Head of Performing Arts - Ms E Talmy

Dance

Key Stage 3
Dance is offered in half-term blocks, to Years 7, 8 and 9 on a rota. Extra-curricular classes are held on Monday lunch times (Ballet Academy) and Fridays after schools (Jazz/Street Dance Yr 9 only). All Dance Club creations have the opportunity to be performed in the annual Dance Showcase.

Key Stage 4
Dance is offered as the core unit within the Edexcel BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts. Students learn about the social and historical placing of different dance styles and choreograph their own dances for performance. A range of dance styles are explored. Students also have the opportunity to see professional dance companies in performance.

Key Stage 5
Students undertaking AS and A2 have the chance to present their practical work to the local primary schools. A variety of dance styles are studied, ranging from Capoeira to Ballet.

Music

All students have one hour per week of Music at KS3, in state of the art facilities including computer editing and recording interfaces, a keyboard lab, a full set of African Djembes and a Samba kit. Tuition in fourteen instruments is offered by peripatetic staff who visit on a weekly basis. There is a variety of extra-curricular music clubs offered including; Djembe Group, Samba Band, Junior and Senior Choir, Concert Band, String Quartet, String Ensemble, Keyboard Club, Theory club, Soul Jam, Production techniques, Orchestra, Junk Orchestra and Rock Bands.

At KS4 GCSE Music is offered using up to date music software and the Music studio. Students study the Edexcel syllabus and have regular workshop and performance opportunities during the course. In addition, students at KS4 can also study music as part of the BTEC First Certificate in Performing Arts.

A' Level Music, Music Technology and the BTEC Music Diploma are offered at KS5 through the Edexcel syllabus. These courses have proved very popular with students as during these courses students have the opportunity to experience music in specialised ways; for example, as a producer, composer, performer, sound engineer etc.

Drama

At Key Stage 3 students have one hour a week timetabled Drama, taught by subject experts in our two purpose-built studios, and theatre. All students perform regularly in class, as well as exploring themes and issues.

At Key Stage 4 we offer GCSE Drama (Edexcel specification) which involves classroom based workshops as well as the chance to perform in our annual Drama Showcase. Students are supported in the theory element of the course in an after-school club.

We offer Theatre Studies A'level (Edexcel) at Key Stage 5: this involves performance, devised drama, coursework and a written examination, and is a very popular choice amongst our students.

All students are taken to the theatre regularly to see a wide range of performance styles and we create opportunities to work with arts professionals. Students in Years 7-10 can join Performing Arts Club, and participate in regular performances and trips.

In addition, we offer BTEC First Certificate in Performing Arts.

Dance book

'The Intimate Act of Choreography' by Blom L.A and Trin Chaplin L.