2 Year Sixth Form in Creative & Performing Arts (RSL Extended Diploma Level 3)

Why study performing arts at school

when you can train at drama school?

With a successful, highly respected drama school based at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, you can train in a working theatre where professional performance happens every day.

We are thrilled to offer a DfE-funded, two-year Creative & Performing Arts course for students aged 16–19 who are ready to develop their passion further. Equivalent to an Extended BTEC or three A-Levels, this RSL Extended Diploma is a highly practical Level 3 qualification with no written exams. Designed and delivered in a conservatoire-style setting, the course allows students to train in a combination of acting, singing and musical theatre or to focus primarily on acting, just as they would at drama school.

As a small, specialist drama school, we offer an immersive traning experience with an individual approach. The course runs Monday to Wednesday, 9.15am–4.30pm, based at Lighthouse, the largest arts centre outside London. This means students train in a professional venue, surrounded by working artists, productions, and creative projects. Over the years, our students have taken part in professional productions, industry workshops, Q&A sessions and collaborative projects as well as enjoying some free access to a wide range of live performances.

If you’ve finished compulsory education and want a course that is 100% focused on Performing Arts, this programme is designed for you. Whether your ambition is to progress to leading drama schools such as RADA, Royal Central, Rose Bruford, GSA, Italia Conti or Emil Dale, or you’re still exploring your future, this course gives you an authentic taste of professional drama school training. University pathways are fully supported too, including UCAS guidance but studying this extended diploma does not limit you in your future progression should you decide to pursue an alternative subject at higher education level.

With acting at the heart of everything we do, we are proud to be the only drama school in the South offering this unique opportunity. Training is project-based and performance-led, with around three public performances each year at Lighthouse’s Sherling Studio. Written work is minimal and reflective in nature, with no written exams, and all assessments are carried out internally with moderation by RSL.

What truly sets us apart is not only our extensive professional experience, but our commitment to preparing students for the realities of drama school and the word beyond from creating professional CVs and audition preparation to working directly with experienced industry professionals.

This is not just a course — it’s your first step into the performing arts industry.

Performance

Throughout the course you will rehearse three invited audience performances.

*number of performances per year can be subject to change

Faculty

You will be regularly taught by several teachers and coaches at DSA who have trained at places such as Rose Bruford, East 15 and Urdang. Their professional work ranges from both national and international, West End, off West End, touring, TV, film and some have their own successful theatre companies.

Fees

All fees for this course are funded by the DfE for those aged 16-19 years only.  Funding only applies if you are a UK national or have dual nationality within the UK.  In order to secure funding for the 2nd year, students will need to be 16, 17 or 18 years at the beginning of the 1st year of the course even if a student is 19 years at the start of the 2nd year of the course.  Each application is at the discretion of the school and we can accept applications from those aged 19 years and over but fees will need to be paid by the individual. This will be around £5000 per year (this is subject to change in line with each year of funding).

There is a compulsory fee of £75 per year to cover theatre visits which are essential for the development of students both artistically and academically.  This can be paid as a one-off fee each September or can be split into installments however installments will be subject to a 7.5% admin fee and will be collected by direct debit.  Students from low income households can apply for a bursary via LeAF Studio directly on 01202 578886.

The only other costs to be aware of include, uniform – minimum 1 x t-shirt + 1 x sweater – and such things as stationary & scripts.  Students are required to wear comfortable clothing and shoes such as joggers/leggings and trainers.

Entry & Application Information

Age for entry: 16-18 yrs.

There are 2 main entry requirements:

1. Minimum of 5 GCSE’s grade 4 to include English or Maths or both.  As students are requirement to gain both English and Maths GCSE, you will be required to take any necessary resit classes and exams which will be held at LeAF studio.
2. You need a strong track record in attendance & punctuality.

Entry onto the 2 year Vocational Sixth Form in Acting requires you to complete our online application followed by a video audition –  the video audition will be arranged with our administrator by email once the application is received. You will be asked to perform:

• 2 contrasting monologues – 1 contemporary (post 1980) & 1 classical (600 BC – 1800 AD) both performed by memory.  We will not accept any reading from scripts.

 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

RSL

RSL is a major international awarding body that creates and certifies qualifications in contemporary music, performing arts and creative industries, offering graded exams, diplomas, and vocational qualifications in areas like guitar, vocals, acting, dance, and music production, regulated by UK bodies like Ofqual. They provide industry-relevant assessments and resources used globally in over 50 countries for learners and teachers. 

The RSL (Rockschool Ltd) Extended Diploma in Creative & Performing Arts is a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to 3 A-Levels) that provides vocational training in Acting, Dance or Musical Theatre, developing industry-relevant skills for progression to HE or careers in the arts, focusing on practical performance.

www.rslawards.com