Pearson BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice: December 2025 update

In this update

Curriculum and Assessment Review

Music and Drama Education Expo

Sample size for internally assessed components

Key dates

Curriculum and Assessment Review

We are now waiting as the Government hold consultations on some of the points raised from the final outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Government response to the CAR.

When we have updates and further news we will share them.

Music and Drama Education Expo

Come and see us at the Music and Drama Education Expo! The Expo is being held at the Business Design Centre, London on 12 and 13 February 2026. Registration is free and you can book your place online. We will have stand B90 at the Expo. If you've got any questions or want to chat about the future of Music qualifications please come and see us. 

I will also be delivering a session with Paul Webster at 10.15am on Thursday 12 February at the Expo in the Exhibitor Showcase Theatre. The session topic is The future of Key Stage 4 and 5 qualifications in Music, Drama and Performing Arts.

Register for the Music and Drama Education Expo

Sample size for internally assessed components

From the January 2026 series, we’ll be asking for a larger sample size when moderating internally assessed work for BTEC Tech Award qualifications.
The deadline to submit learner marks and samples for this series is the 15 December 2025.

We’re making this change because, from time to time, moderators need to request additional samples to complete their moderation. When these requests come later in the year, we know it can be challenging for you to manage alongside the demands of a busy series.

By asking for a slightly larger sample upfront, we aim to make the process smoother and reduce the likelihood of additional requests later on. This should help us complete moderation more efficiently, and give you and your students greater clarity and confidence in the outcomes. This process will not affect the way in which moderators currently review the sample, and they will only look at additional samples of work where needed. 

*You must also include the highest and lowest marked students, if they have not already been selected in your sample.

Key dates