Academy
Welcome!
Playsomething
/
Rockschool
Level
3
Diploma
Music
Practitioner
We
want
to
warmly
welcome
you
to
the
Playsomething
Academy
and
to
the
Rockschool
Level
3
Diploma
-
Music
Practitioner
:
Business
This
booklet
will
give
you
an
overview
of
the
course
and
the
PS
Academy.
We
hope
youll
have
a
fantastic
time
at
Playsomething
and
will
go
on
to
a
successful
career
in
the
music
industry.
Alex
Forryan
Course
Leader
/
Lead
Tutor
Contents
Welcome
to
Playsomething!
The
Teaching
Team
The
Rockshool
Music
Practitioner
Diploma
o o o o o o o
What is the course ? Qualifications How does this qualification compare ? Modules we will be studying How to read an assignment brief Deadlines and Assessment Tracking your progress Timetables Attendance Punctuality College Holidays BRAVO Campaign ID Badges Smoking Rules Code of Conduct Eating and Drinking Disciplinary Procedure Complaints and Concerns Connexions Service
Alex Forryan Course Leader Marc Rapson Re-Mixing and Production Siobhan Dunne Deputy Head of Department Creative Arts and Industries sdunne@hrc.ac.uk
THE COURSE Rockschool's qualifications for Music Practitioners are vocational qualifications in popular music for all levels of ability from beginner to semi-professional. They provide an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional music qualifications such as GCSE and A/AS Levels, one that is nationally recognised and accredited with varying levels and sizes to suit individual needs. Developed by two organisations specialising in the music industry, they ensure that the most up-to-date trends, technological, commercial and business advances are embedded within them, providing learners with the skills to develop realistic employment opportunities in the music industry. They focus on practical musical skills and provide great flexibility of unit choice within a chosen pathway: Performance, Composition, Business or Technology, each allowing direct progression into their chosen area of the industry and/or a higher level of study. QUALIFICATIONS The qualifications are available at Level 1 (equivalent in demand to GCSE Grades D- G), Level 2 (equivalent in demand to GCSE Grades A*-C) and Level 3 (equivalent in demand to A/AS level) and are offered in different sizes at each level, as shown in the table below. The size of each qualification is determined by the amount of credit. A qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of units carrying sufficient credit for that qualification. Each credit broadly equates to 10 learning hours. HOW DOES THIS QUALIFICATION COMPARE? In contrast to music GCSEs and A/AS levels, Rockschool's qualifications for music practitioners are vocational qualifications, allowing direct progression into the industry and/or a higher level of study. They therefore place particular emphasis on developing practical skills for employment within the industry. Other similar qualifications, such as the Level 3 BTEC qualifications in Music Practice, combine practical skills with contextual knowledge that may not necessarily be fundamental to progression in many career pathways. Similarly, too many mandatory units can adversely affect learning and potential success, so these qualifications contain one mandatory unit relevant to the vocational pathway. The qualifications are transferable and cumulative, in that, for example, learners taking an Award can build on units successfully achieved to attain a Certificate/Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma. Unlike the Level 3 BTEC and GCSE/A/AS, there is no external assessment. These qualifications are assessed completely through internal assessment with external moderation. 5
THE UNITS AT PLAYSOMETHING CME 902J Level 3 Diploma (Business Pathway) - 90 credits. 340 - Copyright in the Music Industry - 15 Credits (Core Unit) 349 Planning a Career in Music - 10 Credits 375 - Podcast and Radio Production 10 Credits 320 Music Dissertation 15 Credits 353 - Music Event Management - 15 Credits 338 Music Event Health & Safety 10 Credits 354 Setting Up a Music Business 15 Credits Total Credits : 90
The
Learning
Outcomes
from
the
units
this
brief
addresses
Scenario
this
is
the
situation
you
are
going
to
be
working
in.
If
this
is
a
live
brief
for
a
real
client
this
information
will
be
here
7
Task
description
this
is
an
outline
what
you
are
expected
to
do
to
fulfil
this
brief
This
is
the
d
eadline
for
submitting
the
work
for
this
task.
The
wording
of
the
criteria
from
the
unit
that
you
will
be
assessed
against
will
be
here
so
you
can
see
what
you
need
to
achieve
What documents, items, portfolios or pieces of work you will need to submit to show you have completed the tasks
Deadlines
You
will
always
be
given
clear
deadlines
for
submitting
your
work,
by
your
Assessor,
on
your
Assignment
Brief.
You
will
be
expected
to
submit
your
work
on
this
deadline
in
order
to
get
your
work
assessed.
If
you
are
unable
to
submit
work
on
the
deadline
you
will
need
to
fill
in
an
extension
form,
and
have
the
form
signed
by
the
relevant
Assessor,
at
least
two
days
before
the
deadline.
If
you
do
not
submit
your
work
by
the
deadline
and
have
not
had
an
extension
form
signed
and
approved
by
the
Assessor
at
least
two
days
in
advance,
then
this
will
be
marked
as
a
non- submission.
You
should
arrive
at
college
with
your
work
ready
to
submit
to
your
tutors
on
the
day
of
the
deadline.
Not
being
able
to
print
work
out,
email
problems
or
last
minute
practical
issues
are
not
considered
a
reasonable
excuse
for
non- submission.
Not
submitting
work
on
deadline
is
considered
a
very
serious
matter
and
will
lead
to
disciplinary
processes.
10
Your Personal Tutor and the Course Leader for your course will keep a careful record of your progress. They will record what you achieve on assessment of each assignment brief. They will be able to keep you informed of whether you are meeting the targets you have been set. You will also have your own achievement folder where you will keep a copy of the feedback you receive from your tutors as well as a tracking sheet recording what you have achieved. You can access this folder at any time for your own reference but your Tutors will look after it for you.
11
Timetables
You will be given a timetable for your group during induction. You will be expected to keep this safe and use it to ensure you arrive at all your sessions on time, in the right room, with the correct equipment and homework, ready to work. You can always find your timetable on the Playsomething Diploma Blog, in the Timetables section should you need another copy. You will need to look carefully to ensure you get the right one for your year and group.
12
Attendance
It
is
vital
that
do
not
miss
any
of
the
sessions
that
appear
on
your
timetable.
Your
attendance
is
carefully
monitored
by
the
media
team
and
poor
attendance
will
mean
you
may
be
entered
into
a
disciplinary
process.
Poor
attendance
is
deemed
to
be
anything
below
90%.
Should
you
have
a
genuine
reason
for
not
attending
college
you
need
to
ensure
that
you
notify
the
Academy
of
this
by
ringing
the
PS
Admin
Team
Office
to
speak
to
Alex
or
Angie
on
01920
480483
If
you
do
not
ring
in
and
inform
us
of
your
reason
for
absence
this
is
viewed
as
an
unauthorised
absence
and
taken
very
seriously.
Should
you
be
aware
of
a
reason
why
you
will
be
absent
from
college
in
advance
you
will
need
to
provide
evidence
of
this
to
your
Personal
Tutor
in
advance
of
your
absence.
The
only
acceptable
reasons
for
absence
are:
Funeral
of
a
close
family
member
Practical
Driving
Test
Hospital
Appointment
that
cannot
be
arranged
outside
of
college
hours
Interview
for
a
full-time
job
/
HE
course
(at
the
end
of
your
one-year
course)
Absence
because
of
leisure
activities,
part-time
work
or
taking
holidays
within
term-time
is
unacceptable
behaviour
and
may
lead
to
disciplinary
action.
You
will
need
to
plan
these
activities
around
your
timetable
and
the
college
calendar,
both
of
which
you
can
find
in
this
handbook.
Punctuality
You must attend all sessions on time, with the correct equipment and ready to work. Your punctuality is carefully monitored by the media team and poor punctuality will mean you may be entered into a disciplinary process. Poor punctuality is deemed to be anything below 90%. If there is any reason why you may be late to a session, you must ring the PLAYSOMETHING admin. Team on 01920 480483 Speak to Angie
13
th Mon 7 Jan 2013 Mon 18th Feb Fri 22nd Feb 2013 Friday 29th Mar Friday 12th April 2013 Monday 6th May 2013 Monday 27th 31st May 2013 Fri 28th June 2013
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BRAVO
Campaign
The
college
runs
a
campaign
based
on
improving
life
on
college
campus
for
everyone.
You
will
be
expected
to
abide
by
the
BRAVO
guidelines
during
your
time
on
the
course.
You
will
be
given
a
presentation
all
about
the
BRAVO
campaign
during
Induction.
Be
Safe
Respectful
Always
Polite
Visible
ID
On
Time
Wearing ID Badges
It is essential that you have your ID visible on your person at all times. This is to protect yourself as well as the students and staff around you. You may be asked to produce your ID for a member of staff or security personnel. Failure to do so may result in you being removed from the campus.
Smoking
Rules
In
conjunction
with
national
legislation
the
Academy
has
a
no
smoking
policy.
If
you
wish
to
smoke
you
may
need
to
be
off
campus.
15
Offensive
Language
Our
main
building
is
next
to
a
Doctors
Surgery
that
is
in
use
every
day
and
is
attended
by
parents
with
young
children.
Please,
therefore
NEVER
USE
OFFENSIVE,
ABUSIVE
or
INNAPROPRIATE
language
outside
the
Diploma
Building
FAILURE
TO
ADHERE
TO
THIS
WILL
BE
DEALT
WITH
VERY
SERIOUSLY.
Code of Conduct
Responsibilities
of
students
Respecting
the
rights
and
views
of
others
Not
using
language
or
behaviour
that
could
offend
Wearing
your
ID
card
at
all
times
so
it
is
visible
No
ID
cards:-
Reception
staff
will
issue
a
temporary
ID
card
for
one-day
use
(will
not
swipe).
Your
name
will
be
recorded
and
reported
to
departments.
3
instances
will
trigger
the
Disciplinary
Procedure.
Use
College
buildings
and
equipment
safely
and
carefully
To
complete
and
submit
assignments
by
agreed
deadlines
To
attend
all
external
assessments
they
have
registered
for
To
avoid
plagiarism.
This
means
either
directly
copying
from
written
or
published
material,
or
paraphrasing
someone
elses
work,
without
crediting
the
source.
We will be giving you a Code of Conduct for the course that you will need to agree to and sign during your induction. Should you fail to abide by the requirements of these codes this may lead to action using the disciplinary procedures. 16
To avoid collusion. For example, getting someone else to produce work and submitting it as your own; colluding with others to produce work and submitting it as your own; knowingly allowing another student to copy your work. Not to cheat. For example, copying other students work (with or without their knowledge); submitting someone elses work as their own; fabricating results (for example experiments, research, interviews, observations)
Disciplinary Procedure
Your Personal Tutor will monitor your progress on the course carefully, along with you, in Personal Tutorials. All of the tutors will keep in touch with your Personal Tutor and ensure they are fully informed of your achievement, behaviour, attendance, punctuality and submission of work. If there are concerns with ANY of these areas, you will be made aware of this by your Personal Tutor and if you fail to make the improvements that are discussed this could progress on to further stages in the disciplinary process. The stages in the disciplinary process are as follows. You would progress on to the next stage in the process at each point if you fail to make the improvements recommended within the time frame you are set by your Personal Tutor. Tutorial discussion to identify and agree an action plan (documented in ILP) Formal Stage 1 disciplinary with Course Leader present with clear targets given and review date established Formal Stage 2 with the Head of Department which could result in permanent suspension.
If you have any complaints or concerns about your course or need to talk to someone other than your Personal Tutor or the Programme Manager for your course, you will need to speak to the Deputy Head of the Department, Siobhan Dunne. Her details can be found at the front of this handbook. 17
You will be assigned a Personal Instrumental Tutor during your induction period. This person will act as your key contact within college and they will meet with you at least twice every half term for a 15 minute meeting. Your Personal Instrumental Tutor will be primarily responsible for helping you track your progress on the course and monitoring your behavior, attendance, punctuality and work submission record. In the case of any concerns or queries you should contact your Personal Tutor in the first instance. You will be given a schedule of Personal Tutorials during induction stating when you will have your first meetings with your Personal Tutor.
18
Connexions
Service
Youth
Connexions
contact
Careers
Guidance
interviews
provide
students
with
a
completely
confidential
opportunity
to
explore
ideas
and
plans
for
the
future,
and
to
formulate
realistic
decisions
about
their
education,
training
and
employment.
Careers
interviews
can
help
to
motivate
and
support
students
in
their
studies
and
provide
a
framework
for
future
plans.
What
Does
A
Careers
Adviser
Do?
The
Careers
Advisers
help
your
students
when
they:
Are
stuck
for
career
ideas
Want
to
pack
in
their
course
Are
worried
they
are
going
to
fail
Knew
what
kind
of
job
they
wanted,
but
don't
want
that
any
more
Are
arguing
with
Mum
and
Dad
about
going
to
university
-
or
not
Don't
know
how
to
write
a
CV
-
or
a
Personal
Statement
-
or
a
letter
of
application
for
a
job
Want
to
practice
their
interview
skills
Are
thinking
about
a
'gap
year'
but
don't
know
what
they
could
do,
or
how
to
go
about
it
Feel
unsure
about
what
to
do
next
Don't
know
how
to
find
out
about
jobs
Get
confused
about
choosing
universities
Can't
make
sense
of
their
UCAS
application
Want
help
to
choose
future
courses
The Careers Advisers are there to help with UCAS and with all the research that should precede a higher education application. 19
Careers Interviews are available every weekday to: One hour Careers interviews can be booked at reception; there will be 2 or 3 days each week when appointments will be available. Additionally there are drop-in sessions for full-time students most weeks. The days and times of the drop-in sessions will vary each week in order to offer as many students as possible the chance to find a convenient time to speak to an adviser. Times of dropin sessions available at reception and library counter at both campuses. Appointments can be made by students as needed or staff may wish to refer a student for a career interview: *Broxbourne: go to Reception or call 01992 411400 ********** Jane Walden and Paula Pearch Careers Area LRC 3rd floor Telephone: 01992 411748 E-mail: jwalden@hrc.ac.uk E-mail: ppearch@hrc.ac.uk Additionally, members of the Connexions team including Alicia Anderson (Alicia.Anderson@hertscc.gov.uk 07990 698788) at Broxbourne and Ruth Andrews (Ruth.Andrews@hertscc.gov.uk 07789 927610) at Ware. Students can make appointments at Broxbourne reception to see the Connexions advisers, or contact them by phone or email and leave a message if necessary.
20