Evaluation

The purpose of the first three year evaluation was to discover if the Dance and Drama Awards was meeting its twin aims of increasing quality and improving access to the best possible performing arts vocational training. The evaluators were asked to provide information on:

• inputs, auditions, training and curriculum processes;
• access to training for students from all sectors of society - especially students from ethnic - minorities, students with disabilities, students from lower income families;
• qualifications achieved and destinations of students on courses supported by the Awards;
• the extent to which the training meets the needs of employers in the sector;
• skill shortages in the sector and the responsiveness of training providers in using the Awards to help address these.

Reports were produced at various points throughout the evaluation. This included 3 interim reports, two annual reports and a final report.

A copy of the final report can be downloaded by clicking on the link below:

 Final Report April 2003

A further evaluation to assess whether the Awards are meeting their objectives to support the continued development of policy and arrangements and to inform future spending review bids for the Dance and Drama Awards has been carried out. There is a need to build on the first evaluation and to work closely with DfES, LSC and the sector on areas identified as objectives for the medium term. In practice the role of the evaluators is to gauge the performance and progress of the scholarships, to work with DfES, intermediaries and the sector as consultants providing insight, guidance and recommendations for the continued development of the Awards. We are seeking to build a relationship with regular interaction between the evaluators and those managing and delivering the Awards. This will continue to further improve the schemes performance in relation to its primary purpose, which is:

• to support the continued growth and development of the dance and drama sectors by ensuring that the most talented students have access to high quality training which will prepare them for productive careers in the performing arts; and
• will contribute to inform future developments in the sector based on the effectiveness of the current scheme.

A copy of the 2006 Final Report and Technical Papers can be downloaded by clicking on the links below:

 Final Report August 2006

 Technical Paper 49

 Technical Paper 50

 Technical Paper 51

 Technical Paper 52

 Technical Paper 53

 IR2 Annex

LSC Performing Arts Mapping Project 2006-2007

Report by Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick.

In 2006, the LSC commissioned CEDAR to research and provide a report on the growth in the range and variety of post-16 routes into academic study and vocational training in the performing arts.

The primary purpose of this study was to map and compare the various routes into education, training and employment in the performing arts for post-16 learners. In particular the study aims to identify the particular characteristics of various streams of education and training offered in LSC funded institutions offering qualifications at Levels 3/4/5/6 (NQF).

Key finding of this study can be found in the summary below.

Click here to download the Summary of the LSC performing Arts Mapping Project