A Q&A with Dulwich College, Singapore
- Written byKatrina Hegarty and Charlotte Martin, Dulwich College, Singapore
- Published date 10 June 2024
In April 2024, UAL Awarding Body Chief Examiner for Performing and Production Arts, Marc Mollica, visited our international centre, Dulwich College, Singapore. He was joined by SEM for Performing & Production Arts, Philip Watson-Smith, where they conducted CPD events on ‘programming a project-driven curriculum for performing arts’ and ‘implementing standards in UAL Performing Arts qualifications’. This visit was also an extremely useful way for us to see just how our qualifications work alongside the IB Career Related Programme (CP).
We reached out to Katrina Hegarty, the Director of Performing Arts, and Charlotte Martin, the IB Career-Related Programme Coordinator to find out more about the UAL Awarding Body visit, their highlights from the events, and to get more insight into how they are delivering our qualifications alongside the IB CP programme:
Please can you tell us a little bit more about the visit from UAL Awarding Body and what were your highlights from the CPD events that took place?
Meeting Phil and Marc in person was fantastic! It boosted our confidence in understanding the criteria and assessment processes, giving a sense of assurance. Exploring new samples together was a highlight, sparking insightful discussions. Additionally, crafting a comprehensive unit of work centred on Pantomime was made possible by the invaluable time spent together. Having them present allowed for quick clarification of minor queries that would have otherwise consumed significant email exchanges. Furthermore, delving into other available qualifications was enlightening, leading us to consider trialling the Level 2 Award next year.
What were the main things you took from the visit and that you are hopeful to implement into your next academic year?
Please can you tell us which UAL Awarding Body qualifications you deliver and what made you choose to teach these courses?
We've deliberately chosen UAL awards because they perfectly align with the diverse needs of all our students. Emphasising the journey of growth and development, these qualifications offer students considerable autonomy in presenting their work. This flexibility ensures that our programs remain dynamic and responsive to the ever-evolving educational landscape. Moreover, UAL awards seamlessly integrate with the unique personal pathways of each student within the performance and production arts realm.
Notably, these awards are finely tuned to equip students for professional industry engagement, setting them apart from more theoretical approaches like the IB Diploma Programme theatre course. For instance, within the UAL curriculum, I can directly support students in preparing for drama school auditions, whereas in the IB Diploma Programme theatre course, additional external assistance would be necessary. This distinction underscores the practical relevance and industry readiness inherent in UAL qualifications.
Why would you encourage other international centres to deliver our qualifications alongside the IB Career Related Programme?
Absolutely! I've been actively sharing our performances related to UAL and IBCP. Each time we engage with these programs, I make sure to post about it on LinkedIn and tag UAL. Leveraging platforms like ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) could significantly amplify our efforts in promoting this pathway and highlighting the connection with UAL qualifications.
Why do you value creative education and how do you think it helps students to develop both personally and academically?
Creative education equips our students with essential skills for thriving in the 21st Century. The versatility of performance skills prepares students for a vast array of professional opportunities. Moreover, nurturing student well-being is paramount in today's fast-paced world. A recent example of this was our UAL students' contribution to the creation of Broadway Nights, a spectacular event that brought immense joy, laughter, and standing ovations to our theatre. This experience not only exemplified well-being for all involved but also left indelible memories that will positively impact our students for a lifetime.
Learn more about UAL Awarding Body and the qualifications we offer:
UAL Awarding Body qualifications are a beacon of excellence, offering students the opportunity to excel in creative disciplines. International centres seeking to enhance their curriculum with robust, internationally recognised qualifications should look no further. From qualifications ranging from performing arts to media and art, UAL Awarding Body qualifications provide a pathway to success in the creative industries.
UAL Awarding Body offers qualifications in Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media Production and Technology, Music Performance and Production, and Performing and Production Arts.
We work with tutors, students and creative industry professionals to create outstanding qualifications - helping students progress to higher education or employment. Our qualifications are designed with education and industry partners, so they provide students with the latest knowledge and skills.
Whether your students are aspiring actors, musicians, filmmakers, or visual artists, UAL provides a structured, expertly crafted curriculum that fosters creativity, technical skills, and critical thinking. These qualifications are tailored to develop students’ individual talents and prepare them for life in the creative industries.
UAL Awarding Body qualifications have high retention and achievement rates, and educational institutes who work with us can benefit from:
- empowering qualifications that inspire educators
- adaptable qualifications that help students reach their potential
- access to our free events programme to help you make the most of our partnership.
We are also the UK's leading provider of the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.