Performing Arts
Staffing In Performing Arts
Performing Arts is taught by three teachers; these include Mr Wallis, Mr Robinson and Ms Hulme. Performing Arts is a new course that is now in its third year.
Aims Of The Department
Our department supports the school vision “to equip every Cumberland pupil with the knowledge and the skills to develop as individuals, to contribute as citizens and to build happy and fulfilling lives”.
In Performing Arts we aim to enable every child to leave school with an accredited qualification. We strive to reduce the attainment gap between groups of pupils by making effective use of data to inform teaching and learning and by constantly develop our skills as a teaching team.
We aim to support pupils to understand the key skills and process they need to develop and progress. We are constantly developing a curriculum that involves a range of tasks and activities to support and challenge learners of all abilities, and to become independent, life-long learners.
Over the last year the department has started to create links within the community and the wider Performing Arts profession, giving our students a sense of responsibility within their community through performances. We plan to develop stronger links with the National Youth Theatre, the Royal Opera House and Professional organisations like STOMP. Our aim is to raise the aspiration of our pupils through contact with professional organisations which will give pupils the best preparation for life after Cumberland.
Through performance, pupils contribute to the department and the wider community. The Performing Arts department runs clubs all year round for pupils to get involved in. Last year we performed the pantomime, “Aladin”, accompanied by the Music department. We also performed Christmas songs and had a sing along with audience participation. The performance was open to all pupils of the school community and family and friends of the pupils involved.
In Year 11 pupils are provided with the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre, working closely with the National Youth Theatre, to perform one of Shakespeare’s plays.
We have created links within the local community that have given our pupils the opportunity to perform to the local old people’s home and local primary schools. Our pupils were extremely proud of the role they played within the local community last Christmas and we hope that we establish more links like these to place our school community at the heart of the local community.
Performing Arts is an option subject, and as such is studied in Key Stage 4 only. In Years 10 and 11 pupils study Performing Arts for five hours a week.
We follow the Level 2 BTEC course offered by the Edexcel examination board. This leads to a L2 BTEC qualification, which is equivalent to two GCSEs at grades A*-C.
Performing Arts incorporates three separate performance strands ~ Acting, Dance and Music.
Acting
The acting strand of the course develops pupils’ use of voice, character development, physical control alongside teaching techniques in character research and documentation of progress. Pupils perform six performances over the two year course, working in spaces ranging from professional theatres to black box studios.
Dance
The dance strand of the course develops pupils’ research and understanding of the history of dance, whilst developing the art of choreography and the use of body, action, space, dynamics and relationships within movement. Pupils will have the opportunity to perform their own choreography to audience over the two year course.
Music
The music strand of the course develops pupils’ composing skills by exploring a wide range of music in a very practical way. Pupils apply the techniques they observe in the work of professional musicians, reinforced by a programme of study that focuses on improving musical skills and knowledge. Pupils produce a portfolio of music throughout the course, mainly using music technology, and are encouraged to both perform their work live to an audience and also to broadcast on the internet.
Assessment For Learning
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process in Performing Arts. Pupils are encouraged to evaluate their own work and that of their peers. Pupils are provided with their assessment criteria at the start of each unit, so they can reference what they need to do to move forward.
The teaching team assess progress through assignments which cover the relevant assessment criteria in Drama, Dance and Music. For each assignment, pupils are graded on professionalism through the rehearsal process, progress through practical workshops, performance and written portfolio work.
Data is recorded regularly on the school’s electronic management information system, so that we can track progress towards targets efficiently and effectively.
Attainment In Our Department
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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BTEC Performing Arts
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N/A
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N/A
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100%
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100%
33% Distinction (A*-A)
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