Good news for aspiring performance artists as ESF pushes new programme

[First published on 9 May, 2017] A new International Baccalaureate (IB) programme specialising in performing arts has been launched in Hong Kong to cater for students who want to study the subject at university or build a career in this field.

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) launched a joint programme last Friday, offering performing arts courses through the International Baccalaureate’s Career-related Programme (IBCP). Students aged over 16 can choose the programme, which will commence in the 2017/18 academic year.

The new programme allows students to take Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) performing arts courses at the HKAPA, as well as IB courses with the Career-related Programme (CP) core at Renaissance College or South Island School.

The HKAPA provides a wide range of performing arts modules for the BTEC course, including jazz dancing, musical theatre performance, singing skills for actors and dancers, and tap dancing.

To be eligible for this programme, students need to complete either the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), or gained five grade Cs or above in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations, or equivalent qualifications. However, an ESF spokeswoman said applications will be mainly judged on students’ abilities and interest in the performing arts.

ESF chief executive officer Belinda Greer welcomed the new programme, which intends to develop and foster students’ creativity. “By introducing the IBCP gradually across some ESF schools, we hope to develop and implement a personalised approach to learning that allows students to focus on creative projects and practical inquiries,” she said.