Art

(Key Stage 3)

Pupils explore ideas using a range of media and techniques. Each year pupils learn about the use of the visual elements - line, tone, colour, form, pattern, texture, composition amd perspective.Pupils also look at the work of western and non-western artists.
Homework is set termly following set themes such as "manmade forms, natural forms etc.
Pupils keep their work in sketchbooks. Final pieces may be 2D or 3D.

Art & Design (GCSE)

“Art & Design” is involved in nearly everything we see and use. It plays a part in a variety of jobs (catering, beauty therapy, teaching, etc.) as well as being essential to the wide range of work in the Art & Design field itself (Graphics, Product Design, Architecture, Fashion, Theatre and T.V. to name but some). It influences all our lives either as individuals or members of the community, and as consumers .

How the course is organised:

Thematic Work - A range of opportunities exists for developing work from a particular theme using a range of media in two or three dimensions.
Expressive Work - will result from a pupil's emotional response to an idea, issue or theme. This might be evident in such factors as the manipulation of materials, the choice of imagery and the handling of colour and mood.

Design Based Work - Work will be developed in response to a particular design brief. The work is likely to take into account issues such as function, the target audience and the practicality of the design solution.

All project ideas will be developed from research, observational drawing, explorations of media and reference to appropriate artists, designers or craftspeople.


Homework/Equipment/How parents can help

Homework will support the themes/subjects and be the time when students will do much of their preparation/preliminary work. It is essential for all students to have their own materials for use at home and in school - pencils, watercolours, coloured pencils and fine line pens, etc. They must also have a sketchbook for homework and preparation work. Students will be able to buy an A2 plastic folder together with basic materials as a 'pack' from school. The folder is a very good way of protecting coursework between home and school.

GCSE Assessment

Students will be entered for GCSE Art & Design (Grades A* - G) and will need to fulfil the following requirements:
Paper 1: Coursework (60%)

Students must present two, three or four units of coursework (depending on quality and quantitiy) which together satisfy the requirements of the course. They will have help in making this selection and it is expected to be their best work. A unit of coursework shows evidence of 'preliminary work' (e.g. studies, notes, sketches, exploration of different ideas) and the production of a final piece (this work is presented in sketchbooks which can be bought from the Art Department).

Paper II: Controlled Test (40%)

Students will choose one subject/theme from a list set by the exam board. They will have time to prepare a 'preliminary studies/ideas' which they will use in the final exam (10 hours over 2 days).

After GCSE

we can offer a range of Sixth Form courses; these include the traditional Art A-Level and AVCE Art & Design - a Vocational A-level that is now similar in structure to the A-level but broader in terms of type of work to be completed. To gain success at A level students must be dedicated and prepared to work in their own time. Being prepared to ‘look’ for ideas and being aware of other Artists’ work helps students develop ideas and gain inspiration. During the year, on both courses, exhibitions of students’ work take place as well as visits to galleries. Artists also come into school to give workshops. It is essential to have done Art at GCSE, although students who have previously done Textiles at GCSE can meet the demands of the course.

 

Dance

(Key Stage 3)

Periods Per Week
Pupils have two periods of Dance a week in single sex groups taught as a 5 week block in rotation. Dance in years 7, 8 and 9 is taught in the PE Department.

Parental Support
Parents can help by ensuring that pupils bring kit and encourage participation in extra-curricular activities.

Extra-curricular Activities
Wednesday
'Shooting Stars', (Waterleat Road Centre) Auditions held each term

Mondays 3 - 4.15pm, Borough Road Centre
'Attitude' Dance Company. Entry by audition only. Auditions held in September and April.

GCSE Dance will give you the opportunity to acquire skills in a new art form and widen your understanding of dance and its many forms.

Dance will enable you to interpret images/ideas/concepts within a group and develop independent study skills.

Dance can be defined as the study of practical, theoretical and creative skills within the art form.

You will:

Examples of Study Areas:

• Modern
  Jazz
  Contemporary
  Post Modern

• Professional Dance Works
• Professional Dance Companies
• Good Stuido Practice
• Health, Safety and Injury Prevention for the Dancer
• Dance Performance

Documents are in PDF Format. If you don't have a .pdf reader get one free here >>Adobe PDF Reader<<

AS and A2 Level Drama Leaflet 200 :: Download Information Here>>

BTEC National Award in Dance Leaflet 2008 :: Download Here>>

BTEC National Certificate in Production Arts Leaflet :: Download Here>>

(BTEC FIRST CERTIFICATE) 

Dance is taught as an art form at Key stage 4. The BTEC First Certificate in dance is a practical dance course. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.

 A BTEC First Certificate is equivalent to two GCSEs grades A* - C and can be studied alongside other subjects. The course is delivered over 180 guided learning hours – equal to three lessons a week for two years.

 The course is made up of three units - one core unit and two specialist units. The specialist units enable you to study particular areas in more depth. You will have the opportunity to go and watch live dance and musicals at the theatre and take part in professional workshops.

CORE UNIT
Performing Dance

SPECIALIST UNITS - two from the following

CORE UNIT PERFORMING DANCE

In this unit you rehearse and perform choreographed dance pieces. It will enable you demonstrate different styles of dance in short performances.  

SPECIALIST UNITS  

Jazz Dance You will perform a range of work demonstrating an understanding of Jazz dance styles and techniques.

Contemporary Dance This unit is about developing dance technique in one contemporary dance style. You will take regular technique classes and demonstrate you skills in performance pieces

Understanding Dance You will study dance practitioners across a range of dance styles and analyse professional dance works by different companies/choreographers. You will also learn about dance conventions, choreography and dance anatomy.

Musical Theatre You will study the use of dance and techniques in both Broadway and West End Musicals. You will learn dance repertoire and perform pieces from a range of musical theatre styles.

 ASSESSMENT

The work will be both practical and written. Homework will be set in both areas. All units are assessed and graded using pass, merit and distinction and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded.

 WHERE COULD YOU GO NEXT?

You could progress onto the BTEC National Award in Dance Level 3 and/or A level performing Arts or other Arts subjects in the sixth form. Students with further training go into careers in Dance and the Performing Arts industries such as – theatre, television, choreography, arts administration. Careers in teaching, physiotherapy, journalism, and retail are also possibilities. Dance gives you skills to communicate and express yourself which are needed for all careers dealing with the public.  

Head of Dance: Mrs S Dale

Music

Music (Key Stage 3)
Topics covered in Years 7, 8 and 9 include:

Blues and Jazz
Musical Cliches
War and Music
Musicals
Bridging the Gap
Performing Together
African Cycles
Graphic Scores
Theme and Variation
Rondos and Recurring Structures
Japanese Music
GCSE Project
Arranging Music
Compound Time and Folk Music

Periods per week
Students in Years 7 - 9 have one period of Music per week in mixed ability groups.
Parental Support
Parents can help by encouraging students to attend individual instrumental lessons, extra curricular bands/choirs.

Extra-curricular Activities

Years 7 & 8 After School Band
Years 7 & 8 Gospel Choir, Waterleat Road
Years 7 & 8 Recorder Club
Years 7 & 8 Band, After school Waterleat Road
Years 7 & 8 Instrumental Lessons - during school time

Music (GCSE)

The content of the course is centred around three elements:

a) Performing one solo one ensemble
b) Composing 2 pieces (3 minutes each)
c) Listening - 1 hour

The course consists of a double and a single period per week. The single period is devoted to the listening content of the examination and is taught through activities such as discussion of pieces heard from a historical and instrumental context, relevant theory, and practice use of past papers.
The double period is devoted to preparing compositions and performances for submission as coursework. This takes the format of formal lessons in composition, but a large proportion of the time is devoted to developing the student's interest on an individual basis. Students will also research set genres/styles within music.

GCSE Assessment
Coursework - 60%
Written Examination - 25%
Terminal Task - 15%
Terminal Task - Pupils develop a compositional stimuli set by the Examinations Board. The test is given under examination conditions.

Head of Music: Mr A Morris

Head of Creative & Expressive Art: Mrs S Dale