“Music & the Performing Arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can” - Dame Julie Andrews
Curriculum Intent
The Performing Arts dept. was created to provide a creative outlet for pupils' development. Through Drama & Music lessons, pupils enhance their practical skills, confidence & creative thinking.
Building on the knowledge first learnt in primary school, pupils begin to explore the fundamentals of music in KS3: Performing, Composing & Appraising. In Drama, KS3 pupils begin to Devise, Perform and Evaluate. Each of these areas link to the skills that are required at KS4.
As the curriculum becomes increasingly more challenging, pupils are encouraged to participate in wider opportunities to further enhance their abilities.
Key Stage 3 Music Curriculum
At Key Stage three, pupils study one hour of music per fortnight (which will return to one p/week in 2025/26). The Key Stage 3 Music curriculum aims to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and develop their own musicianship. Throughout KS3, pupils explore a number of instruments, (including their own voice) and deepen their understanding of the musical language they use. Built on the three pillars of Appraising, Composing and Performing, the KS3 curriculum covers a range of topics, styles and approaches to music making – we now cover music technology to better reflect the nature of the modern music industry.
Pupils have the opportunity to continue their musical journey into KS4 and opt for GCSE Music.
Key Stage 4 Music Curriculum
Exam Board: WJEC Eduqas
- Syllabus: GCSE (9-1) Music - C660QS
- Component 1: Performing 30% - Teacher assessed, externally moderated
- Component 2: Composing 30% - Teacher assessed, externally moderated
- Component 3: Appraising 40% - Written Examination – 1 hour 15 minutes
Music is an exciting, creative and interesting subject to study. It provides you with a wide range of transferable skills making you attractive to employers in many different fields. This course is designed to develop all aspects of your musical understanding, both practical and theoretical. You will perform, compose and listen to a wide range of musical styles as well as learning how to analyse and make comparisons between pieces of music. Music involves:
- Being creative and developing your own compositional style.
- Practising and performing on your chosen instrument(s).
- Studying the fine details of how music is written.
- Developing the skills to analyse and make comparisons between pieces of music.
The GCSE is made up of three sections:
Unit 1: Performing – 30% of GCSE
You will have to perform at least two pieces of music adding up to a total of at least 4 minutes. You will play an instrument or sing both a solo performance and an ensemble (group) performance. The skills will be practised and developed in Year 10, with the final performances taking place in Year 11.
Unit 2: Composing – 30% of GCSE
You will write two pieces of music. One of the compositions will be written to a brief set by the exam board whilst the other will be written entirely in a style of your own choosing. The two compositions must add up to a total of at least 3 minutes.
Unit 3: Appraising – 40% of GCSE
You will study specific pieces of music or ‘Set Works’ from four areas of study: Instrumental Music 1700 – 1820, Vocal Music, Music for Stage and Screen and Fusions. You will sit an exam in which your knowledge and understanding of these pieces and areas of study will be tested. You will also listen to music you have not heard before, making comparisons between that and the Set Works.
Progression routes
Students studying music may go on to study A level music or other Music/ performance related coursea, such as Music technology. Creativity is a skill that can transfer into any workplace. Studying Music will allow you to develop your creativity, improve wellbeing, self expression, communication and confidence.
Future Careers
- Music producer.
- Music therapist.
- Musician.
- Private music teacher.
- Secondary school teacher.
- Sound designer.
- Sound engineer.
- Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video.
Key Stage 3 Drama Curriculum
At Key Stage three, pupils study one hour of drama per fortnight. The curriculum aims to develop a deeper understanding of drama and give pupils a knowledge of a range of techniques which they will explore throughout Y7-9. The curriculum is built on three key areas of Drama: Devising, Performing and Evaluating. These skills are first visited in Y7 and, as pupils progress through KS3, they learn about a variety of skills, practitioners, techniques & texts. Our written and practical work extends the knowledge gained in English lessons, this helps consolidate, extend and develop key English and Drama skills.
Pupils then have the opportunity to extend their Drama progression into KS4 and opt for GCSE Drama.
Key Stage 4 Drama Curriculum
Course Structure & Overview
Exam Board: WJEC Eduqas
Syllabus: GCSE (9-1) Drama – QAN: 601/8420/6
Component 1: Devising Theatre (Practical) 40% - Teacher assessed, externally moderated
Component 2: Performing from a Text (Practical) 20% - Marked by Eduqas (visiting examiner)
Component 3: Interpreting Theatre (written exam) 40% - 1 hour 30 minutes
Drama is a practical, engaging and creative course. It provides opportunities to understand and create drama as a practical art form in which ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through informed artistic choices. Studying Drama at GCSE will give you the tools and life skills to become a confident, open minder person who isn’t afraid to create, perform or do a bit of public speaking! In the age of Zoom, Teams and FaceTime, how many businesses wish they had more people who were calm under pressure and confident in front of a camera?
Course Content
Over this two-year course, you will have the opportunity to devise, perform and respond to drama in a range of different genres. This is done across three components:
Component 1: Devising Theatre – 40% - coursework, externally moderated
- Pupils will devise, perform and evaluate their performance:
- Devising: create and develop ideas to communicate meaning for performance (30 marks)
- Realising: apply theatrical skills to realise artistic intentions (30 marks)
- Evaluating: analyse and evaluate their own work (15 marks)
Component 2: Performing from a Text – 20% - performance, visiting examiner
- Pupils will perform two extracts from one play (contribute as a performer or designer)
- Live Performance (60 marks)
- Artistic intentions (150 words), ungraded but submitted to examiner
Component 3: Interpreting Theatre – 40% - written exam
- Written examination lasting approx. 1 hour 30 mins.
- Section A: Questions on An Inspector Calls (Set Text) (45 marks)
- Section B: Analyse and evaluate one piece of live theatre (15 marks)
Skills Developed
No subject teaches you to work well in a team like GCSE Drama! You will always be working with a varying size of group and, in doing so, you will have to develop your patience, ability to compromise and your communication skills! In Drama, you will also develop discipline (which is acutely linked to your body language) and your ability to ‘think on your feet’ and improvise. Businesses in every sector are looking for people to take the initiative and have the ability to adapt. Aside from the developing your ability to be critical and be creative, Drama will help you to grow in confidence! Skills that you will need in any walk of life!
Progression Routes
Students who study Drama have gone on to study the subject at A level and beyond with degrees in anything from Musical Theatre to costume design. Skills learnt throughout Drama, such as communication, public speaking, team work and creativity can be an asset in most courses.
Future Careers
- Actor.
- Broadcast presenter.
- Community arts worker.
- Drama therapist.
- Runner, broadcasting/film/video.
- Theatre director.
- Theatre stage manager.