November 2025 BTEC Performing Arts update
Welcome to this November 2025 update with all the latest news on our BTEC Performing Arts qualifications.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions using my details below.
In this update you will find information on:
- Post 16 Level 3 and below White Paper
- New sample sizes for moderated components
- BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints
- BTEC Higher Nationals Creative Suite new resources
- Nationals Unit 3 Sample Marked Learner Work
- New ESMs for Tech Award Components 1 and 2
- CSMs for Level 3 Performing Arts courses
- Centre support request
- Technology and assessment practices for vocational qualifications
- BTEC Performing Arts Sharing Best Practice Facebook page
- Support and Contact
Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper
On 20 October, the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, setting out significant reforms to vocational education in England. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students, and we want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.
What it means for you
You should continue to register students and deliver your programmes as planned in 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.
As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.
What does the White Paper propose?
The government has announced plans to introduce "V Levels" as a new vocational qualification pathway at level 3, sitting alongside A levels and T Levels. These qualifications aim to simplify the current vocational landscape and will be designed to be similar in size to A levels, allowing students to combine vocational and academic study more flexibly.
The government has opened the consultation to test the key design principles of V Levels, and new qualifications at level 2 that sit alongside GCSEs. It invites views on size and subject areas, information advice and guidance, new T Levels, level 2 qualifications and pathways, non qualification activities, the transition plan, the co-design approach to setting content, and qualification branding. The deadline for responses in 12 January 2026.
New sample sizes for moderated components
From the January 2026 series, we’ll be asking you to submit a slightly larger sample size for moderation in Project qualifications and BTEC Tech Awards.
From June 2026, this approach will also apply to GCSE, International GCSE, A level and Entry Level Certificate qualifications.This change is designed to make moderation smoother and reduce the need for additional sample requests later in the year.
BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints
We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26. While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when
BTEC Higher Nationals Creative Suite
New teaching resource has been published on HN Global to suport delivery of the new Higher National Music and Performing Arts Suite, which includes example assignment briefs:
Assessment and Assignment Guidance Booklet for the Higher National Diplomas in the Creative Suite
New training dates have now been launched – book your place now!
Introduction to the new Higher Nationals in Performing Arts Suite: Nov 25th
Introduction to teaching and assessing the new Creative Arts Suite: Nov 27th
Reminder: These qualifications are available for delivery from September 2025. However, we recommend using the 2025–26 academic year to explore the content in depth and consider delivering from 2026 for the best onboarding experience. If you're an existing centre, you’ll receive auto-approval, and the new qualifications will be added to your portfolio. If you're looking to deliver a new subject area, this will require a new approval.
For approval support, contact our Quality Assurance team at hnqa@pearson.com.
Register your interest in delivering the new qualifications
Pearson Set Reminder
As part of the move to the updated structure for the full Higher Creative Suite – including Art, Design, Media, Performing Arts, and Music – please note that there are no longer any Pearson Set units in these qualifications.
The last published Pearson Set themes remain valid and can be used until the end date of each existing qualification.
New Tech Award Exemplar Standardisation Materials
We have new exemplars for Components 1 and 2 available.
Component 1
High marks - Musical Theatre (Singin' in the Rain)
Medium marks - Acting (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time)
Low marks - Dance (& Juliet)
Component 2
High marks - Acting (Blood Brothers)
Medium marks - Costume Design (Les Miserables)
Low marks - Dance (All That Jazz)
Centre support request
Are there any schools local to Wolfreton / in the East Yorkshire area that are currently offering the BTEC Performing Arts-Dance courses at KS4 and KS5?
Rosie Weatherill at Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College would like to collaborate with other centres to see delivery and share knowledge.
If you're interested, please get in touch:
rweatherill@wolfreton.co.uk
Technology and assessment practices for vocational qualifications
We’d love to hear how your centre uses digital tools, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), and how you manage assessment for BTECs and Functional Skills Qualifications.It helps us understand what works best for you today, and make sure future developments are designed around your needs. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and every response helps shape what comes next.
Deadline 30th November 2025.
Do you teach any of our BTEC Performing Arts or Production Arts courses?
Then this group was made for you. It’s a friendly, professional space where you can share ideas, swap tips, and ask those everyday teaching questions.
Whether you're after inspiration or support, this is a great place to collaborate with others and get the latest news.
Subject advisor
Paul Webster
Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts
