Performing Arts:  Dance and Drama


At Key Stage 3 students are taught both Dance and Drama as part of an Expressive Arts’ curriculum.  They have three lessons each fortnight.    Each year has a particular focus: 
                  Year 7: The main focus of the year is to allow students to develop Personal and Thinking Skills (PLTS) such as creative thinking and working as a team.  It is about developing a student’s confidence as well introducing them to the subjects of Dance and Drama.  Basic techniques such as Thought Tracking, role play (drama) and unison and contrast (Dance) are taught.
                  Year 8: The focus will be developing the skills learnt in Year 7.  The processes students go through to make a piece of dance or drama is made more apparent.  Some students will also work towards an Arts’ Award: Bronze.  This is a national qualification offered by the Arts Council.    
Year 9: Students at this stage will have one lesson of Dance and one lesson of Drama every fortnight.  There will be a greater emphasis on performing skills.


Themes:
Year 7

Term

Theme

Assessment

September to October

Fantasy, Myths and Legends

 

November to December

Fantasy, Myths and Legends

 

January to February

Medieval Times

Expressive Arts’ Assessment

March to April

Communication

 

May to June

Under review

 

June to July

Shipwrecked

 

Year 8

Term

Theme

Assessment

September to October

Physical Theatre

 

November to December

Environment

Expressive Arts’ Assessment

January to February

Australia

 

March to April

Performance Skills

Dance                     Drama

May to June

Disaster

 

June to July

Drugs Awareness

 

Year 9

Term

Theme

Assessment

September to October

Bullying

Expressive Arts’ Assessment

November to December

Horror

 

January to February

Skills

Dance               Drama

March to April

Gangs

 

May to June

Under Review

 

 

Year 10 and 11
Students can opt for both Dance and Drama at Key Stage 4.   We offer the BTEC courses in both areas which are worth two GCSEs.  Students can also opt to study the Creative and Media Diploma which is worth seven GCSEs in total.  We are one of a few schools that have been allowed to offer this course.
Kit
Students should wear a practical kit for each lesson:
                 

 

If a student can’t bring their kit or have an injury, please write a note in their planner.  All students will usually be able to take part in some part of the lesson even if injured.


 

 

 

Extra Curricular Events
We have several Dance and Theatre companies who take part in a variety of events inside and out of school.  In the last year, students have performed at The Lowry, Salford, Salford University, Romiley Forum, Reddish Vale School’s Theatre, Bredbury Hall, several primary schools throughout Stockport and the Contact Theatre, Manchester. 
                


 There are also several ‘one off’ extra curricular projects that are again open to all students.  These are usually advertised during form times.  Events include:
Annual Production at Romiley Forum
Papa Panov – Christmas production for Year 7
Aladdin – Christmas production for Year 9
Dance and Drama Performance Evenings
National Schools’ Shakespeare Festival at the Contact Theatre, Manchester
Stockport Schools’ Drama Festival
Stockport Schools’ Dance Festival

Staff
We have a well qualified team of staff who have studied the Arts to degree level and beyond.  All of the staff have worked professionally in the field or have been part of amateur companies.  We have fully qualified and professionally recognised Speech and Drama and Dance teachers.   
Our Director of Specialism, Mrs Helen Butler, is also a Dance specialist and teaches within the department.


Head of Performing Arts (Dance and Drama)                           Miss J. Mcsheffrey
In Charge of Dance and Community Co-ordinator                  Miss K. Hibbert
Teacher of Expressive Arts and community (Drama)              Mrs A. Mood
Teacher of Expressive Arts and community (Dance)              Miss J. Fitton
Teacher of Expressive Arts                                                           Mrs G. Biggar

 

Cross Curricular Links
Performing Arts has several cross-curricular links in place.  In the last few months we have worked with:
Modern Foreign Languages – In collaboration with the MFL department and Manchester Metropolitan University we have produced a performance involving all of Year 9 students;
Special Educational Needs – We have devised and led workshops for staff focusing on how the Arts can be used to assist students with educational needs;
Science – we have worked closely with the Advanced Skills’ Teacher for Science in developing lessons that use Dance and Drama to teach Scientific concepts;
History – We have taken part in activity days with History based on World War 2:
Food Technology – developing a Bollywood theme activity day.

 

Drama Year 10/11
Students will study the Performing Arts’ BTEC: Acting.  This is worth the equivalent of two GCSEs.  Students will be awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction.  Students will study three modules.  This will usually be Devised Drama, Acting and Understanding Drama.  During the course the students will also work towards an Arts’ Award: Silver.

During the course students will be expected to create and perform their own theatre pieces for school and outside audiences.  These are usually assessed as part of the course.  Our current cohort have taken part in the following:

 

 

Performing and Visual Arts

 

View Dance Documents available on Kaleidos here

 

 

Quick search Departments

 

Art | Design & Technology | Food Technology | English | Expressive Arts | Geography | History | Languages | Physical Education | Personal & Social | Religious Studies | Science | Textiles | ICT | Mathematics | Transition Programme | SEN English | Applied Learning | Business Studies | Public Services | Tracks | Re-Start | Intervention | Health & Social Care | Media | Psychology