Students in UAE can now earn BTEC Level 3 qualification in performing arts

Dubai: For the primary time, college students within the UAE will have the ability to earn a BTEC Stage 3 qualification in performing arts for college admission or employment within the performing arts sector.

A partnership between Dubai Performing Arts Academy (DPA) and Taaleem, a number one UAE college group, presents the worldwide qualification, awarded by UK-based Pearson Schooling and recognised regionally by the Data and Human Improvement Authority (KHDA) in Dubai.

BTEC stands for Enterprise and Expertise Schooling Council, and its Stage 3 is equal to 2 A-Ranges — the UK-based worldwide school-leaving {qualifications} accepted by main universities globally. The BTEC Stage 3 is often taken by college students of their last two years of highschool. DPA, which has over 500 college students in its first-ever cohort, will see its college students start their second yr in September, and purposes are actually open for its second cohort.

DPA principal Lisa Scott-Lee, a member of the UK pop group ‘Steps’, stated the BTEC presents avenues for kids inclined in direction of performing arts. “Every child has something special and unique to offer. That may be in the academic sense, or it may be in the creative arts; they may be a talented artist, they may be a beautiful singer, and they may express themselves through dance and movements. So I do think it’s very important that each child has the opportunity to shine, to grow and to feel happy and supported.”

A number of the DPA college students are doing an prolonged BTEC in performing arts along side their A-Ranges, she added. The course is open to all college students, no matter what curriculum they're learning at college. “So I would say it’s also for children that would like to have a higher education, and are interested in the performing arts”.

DPA says the multidisciplinary course explores “all elements” of the Theatrical Arts, designed to arrange learners for additional examine and careers within the performing arts trade. Learners partake in sensible classes with trade professionals exploring completely different genres of appearing, singing and dance. Candidates can select to focus their examine on an space of non-public curiosity, together with musical theatre, dance and appearing.

Scott-Lee stated BTECs and performing arts can increase the admission prospects of college candidates. “Universities like to obviously know the academic side of the student, but also they want to know what their passions are, what their hobbies are. And I think, to show that a student or a child is well-rounded, it just adds so much to that person; because [performing arts] takes commitment. It shows great character when a student is well-rounded and has lots of interests,” she added.

Alongside Scott-Lee, DPA and the Stage 3 course can also be led by Johnny Shentall, an expert singer, dancer and choreographer, who was a member of the British pop group ‘Hear’Say’. Shentall, who's married to Scott-Lee, made his London’s West Finish theatre debut within the unique West Finish forged of ‘Footloose’. The duo moved to Dubai a decade in the past and in 2014 based DPA, which additionally performs on the QE2 ship docked in Dubai, in addition to in Dubai Opera and different theatres.

DPA is situated at Dubai British Faculty Jumeirah Park (DBSJP), a Taaleem college in Dubai, the place college students — from DBSJP, DBS Emirates Hills in addition to different faculties outdoors Taaleem — are taught in amenities with entry to a 500-seat theatre, 4 dance studios, a recording suite, radio studio and a purpose-built Sixth Type hub. A restricted variety of scholarships can be found for the upcoming new educational yr.

Rebecca Coulter, Vice Principal, DBSJP, stated: “DPA has an excellent reputation in Dubai, and Lisa and Johnny are both well known internationally for their successes on the stage. We wanted to provide our students with a performing arts experience that transcended the normal classroom one and gave them access to world-class, industry-relevant provision and professionals.”

Coulter added: “Our performing arts programmes not only provide students with routes through GCSE, A-Level and BTEC qualifications, but give them real-world experience of the profession and guidance through industry-related qualifications like the ‘Trinity’ and ‘LAMDA’ courses.”