Intent:
At Fosse Way, the performing arts curriculum enables creative and personal expression through dance, drama, music and film.
We provide a range of opportunities for students to participate in the creative process as performers, technicians, writers, and designers, according to their skills and interests. The students are able to practice a range of skills before choosing specialisms while working on performance pieces either solo or with their peers.
We aim to foster their confidence in themselves and in their ability to work as part of a team, while also producing creative work of a high standard. In this way, their social and communication skills are developed: they take turns in leadership roles, and share their knowledge with each other in a safe and fun environment.
Key Stage 4 Performing Arts
Implementation:
As one of the Key Stage 4 options, the performing arts curriculum links to our school values, while working towards the Trinity College Arts Award Bronze and / or Silver Standards. These qualifications are accredited by Arts Council England.
Most of our students take Bronze Award, which is a Level 1 Award. It is divided into 4 parts:
- Taking Part, in which the students keep a record of their involvement in an arts activity either on their own or as part of a group. This has usually been a Theatre Show, either devised or working from a script, which is performed for parents and friends in school; a Dance piece performed at Dance Umbrella at the Forum in Bath; or a Film made on-site, or on location, such as the short film made at Midsomer Norton Heritage Station, which is now featured on their website.
- Be the Audience, in which the students write a review of a show which they have seen. We travel to the Egg Theatre at Bath Theatre Royal to see some great performances, as well as enjoying theatre shows in school by visiting companies such as M&M Productions and the Natural Theatre Company, Bath.
- Arts Inspiration, for which the students research and write about an artist who inspires them. There is a lot of scope for personal choice in who they research and how they present their findings to their peers. Often it will take the form of a presentation, which features images, information, links to websites, and film clips.
- Arts Skills Share, for which the students take turns leading sessions in order to pass on their arts skills to others. Students practise their planning and leadership skills, while sharing their talents in diverse areas, such as face-painting, dance, drumming, and photography.
Impact:
Whilst engaged in a wide range of performing arts activities, the students are able to develop their skills in personal expression, creativity, and physical and technical dexterity.
As well as their accomplishments in performing arts as a discrete subject, the work also has a positive impact on our students’ social and communication skills and personal confidence. Working together on shared projects, playing drama games, learning to listen to each other and taking turns, all contribute to their enjoyment and sense of well-being.
We share our work with the community of the school and also with the wider community ie families, local arts groups, and organisations such as the heritage railway station. In this way, the students receive positive feedback as well as being able to celebrate their accomplishments with their friends and families.
Careers:
Many of our students enjoy the performing arts and would like to follow career paths or find local groups with whom they can continue to enjoy their creative expression in their spare time. Some of our students have gone on to work experience in the field of theatre; for example, a student who learned about stage lighting went on to be a technical assistant at the Theatre Royal Bath, whilst another student has performed in shows at the Merlin Theatre, Frome.
In the wider world, the students benefit from the development of their motor skills through dance and physical theatre; vocal skills through working from a script; characterisation and awareness of movement; working well as part of a team; and how to use costume, make-up, lighting, and sound, to good effect. All of these play a part in the students’ daily lives and provide a strong foundation for well-being in their futures.