Year 9 - Choices

Expressive Arts

BTEC Choices

What is a BTEC?

A BTEC is a vocational course - which does mean work is mainly practical, but does contain some written elements.
Awarded in - Pass (C), Merit (B) and Distinction (A)
100% coursework - All work is important and is used as evidence to award you marks. All criteria must be completed to be given a unit grade.

Choosing the right BTEC

Choose the subject that you enjoy and participate in fully
Choose where your strengths lie
Choose for you and not your friends

BTEC Level 2 Certificate - Acting Performance Music

You will complete this course by the end of year 9 and can choose to continue studying to a higher level in year 10 and 11 or you can go on to choose different options at the end of year 9.

BTEC Level 2 Certificate Units to be extended in further study in Year 10

BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Art and Design

This course requires more hours per unit for completion and needs time for highly skilled pieces of work to be developed. Good quality art takes time.

2D Visual Communication
3D Vicual Communication

These units require the ability to explore and experiment with a range of materials, media and resources. You will be actively encouraged to develop work independently. Trips to north Yorkshire Sculpture Park and various art galleries in Manchester will enhance your learning and provide stimulus and resources for your work.

Is Art and Design for me?

Essential Skills	Desirable Skills
To show keen interest and enjoyment in the subject area	Good attendance
Willingness to do work in your own time or after school	Ability to focus on a piece of work for a long length of time
Willingness to explore and experiment with a range of techniques and processes	Willingness to talk about your own and others work sensitively and form personal opinion

BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts (Acting)

Unit B5: The Development of Drama
Unit A1: Working in the Performing Arts industry

These units provide students with an opportunity to experience a mix of practical techniques and theory based knowledge of acting and drama. You will be expected to create and perform practical work to small audiences and analyse and improve your work independently. Research into the acting/drama profession and different styles of drama will form the basis of most written work.

Is Acting for me?

Essential Skills	Desirable Skills
To show keen interest and enjoyment in the subject area	Confidence
Willingness to do work in your own time or after school and attend public performances	Ability to focus during your own and others practical work
Willingness to perform in front of audiences and help in creating practical work	Willingness to talk about your own and others work sensitively and be able to see where improvements can be made

BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts (Performance - Dance based)

Unit B5: The Development of Dance
Unit A1: Working in the Performing Arts industry

These units provide students with an opportunity to experience a mix of practical techniques and theory based knowledge of Dance and choreography. Your personal ability in dance will improve through technique sessions. You will be expected to create and perform practical work to small audiences and analyse and improve your work independently. Research into the Dance profession, the history of dance and the different styles of dance will form the basis of most written work.

Is Performance for me?

Essential Skills	Desirable Skills
Enjoyment in the subject	Confidence
Willingness to practice and have the desire to achieve individual potential	Ability to focus during your own and others practical work
Be able to perform in front of audiences and help in creating practical work	Willingness to talk about your own and others work sensitively and be able to see where improvements can be made
	Good attendance for group work

BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Music

Units for BTEC Music are chosen independently to match your skills and abilities, examples include:

Unit 4: Solo Musical Performance
Unit 12: The Development of Music
Unit 6: Working as a Musical Ensemble

These units will provide students with the opportunity to develop performance skills, both as individual and ensemble musicians. Students will also study the development of popular music and the music industry in general. You will be expected to be committed to learning an instrument or singing and to work effectively with other musicians.

Is Music for me?

Essential Skills	Desirable Skills
Enjoyment in the subject	Confidence
Willingness to practice and have the desire to achieve individual potential	Ability to focus during your own and others practical work
Be able to perform in front of audiences and help in creating practical work	Willingness to talk about your own and others work sensitively and be able to see where improvements can be made
	Good attendance for group work

What now?

A letter for your parents explaining the choices and a reply slip to bring back and hand in to student services.
You need to make a first and second choice, choose wisely you may get your second if numbers are high!
Choices need to be back no later than Wednesday 13^th July 2011. This means we will have time to process them and talk to you if there is a concern. If no reply slip is brought back your teachers might decide for you!