Sixth Form
Performing Arts
Studying Performing Arts allows us to hold a mirror to the human condition through live storytelling, empowering students to cultivate deep empathy, collaborate creatively, and confidently project their voices to shape the cultural narratives of our world.
At Ryde you can study Theatre Studies and BTEC Performing Arts.
Why study Performing Arts?
Offering unparalleled opportunities to develop vital interpersonal skills while nurturing creative insight and academic depth. Grounded in rigorous research, the exploration of complex performance theories, and the practical application of technical skills, this course demands both intellectual curiosity and artistic expression.
While it provides the perfect foundation for students wishing to pursue drama and the performing arts beyond school, it is also highly respected as a discipline that cultivates a broad suite of critical, transferable skills. Through collaboration, presentation, and analytical writing, our students develop the self-assurance, emotional intelligence, and persuasive communication skills required to excel in any future career and to degree courses in Drama, Performing Arts, English, Drama School, Film and Television and Media. Drama and Theatre Studies graduates get jobs with a range of employers including theatres and arts organisations, broadcasters, schools, colleges and universities, welfare organisations and advertising agencies.
Courses Available
Entry Requirements
GCSE Drama Grade 6 or above. Students who have not studied Drama at GCSE will be considered on an individual basis following a discussion with the Head of Drama.
Award
A LEVEL AQA Drama and Theatre Studies
Course Content/Structure
- Component 1: 40% Set Texts; Hedda Gabler, Our Country’s Good, Live Theatre
- Component 2: 30% Devising original drama
- Component 3: 30% Presenting three extracts from three texts, influenced by a theatre practitioner
Assessment
- Component 1: Final 180 minute written exam.
- Component 2: Internal assessment (Practical and Written Coursework), external moderation.
- Component 3: External assessment by visiting examiner (Practical and Written Coursework).
The Performing Art BTEC has been designed for those who are interested in the study of the performing arts both in practice and theory. Future employers and professional bodies have been consulted in the structure of the course to ensure the content is appropriate and consistent with current practice for students choosing to enter employment in this field.
Entry Requirements
Taken as part of the IBCP and must be taken with either 2 Higher Level IB subjects or 3 Standard Level subjects.
Course Content/Structure
The course contains three mandatory and one optional units studied and assessed over the two years of the course.
Mandatory units
These units focus on:
Investigating Practitioners’ Work – critical analysis and extended writing skills that aim to support students ’progress to higher education. As possible performing arts practitioners, students will gain a good understanding of the work of influential practitioners to inform their own work and practice
Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance – students will develop the appropriate skills and techniques in various performance disciplines such as acting, dance, musical theatre and physical theatre.
Group Performance Workshop– students will develop the essential skills necessary for the performing arts. They will develop physical techniques, as well as wider transferable skills such as being able to work collaboratively, personal management and organisation (rehearsals, time management), being able to give and take direction, confidence in front of an audience, problem solving (refining the process) and teamwork. Students will understand different audiences in different environments and will learn to adapt a performance to engage the target audience.
Optional Unit
Students select one optional unit to support their own strengths, examples include: Contemporary dance technique, street dance technique, acting styles, developing the voice for performance, and variety performance.
Assessment
Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles. There are three main forms of assessment: external, internal and synoptic.
External assessments used for qualifications in the performing arts suite are: set tasks where learners take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a task. Internally- assessed units are set by the school and assess the final summative assessment of each unit. Synoptic assessment requires learners to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to a key task.