The new Performing Arts specification for AS/A Level provides you, the candidate with the opportunity to develop your practical and analytical skills in the three art forms: Dance, Drama and Music.

This A Level course is a natural progression from GCSE Drama or any of the Expressive arts qualifications (although this is not a pre-requisite}. It is excellent preparation for students wishing to enter higher education or employment in the general field of performing arts. It is an exciting and challenging course with a good academic backbone and a thorough basic training in performance technique.

The course consists of 6 units: three units including a coursework unit for AS Level, followed by a further three for an A Level.

Unit 1	The Language of Performing Arts
	This unit covers the main elements of Music, Dance and Drama and the ways in which they may work together. You would be required to devise and perform in four short pieces, one in each of Dance, Music and Drama and a further piece that makes creative links between the art forms.
	Assessment: coursework essay of 2,000 words.
Unit 2	Contextual Studies One
	In this unit you will study two areas of the performing arts in depth. Usually Dance and Drama. Within each chosen area you would study one work in depth and this will be carefully selected to demonstrate a particular practitioner's output. For example, Bertolt Brecht's play, Mother Courage for Drama and Strange fish, a choreography by DV8 for Dance.
	Assessment: Question Paper (Two hours)
Unit 3	Performance Realisation
	This is your chance to show the examiners the practical skills you have acquired over the first year of study. From memory you will perform; one extract from a work set for Unit 2 and one devised piece based on techniques you have studied from Unit 2.
	Assessment: Visiting Examiner
Unit 4	Community Performance Project
	Working on groups you devise and perform a piece that grows from research into a community-based historical story or situation. This piece must combine two of the art forms and be performed in the local community.
	Assessment: Written commentary of 3000 words
Unit 5	Contextual Studies Two
	A development of Contextual Studies One.
	Assessment: Question Paper (Two hours)
Unit 6	Student Devised Performance
	Your final chance to impress the examiners! Thus unit provides you with the opportunity to devise and create your own original work that explores techniques and approaches learned during the course.
	Assessment: Visiting Examiner