatively to performance briefs.

The qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level, making it suitable to study alongside two other Level 3 subjects. OCR describes the course as providing practical experience and developing the skills and knowledge required for employment and further study within the performing arts sector.

What you will study

Working in the performing arts industry
Explore the range of organisations, roles and opportunities within the performing arts sector and develop an understanding of what is required to work successfully within the industry.
Responding to a creative brief
Develop ideas in response to a commissioning brief, considering the audience, purpose, resources and practical demands of producing performance work.
Influential performance practice
Explore significant practitioners, styles and performance traditions and investigate how they have influenced contemporary performing arts.
Combined Arts
Work collaboratively across different performing arts disciplines to create and develop performance work.
Practical performance
Develop your own performance skills through an additional practical unit. The precise optional unit may vary according to the needs and strengths of the cohort.

The OCR Extended Certificate includes the mandatory units Prepare to Work in the Performing Arts Sector, Proposal for a Commissioning Brief, Influential Performance Practice and Combined Arts, alongside one optional 60-GLH unit. Options include Performing Repertoire, Improvisation, Current Issues in Performing Arts, and Health and Fitness for Performance.

Entry requirements

Standard PH6 entry requirements: at least five GCSEs at grades 9–5.

Additional subject requirement:
Grade 5 or above in Dance, Drama, Music or another relevant performing arts subject.

Students who have not studied a relevant performing arts subject at GCSE but have significant relevant performance experience may also be considered following discussion with the department.

This course suits you if…

  • You enjoy performing and creating work practically.
  • You have experience or a strong interest in Drama, Dance or Music.
  • You enjoy collaborating with others.
  • You are willing to perform in front of an audience.
  • You are creative, organised and prepared to rehearse independently.
  • You are interested in the creative industries and developing transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and confidence.

How you will be assessed

The Extended Certificate combines external and internal assessment.

Students complete three externally assessed mandatory units:

  • Prepare to Work in the Performing Arts Sector
  • Proposal for a Commissioning Brief
  • Influential Performance Practice

Students also complete the internally assessed Combined Arts unit and one internally assessed optional unit.

Internal assessment will involve practical performance work supported by appropriate planning, research, development and evaluation evidence.

Where Performing Arts can take you

The course provides preparation for further study, apprenticeships and employment across the creative and performing arts industries.

Possible pathways include:

Acting   Dance   Music   Musical Theatre   Performance   Teaching   Arts administration   Theatre production   Events   Film and television   Creative industries

The communication, collaboration, creativity and confidence developed through Performing Arts are also valuable across a much wider range of university courses and careers.

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