Committed to providing diverse and meaningful learning opportunities to students in the Middle East, Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA)haslauncheditsBTEC International Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts for students aged 14 – 16. With several other schools in the UAE offering Level 3, SPAA’s BTEC Level 2 certificate, awarded by UK-based Pearson Education, is the first of its kind in the region.

SPAA is providing a unique opportunity for secondary school-aged students to pursue their love of performing arts and gain a BTEC Level 2 qualification while continuing their existing studies at school. Young performers will be taught professional development and acting skills, while also providing them with an insight into a career in the performing arts industry. Diverse and flexible to suit the needs of the students, the BTEC Level 2 will be delivered after school and on weekends in the Academy’s state-of-the-art studios and theatres.

There are also future opportunities for students to engage in the course through SPAA’s BTEC partner schools, which will allow young performers to take part in the course at school as part of the school’s enrichment programme.

Students will experience a dynamic hands-on, practice-based learning style, and throughout the course they will work on a series of real-life scenario assignments. This immersive learning environment allows students to develop the practical knowledge and skills that employers and universities around the world look for in creative students.

The BTEC International Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts is led by Guildford School of Acting (GSA) graduate, affiliate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD), and the only registered teacher of all four disciplines(Ballet, Modern, Tap and National)in the UAE, MsLynne Holloway.

“Offering a BTEC Level 2 at SPAA is just another way that we can provide local learning initiatives for global opportunities,”Ms Holloway said. “We really see this course as part of our ecosystem here at SPAA, bridging the gap and blending studies from our weekend Children and Young Performers classes through to our BA programmes. A career in performing arts is creative, fun and galvanising – it’s something that we all need right now.”

Ms Holloway leads a team of performing arts professionals who teach practical acting methods and techniques for students to develop skills in creativity and performance. After completing the course, students will be able to progress their skills further with a BTEC Level 3, as well as a BA degree in Performing Arts or related fields at SPAA, such as a BA in Musical Theatre or Production Arts.

Equivalent to two IGCSE grades A-C, the BTEC course allows students with an interest in performing arts to explore the profession further and really delve into everything the industry has to offer.

Admission for BTEC International Level 2 Certificate in Performing Artsis now open. For more information about the course, fees and commencement dates, please email: BTEC@spaa.ae