Course Structure

The Acting Course has a full and varied programme of study. Classes include: voice, classical and modern text, physical theatre, movement for actors, acting for camera and film-making, acting study, improvisation, dance – which is streamed according to experience and ability, and singing.

A strong theatre company ethos is fostered as part of the Acting Course activities, and students participate in a variety of performances throughout the two years of study. Great emphasis is placed on these productions as they allow pupils to experience a range of different styles of theatre from Theatre in Education to an outdoor Shakespeare production in the summer term.

There are also two large scale productions in the Autumn term and the Tring Park Contemporary Theatre Festival when up to seven plays are performed over two weeks in March.

UAL Qualification

From September 2026, our Sixth Form Acting course is accredited by the University of the Arts London’s Level 3 Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. This qualification is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree-level study or employment in the performing arts.

Students require a minimum of four GCSE grades at grade C/4 or above to enter the qualification, which awards a Pass (36 UCAS points), Merit (60 UCAS points), or Distinction (84 UCAS points) after completion. The qualification is rigorously assessed through internal assessment and external moderation of the final major project.

The qualification will be delivered through eight units over a two-year period. Units will vary in length to ensure that the qualification reflects the school’s specialist vocational training:

• Units 1–4 link together to form a coherent pattern of teaching and learning, further enhancing their vocational training with contextual knowledge, allowing students to explore, enhance and sustain their creative development. The course will develop students’ understanding of the interrelated nature of the performing arts.
• Units 5–7 will require the student to apply their developed skills, knowledge and understanding in a series of more complex and demanding assignments in production and performance.
• Unit 8 requires pupils to work towards a collaborative performance project.

The qualification will enable students to:

1. Have a critical and contextual awareness of different perspectives and approaches within performing and production arts or related subjects of study or work
2. Research, analyse and evaluate relevant information and ideas in order to develop creative solutions
3. Understand, adapt and safely use appropriate and practical methods and skills for creative production
4. Solve complex problems through the application of practical, theoretical and technical understanding
5. Critically review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results
6. Use evaluative and reflective skills in order to take responsibility for one’s own learning, development and decision-making
7. Take responsibility for the research, planning, time management and actions to access progression opportunities
8. Effectively present themselves and their work to appropriate audiences.