CURRICULUM
VOCATIONAL
Pupils study classes in all aspects of the performing arts and are taught by experienced tutors and industry professionals.
Classes focus on developing technique whilst rehearsals focus on performance skills.
ACADEMIC
You can be sure your child will achieve to the best of their academic ability and will always feel valued.
Excellent teachers, small classes and a holistic approach is what enables our pupils to succeed.
PASTORAL
The quality of pastoral care throughout the school ensures that pupils feel individually valued within the ethos of a caring family atmosphere, and it makes a strong contribution to the pupils' personal development.
VOCATIONAL
DANCE:
Ballet; Jazz; Tap; Urban; acrobatics; contemporary; choreography, practitioners; dance theory;
GCSE Dance.
DRAMA:
Acting for stage and screen; text and script analysis; voice and speech; audition technique; theatre history; acting theories and techniques: LAMDA (up to grade 8 - A level equivalent).
GCSE Drama.
MUSIC:
Vocal technique; sight singing; musical theatre. Trinity Guildhall Musical Theatre (up to grade 8 - A level equivalent). ABRSM music theory exams.
Singing, microphone technique; composition; keyboards, drums and guitar.
CREATIVE ARTS:
Drawing, painting and print making, photography, textiles and film making - visiting artists share their knowledge.
TECHNICAL:
Some senior pupils may opt to go down a technical route and instruction is available to them in sound, lighting and stage management. These pupils gain hands on experience in our theatre and recording studio on digital and analogue systems.
ACADEMIC
ENGLISH
English Language is taught through Literature which helps to stimulate the imagination of our pupils, develop their critical abilities and increase their emotional awareness. When pupils respond personally to the novels and scripts they are given, they become increasingly confident about expressing their own ideas and emotions in English and therefore develop a love of literature.
MATHEMATICS
Pupils study number, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability, and discrete maths. They become confident in using mathematics to analyse and solve problems both in school and in real-life situations. Maths is useful, beautiful and powerful and it permeates the world around us. ICT tools are available and can include graphic display calculators, screenshots, graphing, spreadsheets, databases and word-processing software.
SCIENCE
We teach chemistry, physics and biology as separate subjects. All pupils develop a zest for science and are encouraged to explore the effect it has in their everyday lives. Science is amazing. It helps us to make sense of our world.
BUSINESS
Our pupils are taught how the world of business works. Together with their training in the performing arts and communication skills, this gives them the edge when it comes to interviewing for work, understanding what it means to be self employed or starting their own business.
LANGUAGE
French or Spanish are taught up to the end of year 8 and include culture, history and music of the country.
HUMANITIES
Humanities are taught standalone and cross curricular through Literature, Drama, Art, Music, Dance, Science and Lifeskills.
GCSEs
Pupils sit GCSEs plus vocational exams
GCSE Subjects offered are: English; Maths; Science (double award); English Literature; Business; Dance. Drama.
Vocational exams offered are: LAMDA speech and drama (up to grade 8 – A level equivalent); Trinity Guildhall Musical Theatre (up to Grade 8 – A level equivalent) and ABRSM music theory (up to grade 5 – GCSE equivalent).
PASTORAL
The personal development of the pupils is a strength of the school and reflects the school's aims to promote individual self-belief. By the time pupils leave the school, they have grown in confidence and they feel ready to embrace the next stage of their education, whether in further academic study or in the performing arts arena. They are tolerant and considerate towards each other and are enthusiastic about exploring the future awaiting them.
PASTORAL LEADS:
Megan McNamara
Melissa Gillespie
Lidia Huerta
Zoe Karp
PUPIL WELLBEING CHAMPIONS:
Lucia Jerez
Harini Prasad
ADDITIONAL NEEDS
All pupils are regularly assessed so that those who may require support, or who are gifted and talented, are identified. The school's SENDCO compiles IEPs, liaises with teachers and arranges extra tuition if parents request this.
Gifted and talented pupils may be fast tracked and offered additional classes in their specialities.
Academic and vocational teachers endeavour to ensure they take appropriate action to address each individual pupil's needs.
Small group classes, one to one's, homework club and catch-up sessions are timetabled for pupils when necessary. The school liaises with tutors when pupils are working professionally.
When a child demonstrates a potential talent in any aspect of the performing arts we are committed to enabling that child to develop that talent.
LIFE SKILLS
We aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge they need to lead a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. Our Life skills scheme of work encompasses many topics and is taught as a weekly class as well as in tutor group and cross curricular.
Topics include: personal finance; careers; healthy eating; RSE; bullying: staying safe online; relationships; tolerance and British Values….
WELLBEING AND MINDFULNESS