mvnorwood Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Hi All, I know this post may be a little OT for this forum but I'm sure many of you will have directly relevant experience. You may have seen my previous post about coming up with some ball park figures to bid for some money for a new studio space. I have just been asked by the head today if I can suggest some accreditation routes which would need these facilities (ie a properly equipped drama studio) The idea is that other organisations with poor facilities (eg local FE college) might teach in this space using its specialist facilities. Can anyone suggest courses, probably post 16 but maybe pre-16, which have the option of a technical element? A long time ago I used to teach the old BTEC Performing Arts which I believe has become BTEC Drama so will look at that syllabus first. Many years ago the A level Theatre Studies course had a technical option for the practical exam so I will also look at that. I'm also interested in any FE courses (or pre-16 but I think thats unlikely) which are entirely technical. Basically I need to be able to write something along the lines of "This studio will be/could be used to deliver the X or Y or Z courses" Any suggestions at all will be really appreciated.Mark NorwoodBlueprint Short Stay School Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Hmmm... Again, this all seems a little (no, a LOT) back to front. "OK, we've built and equipped our new fangled educational space... Now - what can we use it for...???" Surely the better idea would be to first look at a) the course options available, b) whether there is a likely take up for said courses amongst those students likely to be interested over the coming years and THEN c) look at the physical kit installation etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 BTEC Performing Arts still has a tech element, or can have. There is the BTEC production/technical course. GCSE drama I dont know, I know it once did, about I assume it might still exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiLL Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Students at GCSE these days can choose to take a technical option such as set, lighting, sound or costume design, or even prop making instead of specialising in acting in one of their exam pieces. It is something which my school manages to offer to it's students, normally in a year group of 40 GCSE students we will have about 3-5 taking a technical option. However this is something we don't just 'tack on'. Exam questions over the last few years have included questioons about design and technical theatre so it is something which is very much an integral part of the course. It includes introductory lectures, hands on sessions and technical analysis lessons after a trip to see live theatre productions as well as the specialising students getting a lot more one-on-one time with the technicians to guide their exam work. We've enjoyed a great deal of success with our technical students over the last few years, often with them going on to take technical options at AS level and A level so it is something I would recommend, although only if you feel you can give them the specialised support they need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 There are many 'flavours' of BTEC now - at Level 2, it's common to pick a pathway that appeals and then select appropriate units - at Level 3 you initially need to select Performing or Production Arts, then pick the pathway that suits. At Level 3 this does cause a bit of a problem, if somebody wishes to do a bit of performing AND production. There is still a system that allows a centre to put together a 'unique' version of the qualification, subject to a little extra paperwork, but your Edexcel Area Manager will be able to talk you through it. The BTEC system does not have options. Each unit is a proper, stand-alone unit with full credit in UCAS terms. GCSE and A Level have options - thin and very shallow so called technical options, designed to be delivered by an unskilled typical teacher. With a BTEC production unit, it is assumed the teacher knows what they are doing, because the kids are assessed on what they really can do - and if they cannot evidence it, they don't get the grade. If you want to contact me off-forum, feel free - I kind of do this sort of thing quite often. Edexcel will also provide you with customised training if it's all new to you, carried out be exceedingly nice people who simply need chocolate biscuits to keep going as long as you like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Mark, like I said earlier today we do a gcse in performing arts in a year, which can be done purely as tech and is far more in depth than tech options in gcse drama. The AS and A2 performing arts courses have a similar option but more design based than practically doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechOllie Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I have heard that a new diploma in theatre tech has been released this year. I believe that ranges for people between the ages of 13-17. Try googling that, I have heard some good things about it already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxjones2000 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I'm not sure whether its what your looking for, but currently, I do an OCR Performing Arts A-Level, that has many elements/specialisms (you pick one or two and then spend 99% of year doing that one - including developing the skill) including: Drama; dance; music; lighting (obviously the best one!); sound; sound production; stage management; Set & Costume design; music technology and many more. Its not great but its quite good to have as an 'easier' A-level - gives a break from Chemistry and Maths! the website:http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/...ents/index.html The specification (technical is about 1/2 way down page 13):http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/kd/ocr_2419...e_2009_spec.pdf Hope this helps, Best Regards,Max J edit:Oh and what Paulears said is right: this type of qualification has no specialised/trained teacher for technical, so (for me at least) you have to do 99.9% of the work and learning at home teaching yourself, or as I found going on this forum is invaluable and volunteering at a theatre is good work and learning too (you would not believe how much I have learnt over the last 2 weeks from doing 2 shows!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I have heard that a new diploma in theatre tech has been released this year. I believe that ranges for people between the ages of 13-17. Try googling that, I have heard some good things about it already. Theatre Technology is one of the pathways I mentioned above - It's full title is one of these:Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Production Arts (Theatre Technology) 30 CreditsEdexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Production Arts (Theatre Technology) 60 Credits The 30 credit qualification is roughly the same equivalence, hours and points wise to an AS Level, the Subsidiary Diploma is the same as the old 'Award' - and is the same as a full A Level. This particular title isn't available in the full time programmes, as the unit quantity goes up extending the study areas out of just the technology area - for what it's worth, the old National Diploma is the new Extended Diploma, and the old National Certificate is now the new Diploma. Very confusing, but really it's just a name change to bring qualifications names together so a 'Diploma' is the same credit value from all the providers. The actual BTEC units that started this September are all on the new system. People in the second year of a two year programme are finishing off the old one. As the content is very similar to the old one, nothing really has changed apart from a bit of bringing up to date and making sure a bit more quality is directed at the paperwork as well as the end product. In practice it means that students carry on as normal, but the grades you get are scrutinised by at least two other people, one of which has received training and testing in their grading quality. Probably not welcomed that much by the staff, it promises to be an interesting year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvnorwood Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 Once again I am indebted to the forum for your input on this. The pointers both on forum and via PM have been sooo useful enabling me to list both generalist and specialist courses both pre and post 16 which could use the facility. I completely agree that this is all a bit back to front and should have had much more time and careful planning. However as anyone familiar with the public sector will know sometimes you have to make a sudden grab for funding within a tiny time frame. 'Get it while you can' seems to be the approach! Particularly big thank you to J Pearce for all your help yesterday. We wait with fingers crossed to see if the money comes through. Best w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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