Performing Arts; Level 3 BTEC; Extended Certificate

Applications open: 10 November 2025

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 x GCSEs Grade 4-9 including English. Maths desirable. Please see individual courses for subject entry requirements. Please visit our website for more information https://www.maplesden.kent.sch.uk/830/welcome

Subject Choices: - You will need to select a minimum of 3 subjects to study and these can be a mixture of A Levels and BTECs with SEFA and MWBA in addition to your full time studies.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

Students will take part in regular singing, dancing and acting lessons in which they will be prepared for the performing arts industry by performing regularly to live audiences. This course is equivalent to one A-Level.

The coursework, assessment and exams consist of:

• Research projects

• Workshops

• Rehearsals

• Performances

• Drama and Dance diary/log book/target setting/skills audits

Investigating Practitioners’ Work (Exam unit): Students will study two practitioners across the space of 6 weeks. The exam paper will give the students a theme and the students must link these two practitioners to the theme in an essay based format under controlled conditions. Students can choose to study dance practitioners or theatre practitioner’s

Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance: Students will study two performance pieces; 1) a pantomime and 2) students can choose either a drama scripted play or a dance professional work. Students will put the dance/play together and perform to an audience. Students will keep regular diaries, setting short and long term targets.

Group Performance Workshop (exam unit): Students will be given a stimulus and have to work in groups of 5 – 7 to devise or choreograph (depending on their subject choice) a performance based on a given stimulus (from the exam paper). Students will write about their journey of devising/choreographing.

Musical theatre: Students will take part in the school’s annual production. Students can audition to be a dancer or actor or Musical theatre lead role performer. This unit will also include a musical theatre research project and regular target setting and reviewing.

Students also have the opportunity to extend their learning by taking on LAMDA exams which can earn them extra UCAS points in acting, musical theatre and/or Public speaking. This is at an additional cost

Performance; Rehearsals; Workshops; Personal management; Log books/diaries/target setting/skills audits; Research projects

Maplesden is also in proud partnership with the Hazlitt theatre, Maidstone; the only school in Maidstone to have a professional working partnership with a theatre.

BTEC Drama/Dance Merit or Higher or 4-9 in GCSE Drama/Dance or by Audition . N.B: After school rehearsals will be required.