Sixth Form Curriculum

An average week includes classes in acting technique, voice, movement skills, improvisation and text work.

Students form small companies to complete performance-based projects that form the basis of their assessment. Recent pieces have included:

• Those Who Trespass by Matthew Dunster
• Pool (No Water) by Mark Ravenhill
• Education Education Education by The Wardrobe Ensemble
• Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

London theatre trips and workshops enhance the course, as do masterclasses and talks from industry professionals, including West End writers, directors and actors.

Full support is provided to students throughout the application and audition processes for further training, study or professional work.

Some Sixth Form graduates remain at ArtsEd to study on our degree course, many secure places at other leading drama schools and universities including RADA, RCSSD, LAMDA and Guildhall.

“All our teachers are experienced professionals in the arts, so they teach us about life after ArtsEd in a realistic way.”

-Sixth Form Student

ArtsEd has a long history of producing many of the UK’s leading musical theatre performers. Our BTEC in Musical Theatre has been designed to form the foundations of this training.

Students on this pathway rapidly develop the singing, dancing, and acting skills necessary to progress in this demanding genre. Training in each area quickly establishes the level of discipline required and gives students the opportunity to master techniques and gain full control of their performance skills.

Weekly classes include singing, acting, ballet, tap and jazz. These skills are assessed throughout the year in performance projects created by small companies of students.

The course is enhanced by regular theatre trips and workshops run by industry professionals, including music directors, choreographers and West End performers.

Full support is provided to students throughout the application and audition processes for further training, study or professional work.

Some Sixth Form graduates remain at ArtsEd to study on our degree course, many secure places at other leading drama schools including GSA, Mountview, RCSSD, LAMDA, Laine Theatre Arts and Urdang.

“Dance is really spectacular here. The teachers are able to support and push you at the same time”

– Sixth Form Student

BTEC Dance is an exciting and challenging course specialising in training and developing students for a career with Performing Arts, this includes Dance, Musical Theatre, Live Stage and Dance for Camera. Our tutors combine teaching expertise with extensive performing experience. This first-hand knowledge of the industry equips them to recognise and foster students’ individuality as performers whilst ensuring technical skills are mastered. We train students to become a triple threat but with the main focus on dance. We offer classes in Acting and Singing, delivered by the Acting and Musical Theatre specialists at ArtsEd.

Methods of assessment vary from project to project and can combine research, performance and reflective evaluation. This range reflects the vocational nature of the course and enables students of all learning styles to achieve the best of their ability.

We are looking for students that have a passion for Dance and performing arts, with a versatile skillset. Previous experience and training in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary are essential. Please visit our Instagram page to see some of our most recent performances.

The course is designed to prepare dancers for further training and the demands of the performing arts industry. Our success is demonstrated by an excellent track record of alumni going on to pursue dance at prestigious organisations. These include ArtsEd, Urdang, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Performers College, Emil Dale, Laine Theatre Arts, IAB, LIPA, and Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

A Level Fine Art teaches students to think creatively and communicate visually, equipping them with invaluable practical skills and artistic confidence.

Students experiment with a variety of media, creating artwork rooted in their experiences and emotions. Workshops during the initial stage of the course ensure students have an excellent skill base from which their individual artistic voice can flourish.

Visual Arts is a highly successful department with students consistently gaining high grades. Small class sizes ensure that all students benefit from extensive tutorial time and focused support from staff.

Drama is a creatively fulfilling and intellectually demanding subject that sits at the forefront of ArtsEd’s curriculum. Students hone and extend their individual performance skills during independent study, whilst ensemble work develops their understanding of what it takes to be an effective team player.

Students immerse themselves in a variety of different plays and practitioners, learning all the skills required to be both effective actors and directors.

Assessment is through performance, coursework and a final written examination. Examined plays are performed in professional working theatres, including The Lyric Hammersmith and The Chiswick Playhouse.

A Level History is a fascinating and challenging course. Students develop the analytical and critical skills that are essential to the discipline but also valuable in their development as thoughtful and informed citizens.

The course covers the Cold War and the Tudor period and, alongside historical knowledge, students gain an understanding of the historical process.

A challenging A Level subject, History is well regarded in university applications.

History of Art gives students the skills and critical vocabulary to analyse and interpret works of art and architecture from around the world. The course encourages candidates to develop their knowledge and understanding of the impact of artists, the relationship between society and art and how works are interpreted and evaluated then and now.

It is an exciting and varied subject which equips students with detailed analytical skills. It can lead to jobs in a range of areas such as gallery work, journalism, and PR.

Mathematics is a demanding and immensely rewarding subject at A Level. Students who enjoyed GCSE Mathematics and have a creative streak should certainly consider studying the subject at a higher level.

Mathematics A Level demonstrates an ability to problem solve and think logically, aptitudes admired by both universities and employers. Students with a grade 7 or above in GCSE Mathematics and a desire to stretch themselves and explore the subject in greater detail will find the A Level an engaging course of study.

Our Dance course allows students to develop their technical skill and artistic expression through performance, creation, exploration and discussion of their chosen art form.

The A Level Dance course is the perfect springboard for students hoping to pursue a career in dance and the performing arts. Students create and perform work whilst developing their knowledge of the many creative processes involved. Theoretical and practical classes, lecture demonstrations, discussion groups and theatre visits make up the core of the course, 50% of which is assessed in written exams.

Dance A Level is designed for students who are keen to learn about the world of dance and who enjoy working on both individual and collaborative choreography projects.

English Literature at A level is academically demanding and creatively stimulating. A range of prose, poetry and drama texts are studied and students learn to discuss, analyse and evaluate writers’ choices, drawing links across works, traditions and genres.

Discussion and debate about historical context and contemporary influences are key elements of the curriculum. English Literature sits very well with a performing arts course, providing an additional way to study storytelling and the development of narrative.

Film Studies explores the creative potential of film and active film making, exploring the relationships between films and the societies they portray. Students investigate US, British and world cinema covering major, mini-major and independent films.

The course explores social, historical and cultural films from a range of eras and includes in-depth analysis of critically acclaimed films, analysing performance, cinematography, sound, editing and mise-en-scène. Students also write, shoot, and direct their own short film projects.

A Level Music encourages students to combine imagination, talent and creativity with academic study, as they explore aspects of performance, composition and analysis.

Composition and performance coursework allows students to explore and develop their personal musical interests. The set works offer the opportunity to study a variety of musical styles including film scores, instrumental and vocal music, world fusion, jazz, pop and rock. This includes artists ranging from Sondheim to Beyoncé.

Photography is a challenging and dynamic A Level that encourages experimentation and inventiveness. Students explore a broad range of approaches as they develop and express their artistic vision.

At the outset of the course students are given starting points, or photographic projects, to explore independently. As the course progresses and students master the underlying technical elements of the medium, they have the freedom to explore their own projects in depth and develop their own photographic style. The resulting images are showcased in a final exhibition.

ArtsEd has a number of companies for Sixth Form students that want to act and perform to a high level, and have the commitment and energy to give 100% to the rehearsals, as well as the performances.

Entry to the companies is by audition and is open to all Sixth Form students.

Our companies are; ArtsEd Theatre Company, ArtsEd Musical Theatre Company, ArtsEd Acting for Screen Company and ArtsEd Dance Company.

Drama Opportunities include entry into competitions, recently the National Theatre Connections Programme, the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF) and the Independent and Schools Association (ISA) Drama Festival. These sit alongside opportunities offered by our own Acting Company and Musical Theatre Company.

One-to-one lessons for voice, and a wide variety of instruments are available. We work with a pool of experienced peripatetic teachers, many of whom also work with our degree students. The cost of these lessons is not included in the school fees.

Alongside LAMDA exams, we offer our Sixth Form students additional enrichment opportunities. These include BONUS, a programme for those who are conversationally fluent in French, Spanish, Russian or Italian; creative writing; play writing; and regular sessions offered by our specialist Sixth Form Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), focusing on writing and study skills. Students can also opt for additional dance classes, mindfulness sessions and workshops on acting for screen.