02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the performing arts sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in performing arts or other related sectors.
The Skills for Performing Arts qualifications form part of the Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Performing Arts sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for Performing Arts qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete a total of 39 credits. They must complete the two mandatory units in Group M (Mandatory), totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 23 credits from Group O1 (Optional units - Performing Arts) and 10 further credits from either Group O1 or O2 (Optional units – Employability Skills, English and Maths). At least 25 credits must be at Level 2. Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
Learners must complete 6 credits from this group.
Rehearsal Skills
Working in the Performing Arts
Learners must complete a minimum of 23 credits from this group.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Acting Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Backstage Theatre Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Dance Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Develop Varied Dance Pieces
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Devising Drama
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Drama and Theatre Workshop
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Group Devised Drama Project
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Improvisation and Performance Skills
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Dance
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
MIDI and Audio Techniques
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
MIDI Sequencing and Software
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Multi-Track Audio Recording
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Music for Performance
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Music Marketing and Promotion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Music Production and Remixing Techniques
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Music Sequencing and Production
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Music Skills for Solo Performance
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Musical Theatre Performance
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Performing Arts Business
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Performing in a Production
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Plan, Lead and Evaluate a Series of Dance Sessions
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Promoting a Performing Arts Event
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Song Writing Skills
Song Writing Skills in Popular Music
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Sound and Audio Production Skills
Sound and Music Production
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Sound Effect Techniques for Music Production
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Sound Production and Recording
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using DJ Skills
Learners may take up to 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may take up to 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Communication Skills for Work
Customer service skills
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Leadership Skills
Making the most of work placement
Negotiation Skills
Numeracy Skills for Work
Searching for a Job
Self-Management Skills for Work
Setting and Meeting Work-Related Targets
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
Learners may take up to 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Engage in Discussion
Engage in Discussion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Listen and Respond
Listen and Respond
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Information
Read for Information
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Speak to Communicate
Speak to Communicate
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write Fluently and Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
Learners may take up to 10 credits from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Calculations
Making Calculations
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Money, Time and Temperature
Money, Time and Temperature
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratio
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratios
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using and Communicating Data
Using and Communicating Data
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Probability
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Space
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is suitable if you need a comprehensive level 2 Performing Arts course. It will be of specific relevance to:
• Young people, aged 16 and over, who are aspiring to a career in the performing arts but are not yet sure in which precise area, and who intend to access level 3 qualifications or a level 3 apprenticeship but need a fairly extensive learning programme at level 2 before they will be ready to do so
• People aged 16 and over, usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in the performing arts but need a comprehensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills over an extended period before identifying the most appropriate job roles and applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides you with a comprehensive, introductory set of knowledge and skills, relevant to performing arts. You must take the two mandatory units:
• Working in the Performing Arts
• Rehearsal Skills.
Optional units cover knowledge and skills relating to dance, drama, music and music technology, and backstage and administrative roles (such as devising and directing dance and drama, acting skills, musical performance and song-writing skills, backstage theatre skills and promoting performances), alongside generic employability skills (such as time-management skills and working in a team) including those for self-employment.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. You should take the Diploma if, before progressing to a level 3 Apprenticeship or to a Level 3 qualification, or to employment (with further training where possible), you need a comprehensive introduction to the sector, including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles and career pathways in the sector, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills. The Diploma will be suitable if you who would benefit from an extended period of time working at level 2, up to 2 years, before progressing to employment or to a level 3 qualification or apprenticeship.
Which sector does this qualification support?
The learner could progress from this qualification to a performance role or an entry-level position, such as a recording, production or marketing assistant or member of a venue or stage crew. And the learner could also progress to an Advanced apprenticeship in a job role such as community arts administrator, producer, events or entertainment officer, or backstage manager.
What are the progression options?
The learner can progress to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in performing arts, Access to Higher Education Diploma in Performing Arts, or to an Intermediate or Advanced Apprenticeship, for example in Technical Theatre Support or Community Arts.
Progression & entry requirements
The learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners aged 16 and above.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.