Performing Arts

Intent

Drama is exposure; it is confrontation; it is contradiction, and it leads to analysis, construction, recognition, and eventually to an awakening of understanding.’

Peter Brook

Curriculum Rationale: Drama (Performing Arts)

Powerful knowledge in Drama – Why do we teach these concepts?

Rooted in the exploration of a variety of styles of drama developed throughout time, the study of drama at King’s Lynn Academy will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in drama expression and creativity, confidence through practice and performance and the analysis of the power of drama. Through linking these styles of drama throughout time, this will allow students to develop their understanding of the progression of the performing arts industry and its influence on the world that we live in today.

In reflection of this, students throughout their drama education will develop both their analytical and communication skills. During lessons, students will frequently share their responses and in-depth descriptions and analysis of a range of drama elements when participating in various drama explorative exercises as well as occasionally studying video examples. This will enable them to think critically and draw ideas and inspiration from different explorative exercises as well as video examples allowing them to set themselves and their peers clear targets to improve their own skills in both explorative tasks and performance.

During their time at King’s Lynn Academy, students are offered the opportunity to create, explore and gain performance experience. This aims to inspire students to take interest in different aspects of the performing arts industry. Lessons and extra-curricular events will support students in their independent practice and inspire them further by exposing them to a range of styles and genres as well as live performance.

As well as a practical performance, students will also identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses regarding their performance and stating how they could develop and improve next time. Students will also show knowledge that has been retained by answering a variety of questions related to their current topic. This, similarly, to the performing aspect, will be of different styles throughout a variety of projects. Starting with exploring basic physical and vocal skills in Year 7 to creating a devised theatre performance in Year 9. This will develop student’s creativity and allow the freedom of expression to build on skills needed as future thespians.

Students throughout their time at King’s Lynn Academy will be encouraged to pursue their interest in drama further through the attendance of extra-curricular activities. This will include the involvement in school performances beginning with The Christmas Concert followed by The School Musical and ending with a celebration of talent in The Summer Concert. Alongside this, Drama also hosts a weekly musical film club session as well as a PA games club. These activities aim to enhance and build on the skills developed within Drama lessons and allow students to work with others to produce and perform drama performances that they are proud of.

Curriculum Features - How do we embed the learning?

The Drama curriculum is embedded by:

A series of systematically planned lessons that frequently link to the knowledge and skills covered previously.
Tasks such as practical explorative exercises, short games and questions at the start of every lesson to recap prior leaning.
Encouraging student to be confident, brave, supportive, respectful and empathetic during performance tasks.
Developing awareness of diversity and students being asked to be respectful of different cultures, time periods and ways of life that differ to their own.
Developing communication skills whilst working as part of a team.
Being expected to think and/or work independently when developing a character and self-reflect on their own work during performance tasks and evaluation.
Exposing students to a wide breadth of different aspects of the performing arts including physical and vocal skills, musical theatre, acting practitioners, improvisation, script work, devised theatre and technical theatre.
Exposing students to professionals from the industry to hear first hand accounts of the world of Performing Arts.

Curriculum Enrichment – How do we link with other subjects and offer experiences?

Whilst studying drama at King’s Lynn Academy, students will naturally link the concepts behind this to other subjects. Frequent discussions and analysis of different styles of drama often coincide with discussions around geographical location, historical factors, languages, as well as the social and moral aspects relating to PSHE. Further to this, with consistent exploration of drama elements students will also develop their use of vocabulary to provide in-depth descriptions and analysis of drama.

Working as one with the Performing Arts department, extra-curricular events will occur termly beginning with The Christmas Concert followed by The School Musical and ending with a celebration of talent in The Summer Concert. Alongside this, students have opportunity to join a weekly choir practise where they will be working with their peers to rehearse and perform an arrangement of songs, as well as weekly film clubs where students can indulge themselves in movie musicals.

At King’s Lynn Academy we also pride ourselves on endeavouring to secure leading industry professionals to come and speak to our students about the role of responsibility they have in the performing arts industry.

External events include as many theatre trips as possible to King’s Lynn, Norwich, London and other local events that will be beneficial to our student’s development.

Careers – How do we explicitly and implicitly teach careers in Drama?

During drama lessons, students will have opportunity to explore and develop skills in many different areas within the performing arts industry. This includes careers such as directing, performing (as an actor or a musical theatre performer), technical theatre, choreographer, lyricist, dancer, teacher, agents, and playwright.