Performing Arts

Performing Arts

‘Arts education must be part of our education solution because it works for all student’ Kerry Washington 

In the performing arts department our vision is to develop a culture of creativity. In music through exposure to a broad range of musical experiences, great composers, instruments, music technology and the wider industry which supports all students in becoming fluent in performing, composing and appraising music. And in drama with access to prolific playwrights, practitioners and the opportunity to explore the broad spectrum of theatre roles available such as sound and lighting roles, set and costume design. The performing arts department has opportunities for every student. Our curriculum is both ambitious and inclusive to all with the aim that students will have a clear area of expertise in one of the fields linked to each subject.  

Music

Our curriculum is based around three key areas which the music national curriculum is based upon; performing, composing and appraising and is carefully sequenced so that pupils can build on knowledge and skills with confidence.

At KS3 students have one music lesson per week. Students will have opportunity to sing, learn how to read both treble and bass clef notation, play keyboard, Ukulele, guitar and drums. Work in solo and ensemble settings, use music software to compose and edit music. As well as listening and understanding music written and performed by a wide range of composers and musical styles.

 

Drama

KS3 drama lessons take place once per fortnight. The curriculum is based around the building blocks of drama, allowing students the opportunity to develop confident acting skills and technique, understand different roles in theatre and we explore devised work and scripted. Summative assessments take place at the end of each topic.

KS3 Overview:

 

Performing Arts Curriculum

 

KS4 Music

he GCSE course is made up of 3 assessed components; performing, composing and appraising.

Performing: Students will undertake weekly instrumental lessons on an instrument of their choice to develop their music skills. This leads to students performing a solo and ensemble piece which will count towards 30% of their final GCSE grade.

Composing: Throughout the two-year course students will explore a number of different software programmes such as bandlab, musescore and cakewalk in order to compose two pieces of music themselves. One of these compositions will be completed in year 10 and can be in any style, the second is composed to a set brief given by the exam board in the September of year 11. Both of these compositions count towards 30% of the final GCSE grade.

Appraising: The final 40% of the GCSE courses is made up from a listening and appraising exam sat at the end of year 11. Students will spend time exploring set works, how to answer questions on music they have never heard as well as understanding how to read and understand music scores.

 

KS4 Drama

Students can choose to take Drama as an option at KS4. 

As part of this course pupils explore 3 components:

1. Understanding Drama
2. Devising Drama
3. Texts in Practice

 

Extra Curricular

We currently offer a wide range of instrumental tuition through Anthem Tuition. We hold several Music performance evenings every year including our annual carol service at Hyde Chapel and a music performance showcase. Weekly clubs which take place include year 7/8 vocal group, year 9,10,11 vocal group, chamber choir, school band, battle of the bands. These are well attended and encouraged to support each pupils music development.

We currently offered Drama club weekly which is well attended and bi-annually a whole school musical production takes place in which pupils from any year can audition to be part of.

 

Performing Arts Team