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Years 7 and 8 – Personal Development Curriculum: Performance Skills

In Years 7 and 8, Performance Skills are delivered as part of the Personal Development Curriculum. Students focus on performance and presentation skills, cooperation and trust, physical awareness and effective communication. The emphasis is on students utilising these skills across the curriculum..

Year 9 – Pre-Diploma: Creative & Media

Year 9 students follow a Pre-diploma course in Creative & Media, designed to give a “taste” of a Diploma-style learning experience working across a variety of Creative & Media disciplines on the themes of Urban/Rural. In terms of Performance Skills students explore scripted work and the page to stage process; vocal skills are also an integral part of the course. Students will have the opportunity to integrate their skills in Performance, Music, Media and Animation through extended group projects in the second half of the year.

Year 10 – Level 2 Diploma in Creative & Media: Performing Arts Pathway

This course forms the Principle Learning of the Creative & Media Diploma. Students specialise in the performing arts as well as exploring other Creative & Media disciplines such as advertising, creative writing and graphic design. The course is made up of six coursework units; Scene, Performance, Artefact, Record, Campaign and Festival, and one externally examined unit; Project Report. Each one allows students to explore skills, processes and practices in particular disciplines and then apply that learning to a project, for example planning and running a campaign to lower energy use within the school, creating and performing a multidisciplinary performance piece in response to a commission. Emphasis is also placed on the skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life, whether this be in performing arts related industries or not. All students automatically become members of NIPA (Nexus International Performing Arts) our in-house performance group and are expected to wear their NIPA uniform on Principle Learning Days.

In conjunction with; Additional and Specialist Learning (eg. another GCSE or BTEC First Certificate); Functional skills in English, Maths and ICT; Personal Learning and Thinking Skills; 10 days work experience and an Extended Project, the Level 2 Diploma is equivalent to 7.5 GCSE’s

Year 11 - BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts: Performance

The course aims to develop a student’s ability across the performing arts through the effective use and combination of a wide range of skills. All students follow units in Performing Arts Business and Production Processes, optional units include: Devising, Scripted Plays, Performing Dance, Musical Theatre, Lighting and Sound Operations, Design for Performance and Make-up for Stage Performance. Emphasis is also placed on the skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life, whether this be in performing arts related industries or not.

Students are assessed continually throughout both years of the course and have the opportunity to revisit areas in order to improve their marks. All students automatically become members of NIPA (Nexus International Performing Arts) our in-house performance group and are expected to wear their NIPA uniform on Principle Learning Days.

The BTEC First Diploma qualification is equivalent to 4 GCSEs.

Year 12 and 13 - BTEC National Award in Performing Arts: Acting

This course aims to build on the strengths and achievements gained in Years 10 and 11, and is open to students from across the Kingswood Partnership. The aim is to further develop a student’s ability across the performing arts and underpin practical knowledge and understanding with practitioner theory. Although students follow the Acting pathway, the course focuses on all areas of the performing arts.

Units studied include: Principles of Acting, Devising Plays, Musical Theatre, Choreographic Principles and Performing to an Audience. Students' work is assessed continually throughout both years of the course through a variety of workshops, performances, written assignments and presentations.

The BTEC National Award is equivalent to 1 A level - both years of the course must be completed in order to gain the qualification.

General

Throughout the year we run theatre trips and workshops with visiting practitioners for 14-19 students. Key Stage 3 students have an annual performance by Travelling Light Theatre in Education Company. NIPA also produce a regular programme of performances both at SBL and across South Glos.