QCA has worked with the regulatory authorities for Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) to revise GCE AS/A levels. In carrying out this work, they aim to improve the quality of assessment at A level.

They have produced draft criteria for consultation and wish to receive the professional views of key stakeholders on them.

Please select the appropriate download from the right-hand side of the page to view GCE AS/A level qualification criteria and/or the specific subject criteria that interest you. Then select the appropriate questionnaire below to take part in the online consultation.

http://www.qca.org.uk/12086_16132.html

Trestle Theatre now host their newsletter online. Find it here: http://www.trestle.uk.com/newsletter.asp

You may have read reports in the press about the future of the Theatre Museum. This is in light of the HLF's decision not to fund a capital project at the Russell Street site. For example,

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/11830

Whilst no decisions have yet been made, a potentially alarming proposal is that the education activities move to the V&A at South Kensington. Some 20,000 students a year study at the Museum and research has shown that a major reason for attendance is the central, West End location in the heart of Theatreland, allowing students to visit theatres and study live productions.

This would not be easily replicated at South Kensington, which lacks sufficient space for the practical exploration of Drama and Theatre.

If you feel strongly about this there is a specific area for teachers' views on their website:

http://theatremuseum.org/news_and_views/forum.php?

The SINNER Education Pack was launched in February 2006. This is a comprehensive 50 page Education Pack and is now available to educationalists, venues and students.

The comprehensive pack covers topics including:
• Company Background & Individual biographies
• Original Ideas and Research for Sinner
• In depth information about our rehearsal methods and schedules
• Further reading and references
• Background Information about the nail bomber and the core themes and issues the piece is based around
• Practical Physical Theatre Workshop Ideas
• Themes for Discussions and Talks
• Accompany notes to read alongside and contextualise the full play text.

This 50 page pack, written by Liam Steel and Stan Won’t Dance is full of supporting images.

The play text of Sinner has also been published by Oberon Books and is available to accompany the pack (Sinner play text: ISBN: 1-84002-498-4)

For further information on our education pack email: educationpack@stanwontdance.com.

The Sinner Education Pack was part funded by the Arts Council England.

Drama Conference organised by Hertfordshire LEA for Drama teachers.
Liz Jones Eng/Drama advisor is offering a special price of £20 for PGCE students.

Details are as follow:
16th March 2006
Watford Palace Theatre 9.30 - 3.30pm

Hands on workshops in directing, devising, lighting and sound, keynote speaker Patrice Baldwin, Chair of National Drama.

Anyone interested in attending telephone 01582 830215
or email Linda Rowan.

I have received this from Fabrice Raina, president of Auteurs de L'Ombre and Cultural Office Manager for The Castellane Centre:

The Worldwide Week Of Playwrights will take place from march 20th to march 27th 2006. You can follow the essential part of the programs through the live stream on http://www.auteursdelombre.org/ (presently under construction) and http://www.cs-lacastellane.com . Most of the content will be live-recorded and uploaded via our WebTV, with reruns every morning thereafter. Some content will be transmitted in differed times. We propose this year again, to all playwrights, theater and cultural structures which cannot transmit their videos, lectures or debates in a live manner, to indicate us the links to their recorded footage (extracts or complete recordings of their works) in order for them to benefit freely of the tens of thousands of internet viewers across the world. You may also send us the physical video sources, with a written authorization for their transmission, for us to upload to our website during the week of demonstration at the following address: AEC La Castellane / 216, boulevard Henri Barnier 13016 Marseille France.

You are still in time to inform us of your actions and to become a relay for the Worldwide Week: lectures, debates, videoconference debates, plays... Indicate us the program you propose and we will write-out your participation slip. Please indicate us your Name, Last name, Address, Website, E-mail and phone number.