Our Intent

In Performing Arts, we aim to provide an exciting, relevant and inclusive curriculum where students can learn to be creative, confident and skillful performers. Through the delivery of a variety of topics, our students become experienced and passionate practitioners who have a clear love for performing arts. We would like our students to gain a wider knowledge and understanding of music and drama both practically and theoretically and to develop a wide range of skills that are used across the industry.

In Drama, the goal is to inspire and engage students to develop a love of drama and increase their confidence through practical skills when examining practitioners, whilst developing the elements of characterisation focusing on vocal and physical techniques.

How we intend to remove barriers

In Drama, we help remove barriers to literacy by developing essay writing skills and increase students’ understanding of how to research effectively. Students have the opportunity to read aloud (including focusing on emphasis, tone and confidence) and analyse scripts of varying demand, helping to widen their vocabulary. We broaden their knowledge of the discipline through subject specific terminology and make sure it is used consistently when giving answers and feedback.

We allow ample opportunities for group discussions in lessons around specific topics and promote creative collaboration where possible when producing a piece of work. We also use a variety of poetry techniques when writing lyrics/sonnets/monologues.

How we develop skills for learning

We develop skills for learning by recapping and learning different scripts, consistent use of subject specific keywords and development of correct and relevant terminology. Our curriculum is designed to allow students to advance in topic based skills throughout each year of study and revisit important terminology through constant recall. Opportunities to improve memory through learning scripts off by heart in order to move their focus away from holding scripts and focus more towards specific performance skills.

We offer discussions around differences in opinion and respect others views and subjective tastes when looking at different cultured pieces of text. We help students get a better understanding of storylines within scripts. Being creative is a key component of our subjects and we encourage this through creating different pieces or performances. We have multiple opportunities to review and reflect on performances and student work allowing for constructive feedback of themselves and their peers.

How we foster personal attributes

In Performing Arts, we foster personal attributes by promoting independence through solo rehearsal and encouraging self-motivation to progress. We enable students to overcome difficulties in musical technique and deal with performance anxiety when performing in front of an audience. We help promote a growth mindset and show how mistakes are an important part of learning. From this, we demonstrate how to bounce back from a disappointing performance.

We encourage all forms of communication and understanding of emotions and expression especially with peers, themselves and their audience. Collaboration with peers and in groups allows for opportunities to work with students outside their usual friendship groups and other year groups. This includes working on the many extra-curricular school productions delivered. All participants are ambassadors for the school and take huge pride in being part of the school community. We have high expectations in lessons that are followed to help students grow in terms of performance and self progression. From this, there is mutual respect for both peers and staff.

How we intend to enrich student experiences and broaden the horizons of students