The Arts

Extra-Curricular 

Performing Arts at Redden Court School is an exciting department where you will be given the opportunity to explore creative arts in both lessons and in the numerous extra-curricular opportunities that we have to offer.

Each year we put on a Christmas concert and Summer showcase and one of our biggest events on our calendar is the annual school production. Previous productions include ‘Annie’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and most recently ‘Mary Poppins Jr’. 

There is something for everyone in Performing Arts whether you like acting, dancing, singing or playing a musical instrument, we always ensure that we create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everybody can get involved no matter how much experience they have.  We will help you to discover new talents and share these with others throughout the year.

The Performing Arts department at Redden Court School seeks to actively involve students in the exploration of Drama, Dance and Music. Students must work together in an imaginative and creative manner. We believe that this form of creative cooperation has an important role to play in personal and social development of students. Participation in the Performing Arts experience can lead to emergence of self-confidence, with an increasing awareness of oneself and the need of others. The subject enhances students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, promotes British values and makes a significant contribution to students as speakers and listeners. 

The Performing Arts scheme of work for Key Stage 3 is a progressive system that allows, in as much as possible, for concepts to be revised. The current schemes of work appear to satisfy the needs of students of all abilities. It is also sufficiently demanding to test the more able students to the full, and encourage those of average abilities and below to new levels of achievement.

At KS3, students have the opportunity to explore Drama, Music and Dance in their Performing Arts lessons. In Year 7, students begin the course by developing key performance skills and learning about the basics of music. We then move on to developing students’ devising and characterisation skills as they go on a journey to Darkwood Manor. In the Autumn term we continue to develop the students’ devising and storytelling skills by focusing on traditional and modern fairy tales – and the music that can help to bring them to life. In the Spring term we incorporate all Performing Art disciplines in a Musical Theatre SOW, which explores a number of West End musicals such as ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘School of Rock’, where students compose and perform their own rock song. Towards the end of this unit of work we link the lessons to the annual school production and provide the students the chance to watch and review a live theatre performance. In the Summer term the students focus on their use of physicality and the expression of their movement, we look at Greek Myth and Legends and develop this further with the use of Trestle Masks. 

In Year 8, students begin the year studying Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, by exploring the use of voice and learning how to create an atmosphere on stage through the use of Music. We move on to focus on script work, linking in component 2 from GCSE Drama course, and we spend time bringing scripts to life where effective storytelling is explored both through Music and Drama. In the Spring term we focus on physical theatre, looking at theatre companies ‘Frantic Assembly’ and ‘PUSH’. In this scheme of work students advance their physical, technical and expressive skills and are able to communicate choreographic intention.  We finish the year with our stage fighting unit exploring William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and compare and contrast this play with Leonard Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’.

Year 9 Arts Carousel 

In year 9 students go on an Arts rotation where they are able to study a number of subjects available to them in KS4. In the Performing Arts students study Drama and Music separately. 

In Drama, year 9 students complete two projects linked directly to the WJEC Eduqas GCSE Drama syllabus. The first is entitled, Introduction to GCSE Drama, where students learn how to devise their own performances in a whole class setting.  Students develop their understanding of how to use explorative strategies, elements and mediums to create a performance and complete a mini portofolio to document the development of ideas. In the second rotation, students practical explore the GCSE set text ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly. 

In Music, year 9 students complete two units which introduce them to key concepts and skills needed for the GCSE Music course. The first unit of work is called  ‘Music Performance - Pop’. Lessons include both practical and theory elements and introduce students to Notation, Chords and Rhythm. This unit also has a heavy focus on performance development in both Keyboard and Drum Kit. Students learn how to play a Pop Song whilst also gaining a knowledge of the key features linked to this genre. In the second rotation students study a Unit titled ‘Film Music - Composition’.  This unit allows students to explore composition through the use of Music ICT and introduces them to skills in creating, developing and structuring  their own ideas.  Students also gain knowledge of the Elements of Music and how they can be used to create mood and atmosphere in Film Music.

Our current KS4 students follow the WJEC Eduqas GCSE Drama specification. 

At Key Stage 4, students have the opportunity to explore scripted and devised work and frequently have the opportunity to showcase their work to others.  Every year we always strive to work with as many professional actors and companies as possible.  Workshops are often organised for our students where professionals in the industry run workshops for students to learn more about the acting world.  

We understand the importance and value of students experiencing live theatre and evaluating from the perspective of a member of the audience, therefore GCSE Drama students will be taken to see a professional piece of theatre at least once a year. 

The Performing Arts scheme of work for Key Stage 3 is a progressive system that allows, in as much as possible, for concepts to be revised. The current schemes of work appear to satisfy the needs of students of all abilities. It is also sufficiently demanding to test the more able students to the full, and encourage those of average abilities and below to new levels of achievement.

At KS3, students have the opportunity to explore Drama, Music and Dance in their Performing Arts lessons. In Year 7, students begin the course by developing key performance skills and learning about the basics of music. We then move on to developing students’ devising and characterisation skills as they go on a journey to Darkwood Manor. In the Autumn term we continue to develop the students’ devising and storytelling skills by focusing on traditional and modern fairy tales – and the music that can help to bring them to life. In the Spring term we incorporate all Performing Art disciplines in a Musical Theatre SOW, which explores a number of West End musicals such as ‘Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘School of Rock’, where students compose and perform their own rock song. Towards the end of this unit of work we link the lessons to the annual school production and provide the students the chance to watch and review a live theatre performance. In the Summer term the students focus on their use of physicality and the expression of their movement, we look at Greek Myth and Legends and develop this further with the use of Trestle Masks. 

In Year 8, students begin the year studying Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, by exploring the use of voice and learning how to create an atmosphere on stage through the use of Music. We move on to focus on script work, linking in component 2 from GCSE Drama course, and we spend time bringing scripts to life where effective storytelling is explored both through Music and Drama. In the Spring term we focus on physical theatre, looking at theatre companies ‘Frantic Assembly’ and ‘PUSH’. In this scheme of work students advance their physical, technical and expressive skills and are able to communicate choreographic intention.  We finish the year with our stage fighting unit exploring William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and compare and contrast this play with Leonard Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’.

Year 9 Arts Carousel 

In year 9 students go on an Arts rotation where they are able to study a number of subjects available to them in KS4. In the Performing Arts students study Drama and Music separately. 

In Drama, year 9 students complete two projects linked directly to the WJEC Eduqas GCSE Drama syllabus. The first is entitled, Introduction to GCSE Drama, where students learn how to devise their own performances in a whole class setting.  Students develop their understanding of how to use explorative strategies, elements and mediums to create a performance and complete a mini portofolio to document the development of ideas. In the second rotation, students practical explore the GCSE set text ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly. 

In Music, year 9 students complete two units which introduce them to key concepts and skills needed for the GCSE Music course. The first unit of work is called  ‘Music Performance - Pop’. Lessons include both practical and theory elements and introduce students to Notation, Chords and Rhythm. This unit also has a heavy focus on performance development in both Keyboard and Drum Kit. Students learn how to play a Pop Song whilst also gaining a knowledge of the key features linked to this genre. In the second rotation students study a Unit titled ‘Film Music - Composition’.  This unit allows students to explore composition through the use of Music ICT and introduces them to skills in creating, developing and structuring  their own ideas.  Students also gain knowledge of the Elements of Music and how they can be used to create mood and atmosphere in Film Music.

All of our current music classes follow the OCR’s GCSE (9–1) specification in Music, providing a contemporary, accessible and creative education in Music with an integrated approach to the three main elements – performing, composing and appraising. There are numerous opportunities to perform, both in lessons and outside of the classroom and students are encouraged to develop their technique and skills both as a soloist and as part of an ensemble.  As a department, we encourage GCSE musicians to take part in extra-curricular events such as concerts and productions.  Using the available facilities, students learn how to compose and create their own extended compositions and are able to explore and pursue styles and conventions which are of interest to them.  They are given the opportunity to work with Music Software including Garage Band as well as live recording and mixing of their work.  As part of the GCSE course, students study 5 areas of study which give them a knowledge of a variety of  time periods, cultures and genres.  The course gives a broad musical education whilst also allowing students to focus their individual talents and skills.

All Key Stage Three Art students are introduced to a range of artists and methods and, each year, develop fundamental skills in; drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture work and new media. Engaging schemes of work are taught that include ‘The Life of Van Gogh’, ‘Portraiture and Identity’ and ‘The Architecture Around Me’. Students build on their knowledge and understanding of technical processes throughout Key Stage Three, but are also encouraged to work creatively and independently, expressing their views and ideas. Contextual study in Art begins in Year 7, to build critical awareness around each topic and develop students’ art vocabulary, and this continues throughout. Trips, visiting artist workshops and gallery visits all support students’ Art development. 

At Key Stage Four, students are engaged with practical, creative work from the outset. New techniques are learned as well as ways of thinking and looking. Making and expressing ideas are at the forefront of the course. The course is ‘hands-on’ and over the two years each student will generate the body of work that is needed to satisfy Edexcel’s assessment criteria. 

In Years 10 and 11 students will study artists and designers from many disciplines and cultures and will be presenting investigations and research in sketchbooks. Students will develop skills as needed in order to pursue personalised and relevant lines of study and build successful portfolios.  Trips, visiting artist workshops and gallery visits all support students’ Art portfolios. As well as practical skills, students develop their ability to work and think independently and leave equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to pursue further education and career pathways in any creative industry.  

Head of Faculty and Subject Leader for Art

Miss C. Greenland

Subject Leader for Performing Arts

Miss E. Buntrock

Teacher of Performing Arts

Mrs N. Parry

Subject Leader for Music

Mr M. Crawford

Teacher of Art

Miss G. Copeman

Art Technician

Mrs K. Weaver