Drama & Dance
What is the curriculum trying to achieve?
The Performing Arts Faculty fully embraces The Downs School ethos of learning together, learning for life by incorporating the key values of engendering a love of learning, curiosity, resilience and respect; by providing equality of access and opportunity for success in all areas of learning.
Performing Arts is an inclusive faculty, creating an environment in which all students including those with SEND or from a disadvantaged background feel fully included and are challenged to achieve success – whilst being provided with support both in and outside of the classroom.
Drama and Dance have a distinctive contribution to make in a child’s personal development, and this is a vital part of our curriculum for educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow. Drama and Dance contribute to the development of students and the wider school curriculum by providing a powerful and distinctive form of communication and expression. Equality of access is at the heart of the curriculum and department - all pupils are encouraged and supported to participate in creating performances inside and outside of lessons irrespective of their background or need.
Drama and Dance exist as art forms in their own right - giving students the skills to become confident, expressive performers communicating both verbally and non-verbally. These performances involve expression, action, reaction, and interaction. Through classwork, students can explore their intellectual curiosity through a wide range of subject matter, responding to the world around them; finding opportunities to express themselves imaginatively both practically and theoretically. Both subjects nurture personal growth and develop intrapersonal skills: empathy, emotional intelligence, confidence, tolerance, imagination, resilience, reflection, and interpersonal skills: presentation, team building, analytical, evaluative, goal orientated, communication and problem solving.
How do we organise learning?
Each of our subjects organises learning to achieve our federation vision of ‘Educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow: a seamless education from 4 to 19’. Please click here to see a visual map of students’ planned ‘learning journey’ in drama and dance across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5.
To see more detail on what we teach at each Key Stage, please click the relevant links below:
Year 10 & 11 curriculum summary
Year 12 & 13 curriculum summary
GCSE Drama Eduqas http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/gcse/
A Level Drama Eduqas https://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/drama-and-theatre/as-a-level/
BTEC Technical Award Level 2 Pearson https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-tech-awards/performing-arts.html
BTEC Production Level 3 Pearson https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/production-arts-2010.html
Anything else?
If you have any questions about our curriculum or require more information, please contact the Head of Faculty by emailing contact@thedownsschool.org
