March 2025 BTEC Performing Arts update

• Tech Award Exemplars
• Tech Award Component 3 training events
• Tech Award Key dates
• BTEC Nationals updated ASGs
• Summer 2026 Provisional Timetables
• Higher Nationals in Performing Arts update
• Podcasts for Units 3 and 5
• 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 high scoring acting work, a medium mark response for dance and a low mark example for production design.

Tech Award Component 3 training events

We have a free online training event for Component 3: Responding to a Brief this term. Hope you can join us.

If you do have any questions about Component 3, please feel free to get in touch with me - my contact details at the bottom of this page. 

Tech Award key dates

BTEC Nationals updated ASGs

We've updated all four BTEC Nationals Administrative Support Guides to provide clarification on the use of a spellchecker and guidance on links to drives.

Administrative Support Guides

Summer 2026 Provisional Timetables

The Provisional timetables for Summer 2026 are now available on our Provisional timetables web page.

Summer 26 provisional timetables

We would appreciate your feedback on BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts timetabling - please use this form to do so. Closing date is 14th March 2025.

BTEC Nationals Performing Arts timetable survey

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

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

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

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.