Skills for Life: Music, Dance and Drama
Music, Dance and Drama is a Skills for Life unit in which learners explore elements, techniques and styles in one or more of music, dance or drama, plan a performance, perform it with others to an audience, and reflect on what worked. It is one 20 hour unit that learners combine with others into a Skills for Life or Skills for Work Award, Certificate or Diploma, from Entry 1 to Level 2. Digital demand is low because the criteria are practical and none requires technology. Digital work sits in making a written or storyboard plan, recording performances on video to watch back and evaluate, and optional tools such as BandLab.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of digital work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Four learning outcomes covering basic elements of music, dance or drama, planning a simple performance, taking part in a simple performance, and reflecting on it. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Four learning outcomes covering elements, techniques and styles, planning and developing a performance, performing effectively, and reflecting on and evaluating performances. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
Skills that use Evaluating and improving digital content
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Recording performances and using playback to evaluate
The pack suggests recording rehearsals and performances, then watching them back to identify strengths and areas for improvement, which supports the reflection criteria at every level. Evaluating strengths and improvements is required, but using recordings to do it is only suggested.
DCF: Evaluating and improving digital content
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils film a 30 second freeze frame sequence on a tablet, watch it back and say one thing that went well.
- Year 8
- Pupils record a rehearsal, add timed comments to the video in a shared folder, and pick two moments to improve.
- Year 9
- Pupils compare recordings of two rehearsals of the same piece and write an evaluation of what changed and what to improve next.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Suggested activities, pages 13 to 14; Sources of evidence, page 14; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 4, page 8
“recording performances and using playback to evaluate strengths and areas for improvement”
Progression step 3
I can invite feedback/responses from others, e.g. use 'comment' in online platforms, asking questions or adding suggestions.
Progression step 4
I can suggest and make improvements that are relevant for audience and purpose, based on feedback and self-evaluation of my digital work.
Good to know
- The unit codes are S619E1, S619E2, S619E3, S619L1 and S619L2, and the overview lists "GLH 20" (Unit overview, page 3).
- Centres "may require access to a studio or hall, instruments or playback, and optional props/costumes and simple recording tools" (Resources required for delivery, page 15).
- Performances are usually evidenced on camera: sources of evidence include "photographs or video clips of learners performing music, dance, or drama pieces" (Sources of evidence, page 14), and the portfolio "is not limited to paper-based materials" (Skills for Life and Work specification, section 4.1, page 18).
- Suggested assessment tasks "are not mandatory", and teachers may adapt them or devise their own (Skills for Life and Work specification, section 4.1, page 18).
- AI tools may be used only if acknowledged: "Copying or paraphrasing sections of AI-generated content" so the work is no longer the learner's own is malpractice (Skills for Life and Work specification, section 4.6, page 21).
Links with other qualifications
Music, Dance and Drama links directly to GCSE Music, GCSE Dance and GCSE Drama, and the pack names the VCSE in Performing Arts and the VCSE and Foundation qualifications in Creative and Media Production and Technology as related WJEC qualifications. Recording and editing performances links to GCSE Digital Media and Film. Within the Skills Suite the pack names Arts and crafts, Digital film and media, Exercise for all, Mental health and wellbeing, and Interview and confidence techniques as units that can be delivered alongside it.
Source: WJEC Music, dance and drama unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).