Performing Arts

Intent – What are we aiming to achieve through our curriculum?

• To develop a love of music and drama.
• To use music and drama skills to support and enhance social interaction and confidence.
• To develop communication skills to express emotions, thoughts and ideas through a range of creative techniques.
• To develop literacy skills through lyric based song writing and script writing projects.
• To engage with music and drama as a therapeutic media, developing pupils’ emotional self-regulation skills.

Implementation – How are we delivering our curriculum?

• Pupils have access to Performing Arts (music and drama) which is differentiated to meet pupils’ learning needs and styles.
• The Performing Arts curriculum challenges pupils appropriately to their individual stages of development.
• The Performing Arts curriculum offers opportunities for cross-curricula learning, including:
  • Workshop days
  • Regular performance opportunities
  • Individual and group instrumental lessons
  • Communication development through music and drama skills, such as speaking and listening activities, song and script writing projects, collaborative projects, etc
  • Development of ICT skills through music and drama work, such as use of music sequencers and video editing software
• All pupils will have opportunities to:
  • Learn performance-based skills on a range of musical instruments.
  • Learn basic song writing and music production techniques.
  • Develop listening and communication skills with practical group work.
  • Use tools and technology to support and enhance their progress and enjoyment of the subject, including GarageBand music production software, iMovie film editing software and use of a green screen.
  • Receive some additional small-group/individual music sessions within school time with professional instrumental tutors, focussing on instruments such as guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano/keyboard, drums, percussion, solo singing and further use of music technology in composition and recording.

Assessment

• Project work such as short movies and compositions are stored digitally for reference with some pieces being shown in school to celebrate achievements with peers and families.
• Pupils’ progress is regularly logged in a statement tracker to reflect their ongoing development in lessons.
• Pupils are encouraged to develop both their self and peer assessment skills, focussing around positive statements such as ‘I like…’ and ‘I think it would be even better if…’ to build their constructive feedback skills.
• Pupils in Key Stage 4 can choose to take a Music or Drama module which contributes to a larger Vocational Skills BTEC.

Impact – What difference is the curriculum making to our students?

• Pupils’ confidence and social ability increases as they progress through the curriculum, with life skills such as speaking with clarity in front of others showing noticeable development. This not only benefits them in other subjects, such as English, but also in their life post-school.
• An increase in pupils’ enjoyment and appreciation of Performing Arts, with some pupils choosing to pursue it further after school.
• The vast majority of pupils will meet or exceed their expected progress in music and drama.
• Where pupils take a qualification, the vast majority will meet or exceed their expected outcomes.