All our projects offer the Arts Award, from Explore level through Bronze, Silver and Gold. The award is accredited by Trinity College London, with Silver carries 10 credits at Level 2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework – the same level as a GCSE grade A-C. The Gold award, at level 3 also carries 16 UCAS points towards applications to University (on the new 2017 tariff system) – the same as an AS-Level Grade B.
We use the award because it encourages young people to reflect on what they get out of participating. They have to share skills, review live events and do other research. For the Gold level young people have to run their own leadership project and take up volunteering or placements to get to know arts organisations.
In any one year we have up to 47 young people either working towards or achieving an Arts Award at Explore, Bronze or Silver level – and we currently have two young men working towards Gold.