June 2025 BTEC Performing Arts update

• BTEC Key dates 2025
• All Set for 2025-26 online events
• BTEC Tech Awards - earlier release of Pearson Set Assignments  
• Higher Nationals in Performing Arts and Music 
• Nationals in Performing Arts examiner vacancies
• Facebook BTEC Performing Arts Sharing Best Practice 
• National Youth Monologues
• Peckham CPD
• Support and Contact

BTEC key dates 2025

In the second half of the summer term, we have the new PSAs being released for the Tech Awards, plus the deadline for submitting internally assessed unit grades for Nationals and Firsts.

All Set for 2025-26 online events

In September we will be offering some free online information and networking events to help you plan for the year ahead.

In the events we will:

• Reflect on the Summer exam series for external and internal components and units
• Look at the key events and up to date information for the new academic year 
• Share ideas, resources and approaches to teaching the components
• Have the opportunity to ask questions and network 

BTEC Tech Award  - earlier release of Pearson set assignments

PSAs will now be available three months earlier.

The new PSAs for the December/January 25/26 assessment series will be released on 3rd June.

We will release the PSA for the May/June 2026 assessment series on 1st September 2025.

The deadlines for submission of learner work will remain unchanged each series, and the updated release schedule will not affect learners who are currently completing a PSA this May/June 2025 series, working to a 15 May submission deadline.

Students can begin the assessment tasks once all the content for the component has been delivered and they are fully prepared to complete it. Teachers can schedule assessment any time after the PSA is released in each series. The approximate time states for the duration of each PSA has not changed, so students shouldn't be given more time to take the assessment just because the window has increased. Teachers can continue to teach the component content after the PSA is released, being mindful not to teach specifically to the context of the PSA.

Higher Nationals in Performing Arts and Music 

We are thrilled to announce the new Higher Nationals in Music and Performing Arts suite is now live!

We are grateful to all the centres, employers and industry specialists that have supported this development.

The new suite consists of 11 new qualifications ( HNC and HND) as follows: 

Acting 
Dance 
Directing 
Make Up and Hair Artistry 
Music Business 
Music Performance 
Music Production 
Musical Theatre 
Screenwriting 
Sound Engineering 
Technical Arts 

 The new suite will be available to deliver from Sept 2025, however, we strongly recommend you take your time to explore the new qualifications and deliver in 2026.
As a reminder, we are extending the current Music and Performing Arts qualifications to last registrations August 2026 to accommodate this.

An assessment and assignment guidance booklet will be published soon, with example assignment briefs.

Nationals in Performing Arts examiner vacancies

We are currently recruiting Examiners for the BTEC Nationals (Level 3) qualification. This is a part time role which will be completed at home, and in your own time.

We are looking for examiners for the following units:

Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners' Work

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

Unit 5: Individual Performance Commission

Unit 7: Employment Opportunities in the Performing Arts

Apply now

BTEC Performing Arts Sharing Best Practice Facebook page

We have a private space where ideas and resources for BTEC Performing Arts qualifications can be shared. There are over 2,400 members with daily posts and support available. 

Come and join us!

BTEC Performing Arts Sharing Best Practice

National Youth Monologues

This is an exciting opportunity this summer for 14-19 year olds.

Students can submit a solo monologue that fits one of the following :

• Contemporary – from a published play written in the last 70 years
• Classical – from an Elizabethan or Jacobean play (e.g. Shakespeare or his contemporaries)
• Screen – from a published film or TV script
• Original – written or devised entirely by the student 

For Years 10 & 11 (Ages 14–16) 
The monologue should be performed on video, and around 1.5 to 2 minutes in length

For Years 12 & 13 (Ages 16–19)
The monologue should be 2 mins in length.

Entry is free for any young person receiving Free School Meals. If selected for the Live National Final, students can also apply for a travel bursary to help cover the cost of getting to London for the event.

Closing date 16th June 2025.

National Youth Monologues

Teacher CPD in Peckham, London

As part of their 25th anniversary activity, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) is a hosting a one-of-a-kind CPD event bringing together teachers and leading theatre practitioners; Playful Spaces (Saturday 12 July in Peckham) will explore how creativity can re-energise teaching practice and reintroduce joy to the classroom.   

CSSF are looking for collaborators and offering sponsorship packages with the opportunity to receive tickets to attend Playful Spaces and other 25th anniversary activities. 

Contact their Programmes and Creative Lead: Maddie.short@coramshakespeareschools.org.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.