February 2025 BTEC Performing Arts update

• Tech Award Exemplars
• Tech Award Component 3 training events
• Tech Award Key dates
• Higher Nationals in Performing Arts update
• BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts funding update for 2026/27
• Podcasts for Units 3 and 5
• The National Plan for Drama
• Support and Contact

Tech Award Exemplars

There are exemplars now available for Components 1, 2 and 3 on our website.

The new Component 3 work includes a design student and a dance student.

Tech Award Component 3 training events

We have some free online training events for Component 3: Responding to a Brief this term.

Tech Award key dates

Higher Nationals in Performing Arts update

We are excited to be moving forward with the development of new Higher Nationals in both Performing Arts and Music, due to be published by May 2025 and available for first teaching in Sept 2025.

To allow centres to have adequate time to move over to the new suite, we will be extending the current Music and Performing Arts HNs for one more year. If you have any questions or feedback, please do get in touch with our Subject Lead: Fiona.Ross@Pearson.com

We've been working with industry professionals to ensure the new specifications reflect contemporary industry approaches and technologies, including Colin Ross Waterson, composer and lyricist, who has a new musical out!

BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts funding update for 2026/27

Good news: the DFE have announced that BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts, Performing Arts Practice and Production Arts Practice will be fully funded in 2026/27.

On 12 December 2024, the DfE published the outcomes of the Review of Qualifications Reform at Level 3 in England.

This confirms which qualifications will be funded for 16–19 learners in England for the academic years 2025/26 and 2026/27.

We have updated our funding guide to reflect the latest guidance for academic years 2025/2026 and 2026/27.

Find out more and access the Funding Guide

To support your curriculum planning and guide you through these changes, we ran an event in January:

Access the recorded support event

New Podcasts for Units 3 and 5

To support teachers with preparing students for meeting the requirements of two of the BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts externally assessed units, we have released a brand new series of podcasts. I'm in conversation with the Lead Examiners for these units about ways to help students prepare to meet the demands of these units.

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

There are five episodes in conversation with Lead Examiner Fiona Dorman Jackson:

Part 1: Preparation for teaching Unit 3 

Part 2: Unit 3 Milestone 1 interpretation of the stimulus

Part 3: Unit 3 Milestones 2 and 3 the Development of creative ideas

Part 4:  Unit 3 The Performance

Part 5: Unit 3 Milestone 4 review and reflection 

Unit 5: Individual Performance Commission

There are four episodes in conversation with Lead Examiner Katie Berry:

Part one: Preparation for teaching Unit 5

Part two: Activity 1 the Written proposal 

Part three: Activity 2 the performance

Part four: Activity 3 the written evaluation

Coming soon: brand new exemplar work for these units

The National Plan for Drama

The Drama and Theatre Education Alliance (DTEA)  has been working to create a National Plan for Drama and Theatre Education. 

Towards a National Plan for Drama:

• Drama should be a discrete subject in all primary, secondary, SEND and alternative education settings with equal status to other arts subjects.
• Every child and young person should experience a weekly practical drama experience taught by teachers with relevant training.
• All children and young people should have access to co-curricular learning in terms of theatre visits, school plays, drama clubs and work with artists.
• Every child and young person should experience live professional theatre on an annual basis.

Read the draft proposal

Feedback by 10th Feb 25 to geoff.readman@btinternet.com and drsteveball@hotmail.co.uk

Support and contact

Please feel free to get in touch, if you require any help or support in the teaching and assessment of our performing arts courses.
You can access my contact details below.