Performing Arts

“Use what talents you possess, the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best.” – Henry Van Dyke

The Performing Arts Faculty at Arrow Vale is an inspiring and thriving faculty with huge opportunities to offer pupils wishing to explore Drama or Music. Pupils are delivered an engaging curriculum that challenges them and teaches them the skills and understanding of performance to create innovative and imaginative work.

The faculty offers a range of extra-curricular activities which give students the opportunity to collaborate with students from other year groups as well as giving them the chance to perform.

Director of Learning and Standards:

Mr D Hunt

Year 9

In Drama in Year 9 we start by studying a unit called Introduction to Drama, in which we look at theatrical conventions and different stimuli. We begin to explore key Drama skills such as performance, analysing text, directing and evaluation.

We go on to study the contemporary plays Blood Brothers and DNA as well as three Shakespearean plays, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

In Music in year 9 students develop their performance skills by playing the ukulele and keyboard. We study Pop Music from the 1950’s to the present day as well as Film Music. They also develop their composition skills using computer software which they then use to compose the soundtrack to a film clip.

Key Stage 4

Both Drama and Music use the RSL exam board.

In Drama students complete a Level 2 RSL Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts.

Throughout the course students develop their Analysis and Performance skills, completing Units on Performing a Text and a Live Performance Unit.

In Music students complete a Level 2 RSL Diploma in Music Performance, completing the Units: Musical Knowledge, Composition and Live Performance.

Key Stage 5

In Drama students complete a Level 3 RSL Extended Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts.

They study units including Audition Techniques, planning for a career in the Creative and Performing Arts, Working with Masks or Puppetry, Contemporary Theatre, Approaches to Acting, Drama in the Community and the Final Performance Unit

In Music students complete a Level 3 RSL Diploma in Music Performance. Preparing for a Career in Music, Auditioning for Music, Music Management, Lead Performer, leading a Music Making Activity, and the Final Performance Unit

Enrichment

The Performing Arts Faculty has a wealth of enrichment activities, some of which include:

Drama Clubs
Visits to the Globe Theatre
Live theatre trips
Numerous music clubs such as Ukulele Club, Keyboard Club and Choir.

The Performing Arts faculty prides itself on developing the whole individual and ensures that pupils have the chance to access opportunities where they can have cultural experiences to develop themselves as performers further and their understanding of the world through Performing Arts.

Facilities

The Performing Arts Faculty has two classrooms where most lessons and workshops take place in, a radio broadcasting room for any keen radio presenters and we also have access to a fully equipped dance studio for any students wanting to pursue their interests in dance. We also have an amazing theatre which can accommodate up to 180 audience members and is a resource that we use for all our termly shows as well as the performance aspects of the RSL courses.

All the facilities and equipment at RSA Arrow Vale gives the students the chance to explore avenues of performance in a professional environment to further develop their understanding of performance and the preparation behind it.

On Wednesday 18th January, Arrow Vale Drama Club performed their original work for Holocaust Memorial Day. The performance shares part of a holocaust survivors story. This survivor is Zigi Shipper who reminds us ‘There is nothing we can do about the past, but we can do a lot about the present and the future.’

The performance took inspiration from workshops with Cate Hollis, Artistic Director from Voices of the Holocaust.

SMSC in Performing Arts

Spiritual

Spiritual education is woven into the taught curriculum and extracurricular activities in the Performing Arts department. The premise of both Music and Drama is to inspire students to achieve their best in a creative way; to develop confidence; and to develop their understanding of themselves. All the schemes of work give the opportunity for students to develop their spirituality.

Moral

Moral development in the Performing Arts department involves developing an understanding of what is universally right or wrong. We cover this from several angles and perspectives covering prejudice and other moral dilemmas.

Social

Social education in the Performing Arts department is a key focus, looking at how to develop the students into mature, confident, young adults. Every piece of work completed within the Performing Arts department looks at the social impact or development of different events.

Cultural

Cultural education in the Performing Arts department involves exploring styles of music and theatre which students may not otherwise experience