Purpose and Provision
Download a copy of the Music Departments Purpose and Provision document here.
Curriculum Map
Download a copy of the Performing Arts Curriculum Map here.
Performing Arts has a strong role to play within the curriculum and beyond and offers pupils and students a creative and expressive outlet to showcase their skills in Dance, Drama, Physical Theatre and Musical Theatre.
The department has a singing teacher offering Musical Theatre lessons for all voices and there are dance classes and clubs offered at lunchtime and after school. Musical Theatre grade examinations are offered through the London College of Music and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and pupils and students can opt to take these if they wish. They offer students in the Sixth Form valuable UCAS points (Grade 6 upwards) towards both University and Conservatoire application. The department is actively involved alongside the Music Department with the bi-annual school musical where all students and pupils can take part.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, in Year 8, for one hour a fortnight pupils will study a broad-based curriculum in dance, drama and physical theatre complimenting the music lessons and their curriculum of blues and singing.
There are regular assessments which allow pupils to follow their progress in all three disciplines and this offers all pupils an insight into the requirements of taking Performing Arts in Year 10.
Key Stage 4
Pupils can opt to study Performing Arts at KS4 as one of their options. It is a popular course, often oversubscribed, and pupils wishing to take the subject at GCSE Level should also be actively involved in Performing Arts outside of school. The syllabus followed is the EDUQAS Level 1 / 2 Vocational Award in Performing Arts and is equivalent to one GCSE. There are three units and these are assessed through Non Exam Assessment (Coursework) and an examined unit.
Unit 1 – Performing
You will learn the skills and techniques needed to produce a successful performance of an existing work, such as a piece of music or an extract from a play or show.
This unit can be completed through any of the following disciplines:
- Drama,
- Music,
- Music Technology
- or Musical Theatre (which may incorporate dance).
This unit is worth 30% of the overall examination and is assessed through project work.
Unit 2 – Creating
You will learn how to create and refine your own original work in performing arts, such as choreography, designing costumes or composing music.
This unit can be completed through any one of the following disciplines:
- Devised drama,
- Choreography,
- Composition,
- Composition using technology,
- Costume design,
- Lighting design,
- Make-up and hair design,
- Set design,
- Sound design.
This unit is worth 30% of the overall examination and is assessed through project work.
Unit 3 - Performing Arts in Practice
You will learn about areas of the performing arts industry that need to be considered when responding to a commission, and will consider these when coming up with and pitching your own idea.
This unit is worth 40% of the overall examination and this is again assessed by project work (No examination)
Key Stage 5
Students study the Pearson BTEC Nationals in Performing Arts (Extended Certificate), which is equivalent of 1 A-level and this can be studied alongside two other A-levels. There are four units studied and students can undertake the qualification in Dance, Acting or Musical Theatre. The specification also allows for development of skills within the triple threat and you will also develop skills in physical theatre and the study of theatre practitioners.
Unit 1 – Investigating Practitioners’ Work
This unit carries 90 guided learning hours and students will study the works of two practitioners. You will develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work. This is assessed through a 3-hour written examination with prepared notes. This unit is examined by Pearson.
Unit 2 – Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance
Students explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing skills and techniques in at least two performance styles. You can choose the discipline to focus on and this unit carries 120 guided learning hours and is assessed through a portfolio including performance extracts. This unit is moderated by Pearson.
Unit 3 – Group Performance Workshop
Students explore and integrate creative, physical and vocal skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus. This unit carries 120 guided learning hours and takes place in Upper Sixth with the final submission of logs and performance due by 15th May. This unit is examined by Pearson.
Unit 4 - Optional
This unit carries 60 guided learning hours and students choose one of the following options; Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Street or Contemporary dance technique, Acting Styles, Improvisation, Interpreting Classical Text for Performance, Developing the Voice for Performance, Movement in Performance, Musical Theatre Techniques or Variety Performance. This allows all students to play to their strengths and is evidenced by a portfolio of evidence and performance extracts.
The link to the specification is here.
Extra-Curricular Performing Arts
Pupils and students can engage in:
- Dance Club (Junior)
- Dance Club (Senior)
- Performing Arts Society (Sixth Form)
- Bi-annual school show
- External dance and performing arts events and competitions
The Department joins bi-annually with the Music Department to stage a whole school musical and to date these have included Fame, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Evita, Oliver and in 2025 the school won a competition to stage the first ever production of Frozen The West End Musical in the North West of England.
Staff
- Miss T Fielding - Lead Teacher of Performing ArtsMiss
- H Davies - Head of Music and Performing Arts/Assistant Headteacher for Sixth Form
- Miss J Fallows - Music