Performing Arts
In Performing Arts, our curriculum is designed to enable students to develop a love of theatre through the development of knowledge and skills to create, refine, perform, and reflectively analyse, while aiding students to view the world from an artistic perspective. Our intent is to equip students with necessary life skills such as creativity, confidence, leadership, communication, and resilience.
Performing Arts provides a great opportunity for students to build upon the communication, creativity and collaboration skills learned in primary school. It allows students to apply those skills in new and exciting ways which help them develop their confidence and self-expression. Students learn to express themselves through body language, voice, movement, and emotions, while working collaboratively with others. They also develop their coordination, balance, and rhythm, alongside advancing their flexibility, strength, and technique.
“Learn the craft of knowing how to open your heart and to turn on your creativity. There’s a light inside of you.” — Judith Jamison
In Key Stage 3, students study a wide variety of engaging topics that cover the foundation acting and dance techniques. Through practical and theoretical exploration, students learn about the history of theatre, performance styles, techniques, practitioners, and key terminology. The curriculum is designed to enrich students’ cultural capital through the experiences of viewing live performances, professional work, artist masterclasses, visiting venues and performance opportunities.
At KS4 students are offered the opportunity to take both Dance and Drama following the AQA GSCE syllabus.
Drama – This course is for students who enjoy devising, performing in and watching drama performances. Students are trained and assessed in three areas. These are devised performance, scripted performance and a written examination based on the set text Blood Brothers alongside an appreciation of live theatre review.
Dance – This course is ideal for students who are passionate about dance and enjoy both performing and choreographing. Students develop skills in the critical appreciation of six professional dance works and interpret the choreographic intentions, preparing them for a career in dance. Students need to have some experience and self-discipline to be able to achieve in this course. GCSE Dance requires students to be confident in performing as a solo dancer as well as in small groups.
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.”- Bertolt Brecht
Performing Arts offer students the opportunity to develop their dance and drama performance skills and confidence, as well as the ability to perform in the many extracurricular opportunities that take place across the school year, such as Key Stage 3 performing arts club, the whole school musical, showcases and specialist masterclasses, as well as taking part in many competitions, festivals, and performance visits.