February 2024 BTEC Performing Arts update
Hello,
Welcome to this February 2024 update.
I hope that half term provided (or will provide if it's this week) some time for you to take stock and have a break.
If you ever need to get in touch, please use my details below.
Here is your February 2024 update with all the latest news on our BTEC Performing Arts qualifications.
In this update you will find information on:
- Key dates
- Component 3 updated task for designers
- Component 3 Admin Support Guide and templates
- New Tech Award training events and support page
- Level 1 Performing Arts available until 2027
- Updated Assessment Record Template (to include AI)
- Music and Drama Education Expo
- Learner Work Transfer feedback
- Higher Nationals in Performing Arts
- BTEC Nationals exemplar work for Units 3 and 5
- Support and Contact

Date | Event |
---|---|
21 February | Entry deadline for component 3 entries for the May/June series (Tech Award) |
11 March | Unit 5 task released (Nationals) |
13 March | Unit 7 task released (Nationals) |
18 March | Unit 1 task released (Nationals) |
21 March | Results Day for Tech Award January 24 components (Tech Award) |
1 May | Unit 1 task completion (Nationals) |
1 - 8 May | Unit 5 task completion (Nationals) |
1 - 15 May | Unit 7 task completion (Nationals) |
8 May | Unit 3 task submission (Nationals) |
15 May | Deadline for submitting the first sample to the Standards Verifier (Firsts and Nationals) |
17 May | Unit 7 task submission (Nationals) |
5 July | Claiming deadline to make a full award claim, inputting all internal grades, for learners expecting a result following the release of May/June 2024 external examination results |
15 August | Level 3 Results Day: release of Level 3 results to learners. |
22 August | Level 2 Results Day: release of Level 2 results to learners. |

Component 3 updated task
We have issued an updated version of the June 2024 set task for BTEC Tech Award Performing Arts, Component 3: Responding to a Brief.
Page 2 of the set task incorrectly stated that the duration of the pitch/presentation for design candidates is 5 to 10 minutes. This should read 3 to 10 minutes, as outlined throughout the rest of the task. A corrected version of the set task brief is available to download now.
Please ensure that you use this version and delete any previous versions that you may have downloaded. As a reminder, the submission deadline for this component is 10 May 2024.


New Tech Award Training and support page
We have some new online training events available for the Tech Award components this term:
- 13th March- Marking and Moderation
- 15th March- Preparing for External Assessment
- 18th March- Marking and Moderation
- 25th March- Preparing for External Assessment
You will be able to book on to these events from Monday 19th February.
We've also created a new training support page, where you can access past training event recordings and bitesize videos to support the delivery of BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts 2022, including:
- Getting Started
- Marking and Moderation
- Preparing for Component 3 external assessment
- How moderation works
- Component 2 requirements

Level 1 Performing Arts available until 2027
We are pleased to announce that the Level 1 Introductory qualifications in Performing Arts are available until 2027.
These courses are 100% internally assessed and fully funded.
If you need any information on them, please get in touch using my contact details below

This template now includes an updated authenticity declaration to include acknowledgement of any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. This form is provided for immediate use.

If you design and use your own Assessment Record, please ensure this is updated to replicate the authenticity statement in our template/s.


Music and Drama Education Expo 2024
The Music and Drama Education Expo is taking place on 22nd and 23rd February 2024 at the Business Design Centre in London.
I will be there on Thursday 22nd so please come and visit me on the Pearson stand. I'll also be giving a talk on the future of Level 2 and 3 vocational qualifications in Performing Arts, Dance and Production Arts.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Music and Drama Education Expo

Learner Work Transfer Feedback
As users of our Learner Work Transfer platform, we would like to hear from you about your experiences with the system.
The outcomes of this survey will help us to continue to introduce improvements, making it easier for you to upload and monitor learner work in future series.
The survey is anonymous but there is the opportunity to leave contact details to provide more in depth feedback if you so wish.

Higher Nationals in Performing Arts
We are extending the HNs in Performing Arts for one more year.
This is to allow time for feedback on the new model Art, Design and Media suite which had a first teach of Sept 2023.
The site will be updated soon, but please note we are extending both qualfications to August 2025.
We are very interested in any feedback from centres and looking for anyone who would like to be involved in the redevelopment of these qualifications in the UK and internationally.
Please do email Fiona if you would like to send any feedback and/or would like to be involved in the redevelopment. Contact: Fiona Ross
Fiona.ross@pearson.com


Subject advisor
Paul Webster
Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts
