Subject Department and Lead(s)

Subject: Performing Arts

Head of Department: Mr Nathan D Price

Curriculum Area Vision and Intent

Needs to link to the Academy’s overall Curriculum Intent Statement

Here you state what is distinct about your Department in terms of its planned content and provision

Can also include its successes and strengths

The vision for Performing Arts at THA is to promote an inclusive and challenging

environment to support, nurture and reward every performer. The Performing Arts

curriculum area is comprised of a collaborative team who ensure the delivery of

a well-rounded musical and dramatic curriculum that presents a wider opportunity

for students to be successful both within the classroom environment as well as through

extra-curricular achievements. We seek to build on three key areas within our curriculum:

building confidence, performing and creativity. We also aim to inspire young musicians to

make music a part of their future through further study. This furthers our whole-school

aim to ‘inspire our young people to be ambitious, curious and capable of achieving their

personal best.’

KS3 provision summary

 e.g. topics covered, links to SOW/overviews and homework

During Key Stage 3, our pupils begin to develop skills in performing, basic theory skills and

compositions.

In Year 7, pupils focus on a chosen musical by looking at both musical and dramatic

performances, before moving on to learning about music theory, the elements of music,

world music and the instruments of an orchestra. They will also focus on an introduction to

Drama, character analysis and roles and responsibilities within the world of theatre. Throughout

these topics, pupils develop their confidence to be able to perform a show in front of a live

audience, as well as developing their listening skills and abilities to apply new knowledge to

set tasks.

In Year 8, pupils begin by looking at the topic of Blues and Jazz before moving on to examine

Theme and Variation, which further develops their skills in performance. They will then learn

about music production through a ringtone project, where they will learn to use software to

create their own ringtone. The year finishes with a look at how music is used in film and other

popular culture. Within Drama, pupils will learn about Greek Theatre and Chorus, before moving

on to examine two set texts (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and Blood

Brothers). This will involve pupils developing their group work skills, as well as focusing on

physical theatre.

In Year 9, pupils develop a deeper understanding of their knowledge of musical elements within

film music to enhance their aural skills, and music theory to prepare them for the GCSE course.

They are given the opportunity to develop ensemble skills through a ukulele group project. This

develops their communications skills alongside their musical ability In Drama, pupils will have

the opportunity to look at how drama can be used as propaganda through a unit of work on

Theatre of Fact, using drama within Theatre in Education to examine contemporary issues

before looking at how to respond to a brief, where pupils will have the chance to create their

own performances, building on the skills they have learnt throughout Key Stage 3.

Throughout KS3, pupils will be assessed in various ways: through performances, written tests

on musical theory and compositions. This allows pupils to become well-rounded musicians and

builds on the skills for further study at GCSE.

KS4 provision summary

e.g. topics covered, links to SOW/overviews and homework

Currently for Year 10 and 11 we will be following the GCSE Music 9-1 Eduqas (Spec. 2016),

2-year course. Pupils cover three main areas over the two years ‘Performing’, ‘Composing’ and

‘Appraising’. Much of the KS4 curriculum is an extension and challenge from the KS3 foundation.

In year 10 (first year of study), pupils explore forms and devices, film music, music for ensemble,

composing using forms and devices, composing for film music and analysing groups from

different eras. Through these topics, pupils will learn about music theory in greater depth,

and will learn to play an instrument/sing at Grade 3 level as well as developing their aural skills

with set works.

For the second year of study, pupils develop a deeper understanding of film music, focusing

specifically on techniques and responding to a brief. This will predominantly be coursework that

will be submitted as part of their GCSE grade. Pupils will also use their knowledge of forms and

devices to perform their chosen Grade 3 or above piece of music on their chosen instrument,

which will be assessed. The final area of study will be music for ensemble, where pupils will

need to work as part of a group to perform a chosen piece together.

For the GCSE Music course, pupils will have ample opportunity for retrieval practice of all key

areas of study required for the highest level of challenge and outcome. Pupils will be supported

through individual interventions and will have the opportunity for extra-curricular revision

sessions. Pupils will be assessed in line with the Eduqas Assessment framework, which give

greater clarity to track their progress. They will have the opportunity to complete at least 2

Mock exams, both for theory and practical performances, to best prepare them for the

assessment process and increasing their individual confidence.  

Years 10 and 11 Drama GCSE.