Performing Arts

Teachers & Roles in Department

Support Staff in Department

About Performing Arts

Performing Arts aims to promote skills and qualities such as teamwork, leadership and risk-taking that will be of value in all subjects in the curriculum and all areas of life. It develops the imagination and allows pupils to explore a wide range of experiences in a support environment.

Drama and music are taught as discrete subjects throughout the school. In order to ensure that all students have a common experience, everyone in Years 7 – 9 follow a course in Drama that lasts for approximately 19 lessons per year, whereas Music follows a 39 week course. KS4 students have the option to study Drama or Music at GCSE level for 5 periods a fortnight. At KS5, AS and A2 Performing Arts is jointly taught by Silverdale and High Storrs at both locations.

There are two music rooms, a fully equiped Drama Studio and a space for Drama which is shared with the Art Department

Performing Arts aims to provide students with :

• An awareness of self and others as individuals and in group interaction.
• The ability to talk and listen to each other, in pairs and groups, and with a variety of adults.
• The tools to work as part of an ensemble – acting and reciting to others.
• The confidence to perform in front of the class or a larger audience.
• The ability to lead and take responsibility for completing group tasks.
• The understanding of how to value their own work as well as the work of others in the class.
• Increased self-esteem through an atmosphere in which creativity is valued.
• Development of spiritual, moral, social and cultural needs that prepare pupils for adult life in a culturally and ethnically diverse society.
• Awareness of and promotion of racial equality.
• The skills to work through problems both individually and in a team to produce a balanced and coherent outcome.

Curriculum

KS3

In music pupils follow a largely practical course, which has as its focus the National Curriculum attainment target of Performing, Composing, Listening and Appraising. During the course pupils build upon their skills and extend their understanding of musical form and language.

In Drama the main focus is introducing pupils to basic drama techniques and conventions, concentrating upon improvising and devising through mime, physical theatre and language with action. It is expected that pupils will build upon and extend their understanding of dramatic form and interpretation of roles in text-based performance.

KS4

GCSE music follows the Edexcel music specifications. Pupils learn how to compose in different styles, perform in groups and individually and listen to and appraise different musical styles. Coursework involves the production of two compositions and two performances with a written, listening examination.

GCSE drama also currently follows the Edexcel GCSE Drama specifications. Pupils learn how to present a piece of devised or scripted work to be assessed by an internal examiner. Coursework involves practical work and a written portfolio based on this.

KS5

In co-operation with High Storrs, we are currently following the Edexcel GCE, Performing Arts. Students need a good background in at least one area of the following – Dance, Drama and/or Music. Students learn about working in the arts and practice the skills required to gain employment in this sector. Some units, which are internally assessed are externally moderated but others take the form of a written examination.

Homework

In both Drama and Music at KS3 homework generally takes the form of extension work, research or practising the skills learnt in class. At KS4 work is set weekly and will also require students to learn lines, rehearse outside lesson time and produce an extensive portfolio of work. In music at KS4 homework has as its focus listening and practising on a chosen instrument(s) and continuing with composition work. At KS5 students will have to extend their studying time to incorporate independent learning.

Extra-Curricular Activities

There are regular visits to local theatres and an annual Shakespeare trip to The Globe, London or the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon. There is a major production each year in school or at The Crucible Theatre. The Christmas shows often takes the form of a showcase or review and there is a Christmas concert catering for all tastes in music. A popular event is The Battle of the Bands and Performing Arts makes a considerable contribution to The Multi-Cultural Evening. There are two plays dealing with the issue of bullying and how to develop strategies to eradicate this in our school. There are numerous clubs such as Choir, String Group, Wind Band, Swing Band, Keyboard Club and opportunities exist for students to form their own rock/pop groups and practise and the improvisation drama group known as "The Comedy Club" is very popular

The choir recently took part in The Sing Now 2005 event, combining with Dobcroft School and former members of the National Youth Choir, and plans to be involved in a similar event next year.