‘The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life’ Oscar Wilde
Dance and Drama
The dance and drama curriculum aims to provide students with the opportunities to develop into well equipped, knowledgeable, and confident performers. The focus is to develop students’ understanding of a variety of performing genres, practitioners, performance methods and composition techniques as well as providing them with opportunities to develop key transferable skills such as teamwork, time management, organisation, leadership, and communication skills. Students learn and replicate a wide range of performing arts repertoire. They are able to create their own performances and critically analyse the performance of others.
Music
The music curriculum instils a passion for music through the exploration of listening, performing and composing. By teaching music theory, we ensure that students have a solid foundation of knowledge that allows them to develop their musical skills and abilities in a range of genres. All students are provided with the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of their music education through their weekly lessons as well as part of the academies extra-curricular provision. The curriculum is designed to allow all students, regardless of their prior learning, to flourish as musicians and develop a life-long love of music as they move onto the next stage of their musical journey.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 Dance
Year 10 pupils begin a 2 year BTEC in Performing Arts with a Dance focus, where students follow the Edexcel syllabus. You can find more information here.
Key Stage 4 Music will be offered for the 2024 cohort and follows the Eduqas exam specification. You can find more information by clicking here.
British Values, SMSC and Cultural Capital
Performing Arts plays a key role in promoting and maintaining a positive wellbeing for our students. We encourage academic development but also promote participation in cultural activities, proven to benefit health and satisfaction with life in general.
Performing Arts develops cognitive skills, empathy and theory of mind. Drama helps with our ability to understand and control our emotions. Students appreciate theatre and watching performances for pleasure. Playing and listening to music are closely associated with increased feelings of wellbeing and there is evidence to suggest it helps to improve attainment in other subjects, particularly Maths. Music enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development whilst also giving pupils a positive experience; building their self-esteem when working individually and in groups.
Extra-curricular Performing Arts is where lifelong interests and friendships are formed. Peripatetic lessons with professional mentors covering a wide range of instruments are available for everyone. Life skills taught through Performing Arts help build confidence, self esteem and invoke a sense of being a valued member of a team.
Studying the Arts embraces cultural diversity such as exploring world music and theatre as well as offering an insight into British traditions, their historical and cultural significance. This is encouraged through plays; concerts; theatre and musical history; links to film; literature and etymology.
We develop pupils’ ability to perform and speak in public, forming firm foundations which bode well for the future, such as, with interview skills.