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Performing Arts provide a valuable part of the education and enrichment at King’s.
Performers work with outstanding teachers and practitioners to hone their skills, rehearse pieces and, ultimately, to face the challenge of performances and exams. Drama is both exuberant and rigorous; standards are high and much is expected of those who undertake this testing but fulfilling process.
For well over a decade, the School’s Drama Department has been teaching Drama in the curriculum both at GCSE and in the Sixth Form. In September 2019, BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Performing Arts was introduced to the curriculum offering the pupils an excellent opportunity to develop a wide and marketable set of performance skills. It allows pupils to work independently and focus on their strengths, but also to develop an interest in new and exciting performance techniques.
In September 2020, drama was introduced into the curriculum for the 3rd Form for the first time. Focusing on 3 units, the pupils are introduced to terminology, practitioners and explorative strategies that are integral to the GCSE Drama and BTEC Performing Arts courses.
Regular trips to the theatres of Bath, Bristol, Salisbury and London’s West End, both inspire and educate pupils to emulate creative, relevant, highly crafted performances. Regular workshop sessions with visiting practitioners and university lecturers further stretch and challenge pupils to produce high quality work.
Many past pupils have entered the profession to take up careers on stage and screen, and in production support, whilst others have transferred their acquired skills to careers in Medicine, Law, Diplomacy and Journalism. It is a course that will provide you with the skills to progress into the Performing Arts, but equally to successfully progress in public facing careers.
Studying Drama and Performing Arts requires emotional maturity and gives pupils a deep understanding of themselves. Because it involves using not only their voices and bodies, but also emotions and creativity, it is able to engender a deep sense of self-esteem. It is also a subject that requires a great deal of peer trust, and so it plays an important role in teaching communication, listening and empathy skills. Studying drama is demanding, and teaches pupils that success only comes from hard work.
The skills that are learnt are invaluable in later life:
At King’s, we offer the Edexcel GCSE Drama course. The syllabus provides pupils with an opportunity to study both the practical and theoretical aspects of Drama.
However, our GCSE Drama course is not just for people interested in performing or acting. The course is split into three components; Devising, Performing and the Exam Paper. Throughout the two years, you will become a director, a designer, a researcher, a technician and a producer as well as performer. You are examined in three different ways; a portfolio that can written or presented, a performance to a visiting examiner and the written exam paper.
Furthermore, studying Drama at King’s inevitably allows you to develop transferable skills that will be used throughout your life, skills such as:
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Performing Arts - Extended Certificate
Our Performing Arts course is for pupils who have a serious interest in developing a wide and marketable range of performance skills. You will study both the theory and practice of a wide range of theatre styles. The course demands practical, creative and communication skills in equal measures. It will provide an opportunity to specialise in different performance genres that you want to develop, and you will be encouraged to find your own artistic voice.
All units are based on practical exploration and skill development but are assessed in a variety of different ways. You will develop skills in performance, critical analysis, research and creativity alongside transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving. The skills developed in BTEC Performing Arts are transferable not just to those aiming for a career in the arts, but also business, law, medicine, indeed any career which involves teamwork and working with people.
Course Content
The Performing Arts course consists of practical sessions, lectures, workshops and performances covering a range of skills and include core and specialist elements delivered by subject specialist staff. Listed below are some of the skills you will develop and work on throughout the course:
Assessment
You will be formally assessed in four units throughout the two-year course. These will be both internally and externally assessed in the areas listed below. All pupils should expect to be challenged to professional standards of creative collaboration and performance.
Head of Department
Mr Will Stainton - 01749 814289
Teaching Staff
Ms Maggie King
Trinity Speech and Drama Tutor
Ms Harriet Grasby
