Performing Arts

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Intent

Our intent is to ensure that all of our students receive a rich and varied curriculum in the Performing Arts, incorporating Music, Dance and Drama. We introduce and cultivate skills and knowledge required to develop an understanding of the different specialisms within the area of Performing Arts.

In Performing Arts we plan highly ambitious and aspirational subject specific themed courses. We make cross-curricular links with other subjects within the school. Learning is implemented by exploring, creating, and developing a variety of skills in the Performing Arts. For example, in Drama: physical theatre and practitioners; in Dance: stimulus choreography and dance fundamentals. In the scheme of learning we link subject specific contents to artistic careers.

In Performing Arts we believe the curriculum will have a positive impact on the development of every student. The impact of our curriculum can be measured through quality and well-conceived outcomes. Students will be able to self-analyse and critically evaluate their own and others' work through live performance. Students will not only develop performance skills but confidence in themselves.

Learning Journeys

AQA Dance

aqa dance performing arts ks3 road map.pdf

BTEC Dance

btec dance performing arts ks3 road map.pdf

Drama

drama performing arts ks3 road map.pdf

KS3

Performing Arts is taught for one hour per week for all of Year 7, 8 and 9. Students study a new scheme of learning each term, developing their knowledge and understanding of all specialisms in the Arts. Students look at the following areas throughout the year: Musical Theatre, Drama and Dance.

Prep is set fortnightly as low stakes retrieval tasks, tier 3 vocabulary or lesson recall to support student learning.

KS4

GCSE Drama

Course Content

Drama is about expression and creativity, collaboration, sharing stories and experiences, finding common ground, challenging and changing the way people think and scrutinising your own beliefs and behaviour. The skills you learn from this course go far beyond technique, analysis and writing. You will develop a greater sense of confidence, empathy and adventure that will serve you throughout your life. During the course you will explore a variety of issues and texts and learn how to employ different dramatic genre and techniques. You will need to attend at least one performance of live theatre as part of your course but you will also have the opportunity to attend various workshops and activities. You will also be encouraged to perform your own work to a variety of different audiences. You will learn how to communicate, how to plan and how to develop your critical skills through evaluation, analysis and reflection. And you will have FUN!!! 

Assessment

Exam Board: Edexcel

Component 1: 40% Coursework (practical and written). There are two parts to the assessment:

• A portfolio covering the creating and developing process and analysis and evaluation
• A devised performance/design realisation 

Component 2: 20% Performance

• Externally assessed by visiting examiner.  

Component 3: 40% Written Exam

• Section A: Bringing Texts to Life - This is a study of a set text
• Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation 

GCSE Dance

Exam Board: AQA

Component 1: 60% Performance and Choreography

• Performance: 40 Marks, 30%
  • You will learn six set phrases and perform three as a solo (approx 1 min).
  • Either a duet or a trio based on the set phrases (approx 2 mins).

• Choreography: 40 Marks, 30%
  • Either a solo or group composition, of between 2-3 minutes.
  • Choreographed in response to a range of stimuli chosen by the exam board.

 

Component 2: Dance Appreciation

• 1 hour 30 mins exam, 80 marks, 40%
• What is assessed: 
  • Knowledge and appreciation of choreographic processes and performance skills.
  • Critical appreciation of your own work.
  • Critical appreciation of Professional Dance Works.

BTEC Dance 

Exam Board: Edexcel

Component 1: 30% Exploring the Performing Arts

• Internal assessment and externally moderated
• Learners will produce a written report, presentation, portfolio or other similar evidence of understanding three professional dance works and the work of key practitioners. Evidence will also include participation in practical elements of dance activities which will also be documented and filmed. 

Component 2: 30% Developing skills and techniques within dance

• Internal assessment and externally moderated
• Learners will be assessed throughout workshops, classes and rehearsals. They will be required to demonstrate their development of technique and dance skills required for performance. At the end of the component, learners will demonstrate their application and use of skills in the performance of professional dance repertoire. In addition, learners will be present evidence such as a practice and rehearsal logbook or diary to illustrate their ongoing developments and improvements. 

Component 3: 40% Responding to a brief

• Externally assessed
• Learners will generate ideas in response to a brief set by Edexcel in addition to selecting and developing dance skills and techniques to meet the brief. Throughout the process they will need to keep a record of ideas, research and skills development. This will culminate in a final live performance to a target audience. Learners will be expected to capture their ideas in a written log and evaluation report which will be completed across 3 hours under timed supervision conditions.