Performing Arts (Music & Drama)
Performing Arts Department Ethos
To develop the potential of all students, through engaging, challenging and rewarding lessons and extra curricular activities, whatever their innate level of ability or ‘talent’. At KS3 we seek to engender a passion for the process of creating, performing and evaluating across disciplines. At KS4/5 we aim to build on this with an appropriately academic and practical approach to the study of Drama and/or Music, developing students into fully rounded, creative young adults ready for higher education or employment. The performing arts are a powerful form of communication and expression; involvement in them helps to foster a positive attitude and improves emotional wellbeing. Additionally, we support students in the development of thinking skills, increased perception, imagination, creativity and physical coordination skills which can be transferred to other areas of experience and learning.
The Performing Arts department at Christleton aims to provide students with a safe, friendly and creative community in which they can develop and improve their skills.
For details about extra-curricular Performing Arts, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Performing Arts in KS3 (Years 7-9)
In Year 7 & 8, students have two lessons per fortnight of Performing Arts. In Year 9, this increases to 3 lessons per fortnight.
Practical music sessions in KS3 include music composition, ukulele, percussion, keyboard skills and singing. Additionally, we cover music from a wide variety of cultural and historical areas as well as engaging students with the consistent use of music technology to support their learning. Students also study drama techniques and strategies in a variety of challenging contexts. Learning in drama develops communication skills, confidence and encourages collaboration and teamwork. Various themes are used as stimuli including ‘Darkwood Manor’ (Haunted House), ‘WWII Evacuation’, ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ (Alan Ayckbourn) and ‘Macbeth’.
Music in KS4 (Years 10-11)
From Year 10, Music is an optional subject for those students wishing to study it at GCSE level. Here the focus is divided between Performing, Composing and Listening. GCSE Music is available to all students who have a passion for the subject, regardless of their practical ability level. Relatively small class sizes and subject specialists make for a very positive experience for students. Our chosen exam board at GCSE level is OCR, which looks like this:
Components
There are three components which make up the GCSE Music course, as follows:
- Component 1: Listening. Students will gain experience of a wide range of musical styles and genres, and will also learn more about how music works. An exam at the end of Year 11 will test knowledge on this (40%) - written exam
- Component 2: Performing. Students will perform and record music for a total of 4 minutes on their chosen instrument or voice. Music can be in any style and of a standard which is appropriate to the student. (30%) - coursework
- Component 3: Composing. Students will compose 2 pieces of music in a style of their choice, using whichever musical resources they wish. (30%) - coursework
Feedback from students has told us that they consider GCSE music lessons to be quite different from other lessons and a pleasant change within the school timetable. Lessons are highly personalised to the interests and skills of each individual student and results are excellent.
Drama in KS4 (Years 10-11)
Students who opt to study the subject in Years 10 & 11, will work towards a GCSE in Drama, over 5 hours per fortnight. Students have the option of focussing on Performance or Design skills in two of the three units. GCSE Drama is available to all students who have a passion for the subject, regardless of their practical ability level. Relatively small class sizes and subject specialists make for a very positive experience for students. Our chosen exam board at GCSE level is AQA, which looks like this:
Components
There are three components which make up the GCSE Music course, as follows:
- Component 1: Understanding Drama (40% Written Exam - End of Year 11):
- Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
- Study of one set play from a choice of six
- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers
- Component 2: Devising Drama (40% Practical Coursework - Year 10):
- Process of creating devised drama
- Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer or designer)
- Analysis and evaluation of own work
- Component 3: Texts in Practice (20% Practical Coursework - Year 11):
- Performance of two extracts from one play (students may contribute as performer or designer)
Extra-Curricular Performing Arts in all Years
In addition to academic Performing Arts lessons, there is also a significant provision for extra-curricular activities at Christleton High School.
We have a team of ten specialist music tutors offering one-to-one weekly, practical tuition in almost any instrument. The cost of these lessons is heavily subsidised by the school. Weekly ensembles include a Concert Band, Choir, Saxophone Group, Flute Group, Clarinet Group, Brass Group, String Group and Guitar Group.
REACH, a weekly Drama Club for Year 7 & 8 students, is run by a team of sixth form Performing Arts students and is very popular.
Annual Music & Performing Arts Events
- Open Mic Night, All Years (February)
- Spring Music Concert, All Years (April/May)
- Lower School Production, Years 7-10 (June)
- Upper School Production, Years 11-13 (November)
- Christmas Music Concert, All Years (December)
- Key Stage 3/Key Stage 4/Key Stage 5 Music Recitals (Throughout the year)
Downloads
| Title | |
| A Level Drama Curriculum Map | Download |
| A Level Music Curriculum Map | Download |
| Curriculum Overview | Download |
| GCSE Drama Curriculum Map | Download |
| GCSE Music Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Drama - Year 7 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Drama - Year 8 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Drama - Year 9 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Music - Year 7 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Music - Year 8 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Music - Year 9 Curriculum Map | Download |
| KS3 Music and Drama Assessment Grids | Download |
Useful Links
| Title | |
| Key Stage 4 Music |  Visit website |
| Key Stage 4 Drama | Visit website |