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. Literacy sits in using subject vocabulary, speaking and using voice in performance, working with others, and evaluating performances. Numeracy is light: keeping time, counting beats and ordering a sequence.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy 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 Measurement
-
Keeping time and ordering a sequence
Learners make a plan showing the order of actions, movements or sounds, and at Level 2 show effective timing and coordination. In practice this means counting beats, keeping a steady tempo and timing sections, which is light numeracy. Timing and sequencing are required by the assessment criteria, but no calculation is.
Numeracy: Strategic competence, Measurement
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils clap a rhythm in groups of four beats and count an eight count while learning a short dance phrase.
- Year 8
- Pupils order the sections of a group piece and time each one with a stopwatch so the whole piece lasts two minutes.
- Year 9
- Pupils plan a performance with sections measured in bars or counts, check the total running time and adjust sections to fit a three minute slot.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Entry Level, learning outcome 2, assessment criterion 2.2, page 5; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 3, assessment criterion 3.3, page 8; amplification, page 12
“Demonstrate effective timing, coordination, and awareness of others”
Progression step 3
I can prioritise and organise the relevant steps needed to complete the task or reach a solution.
I can carry out practical activities involving timed events and explain which unit of time is the most appropriate.
Progression step 4
I can prioritise and organise the relevant steps needed to complete the task or reach a solution.
Good to know
- The unit codes are S619E1, S619E2, S619E3, S619L1 and S619L2, and the overview lists "GLH 20" (Unit overview, page 3).
- Written work can be short: "extended written work is not required unless appropriate" (Sources of evidence, page 14), and reflection can be given "verbally or in simple written" form (amplification, page 12).
- 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).
- 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: "Incomplete or poor acknowledgement of AI tools" 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. Speaking clearly, reading scripts and evaluating performances support GCSE English Language and Literature. 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).