Deyes High School Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty Arts Policy 2010/2011 1
Our Vision Deyes High School Arts Policy The arts are a critical and essential part of the education of every young person in Deyes High School, and every student should have high-quality opportunities to be educated in all of the arts. Such an education should occur both in and out of classroom settings as part of an ongoing learning process for all individuals, including those with special talents or needs. Case studies show that arts rich schools value the contribution the arts make to quality of life for children/young people and the unique opportunities offered by the arts for creative self-expression. (The Arts Council). Our vision, as a highly sought after school, is to excel in all that we do so that students flourish and achieve their full potential. We believe that performing arts play a key role in attaining this vision and that access to the Arts should be for the many and not the few. No one should feel excluded from the Arts. At Deyes School we adopt a nonselective, non-elitist approach to all activities, both as part of the curriculum and in out of hours provision. We aim for all students to create and perform work of a high quality and certainly always to the best of their ability. We encourage our students to take creative and artistic risks and to value their work and the work of others. Watching and listening can lead them to an enhanced appreciation of the highest achievements in the Arts. 2
The Policy This Arts Policy, covering the subject areas of Art, Dance, Drama (including speech), English literature (including Creative Writing), Media and Music, supports and underpins the thriving and exciting work in the Arts, which can be seen to enrich our school community on a daily basis. It is a statement of the school s commitment to the Arts and the creative educational development of all students irrespective of ability, gender or cultural background. The Arts and the National Curriculum: National Curriculum Arts Subjects Art & Design Dance Drama English Music All of the above Art form Area Visual arts, Art and Design Performing Arts Performing Arts English Literature Performing Arts Media and Multimedia Aims We at Deyes High School aim to: Aim 1 Provide students with the opportunity to experience and participate in a wide range of Arts activities. Provide an arts curriculum of quality, range and depth. Provide a stimulating and varied extra-curricular programme for all years and key stages. Ensure that the Expressive and Performing Arts teachers have access to regular CPD to refresh their creativity. 3
Aim 2 Encourage the development of student s confidence, self esteem, social skills and personal expression, through participation in the Arts. Give all students regular opportunities to perform/exhibit their work. Give students the opportunity to receive both formal and informal accreditation for their work including Btec, GCSE, A-level and Arts Award. Aim 3 Aid Students to develop a life-long interest and appreciation for the Arts encouraging an active and independent involvement in all opportunities and art forms and to encourage them to develop a value and respect for their own work adopting a responsibility for their actions and working co-operatively with others to develop and encourage enthusiasm and commitment to the arts and to world cultures. Give all students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists in order to provide inspirational exemplar and the opportunity to recognise personal potential. Regularly organise a range of trips to see work exhibited and performed by professionals engendering a culture of learning beyond the school environment and outside of traditional teaching methods allowing student to experience wonder and venture. Encourage all students to share their Arts Activities in the community and with students in other primary and secondary schools. Encourage a can do climate amongst the students. Provide opportunities for teamwork, self-reflection and expression of personal thought and emotion through the use of performing arts. 4
Aim 4 To gain the reputation of an Expressive and Performing Arts faculty that this is recognised by its staff, students, parents and the community as an institution where the arts and arts education are outstanding and available to all. Give all students the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and artists in the community supporting and encouraging work which extends the arts into the wider community and engages with all age groups and socioeconomic groups. Provide opportunities for students to present their work in public areas, locally and nationally so that they can experience a sense of pride and be motivated through achievement. Making opportunities available for the community to benefit from Deyes High School s array of art related resources, talent and experience to include work with the local primaries, community based agencies and community groups. This to provide opportunities for our students to act as trainers and mentors in their own right promoting a sense of self-belief and confidence. Encourage and develop staff across the curriculum areas who are driven by their belief in the arts as an entitlement for all students and an enriching experience for them, their families and the wider community. Health and wellbeing The arts actively encourage positivity within students. The arts improve mental, emotional and spiritual state of Health The Arts Council Performing Arts foster communication and inter personal skills, equipping our young people, with attributes such as creativity, imagination, self-confidence, health, fitness and flexibility. Our subjects can make a distinctive contribution to the education of all students in that it uses movement as its mode of expression and communication. It engages the physical, emotional and intellectual dimensions of the human being in artistic and aesthetic experiences. 5
The Expressive and Performing Arts areas, offer so many opportunities to develop in important, maturing ways. Teamwork, balanced alongside reflective individual work; the opportunity for the artist to explore inner feelings on canvas, matched with the chance for the dancer, musician or actor to perform with dynamics, all such things are part of achieving full potential, and this is why the school fully supports the work done in these areas. The Curriculum Each discrete Arts department at Deyes High School is line managed by an Assistant Head Teacher and there is a Head of Department for each subject area. The departments work in collaboration and there are frequent multi arts events, which are jointly planned. Deyes High School firmly believes that the Arts are central to the educational success of its students. Through the Arts, students gain in confidence and self-esteem. They learn to work both as team members and independently. They learn to express their emotions and to celebrate and respect our school s rich heritage. Each subject is taught both discretely and with cross-curricular links, aiming to consolidate learning across the school. Individual departmental curriculum plans can be found in the school s respective Art, Drama, Dance and Music departments and on the staff network. We aim to make access to the arts subjects, equal for all our students, including our students with additional needs and More Able students. In each area we believe: Art - Enriches a student s life through the development of skills, both artistic and aesthetic in a pleasant and structured environment. Dance - Dance is inclusive respecting the individuals right to express thoughts and emotions through the communication of body and soul. It helps to develop self-confidence, self-awareness and imagination and the desire to succeed. 6
Drama - Drama teaches students to use their moral imaginations, to place themselves in others shoes, to reach beyond prejudice and across boundaries, to care more about the world and its people. By being put in formal and informal situations that are outside of their everyday experience and by taking on a variety of roles and asking and responding to questions, students can evaluate discourses and language registers they would not normally use. As such, Drama is a powerful means and appropriate context for developing speaking and listening. Media - It is estimated that the average adult spends 75 hours every week with television, radio, newspapers and magazines. The media industry has a huge impact on our lives, and plays a great part in molding our views and opinions. This observation has implications for the future of our democracy, our attitudes to different groups within society, and our overall understanding of the World. A failure to look at this huge industry would seem to be imprudent. Music We aim to stimulate and maintain the student s curiosity, interest and enjoyment in music. We wish to enable students to be sensitive to, familiar with and confident in a body of musical knowledge, principles skills and vocabulary so that they can see music as: A major cultural feature that provides intellectual and aesthetic stimulation; Part of a wider body of knowledge and skills; A source of pleasure and an important part of our leisure activities. 7
The following curriculum time is given to each of the Arts: Entitlement at Key stage 3 (fortnightly): Art Students access 2, 60-minute lessons a fortnight in Years 7-9 by qualified subject specialists. English literature and Media are taught within the English curriculum. Students have 8 lessons a fortnight of English and are taught by qualified specialist teachers. Creative writing is an integral part of the English curriculum. Music Students access 3, 60-minute lessons a fortnight in Year 7 and 2, 60- minute lessons in Year 8 and 9. In year 9 three classes follow the Expressive Arts course. In Year 9 students also work towards Arts Award Bronze or Silver. Music is taught by qualified subject specialists. Performing Arts (Dance & Drama) Students access 2, 60-minute lessons a fortnight in years 7 & 8. This is combined with Drama and each student receives half a year in each discipline. Three groups in Year 9 follow the Expressive Arts course. Performing Arts is taught by qualified Dance and Drama specialists. Entitlement at KS4 (per fortnight): The following courses are offered to all students as GCSE option courses at Deyes High School, all courses are timetabled for 5 hours a fortnight: o Art o Dance o Expressive Arts o Music o Media studies o English literature is compulsory Specialist qualified teachers teach all courses. 8
Entitlement at KS5 (per fortnight): The following courses are offered at Deyes High School to all students in the sixth form, al courses are timetabled for 9 hours a fortnight: o Art o Dance o Music o Performing Arts o Media Studies o English Literature o Arts Award (Gold Arts Award, as part of the sixth form enrichment programme) Specialist qualified teachers teach all courses. Parents are made aware of students achievements at regular parents evenings and written reports. External examinations in associated boards for music are also undertaken by some students as well as extensive provision for GCSE in Dance, Drama, Art, Music and Media, and GCE AS/A2 level in Performing Arts, Dance, Media, Art, Music and Music Technology. In addition, all students at Deyes High School regularly rehearse for and participate in whole school performances. Students in all key stages receive additional Arts time, through participation in dedicated days. Themes and topics studied in the Arts at Key Stage 3 Examples: Art Basics, Aboriginal Art, Bugs, Portraits, Human Figure, Still Life Creative Writing Writing for an audience, describing a scene. Performing Arts Drama Evacuees, Dark wood Manor, The Witches, Refuges, Theatre history, Acting skills. 9
Dance - Musicals: Grease, Stomp, Dirty Dancing, Magnets & Springs, Skydiving, Thriller, Street Dance. Music Instruments of the Orchestra, Harry Potter, Popular Music, African Music, Musicals, Reggae, The Blues, Samba, Dance Music, Harry Potter. Extra Curricular Activities At Deyes High School, we are particularly proud of the diverse extra - curricular programme offered to our students. Performances and exhibitions of students work are a regular part of school life. At KS3, 4 and 5, the majority of extra curricular activities are offered in lunch times and after school. At KS4 and KS5, students who opt for an Arts GCSE are expected to attend at least one activity on a regular basis to enhance their learning of the subject. We also produce subject specific performance opportunities. Activities are provided for all students, regardless of ability, with some subject areas also offering specific activities for the More Able. Activities offered in 2010/2011 include: KS3: Year 7 Choir, Junior Orchestra, Senior Orchestra, Individual music lessons, Voice Ensemble, Duffnotes, Keyboard Club, Rock School, Art Club, Musical Theatre Group, School Productions, Woodwind Group, String Group, Wind Band, Year 7, 8 and 9 Drama Club, Year 7, 8 and 9 Dance Club, Street Dance Club. KS4: Funk Collective, Gospel Voices, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra, Individual music lessons, Voice Ensemble, Duffnotes, Keyboard Club, Rock School, Art Club, Musical Theatre Group, School Productions, Woodwind Group, String Group, Wind Band, Year 10 and 11 Dance Club, Street Dance Club, Music GCSE Composition tutorials, GCSE choreography clinics/tutorials, Performance clinics/tutorials. KS5 10
Funk Collective, Gospel Voices, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra, Individual music lessons, Voice Ensemble, Duffnotes, Rock School, Art Club, Musical Theatre Group, School Productions, Woodwind Group, String Group, Wind Band, Street Dance Club, Arts Award tutorials, AS and A2 Music tutorials, AS and A2 Dance choreography and performance tutorials. Staffing and Professional Development Art, Dance, Drama, English Literature, Media, and Music, are taught and led by a subject specialist. Regular meetings, both formal and informal are held by the Arts Staff as a faculty (which also encompasses Physical Education) to ensure collaboration, support and the sharing of ideas. Cluster meetings are also held every year for the Learning Managers from all schools in Sefton to share ideas and keep abreast of new developments in the Arts. All staff are encouraged to develop as both artists and teachers through regular CPD training. Many staff are actively involved as Arts Practitioners in their own time. Arts Partnerships The Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty aims to offer each student a minimum of one opportunity to work alongside a Professional Artist each year. The department recognises the importance of such partnerships, as it is our belief that they can: Enable students to achieve high standards in the arts and raise expectations often in areas that the school cannot offer. Allow students to have first hand authentic experience of a wide range of arts from varying cultures. Give students opportunities for team working and the development of other key skills. Create positive links with other institutions and groups outside school strengthening links with the wider community. 11
Our partnership with local feeder primary schools is a key feature of the faculty. Many primary children benefit from our visits or from viewing our performances. This we believe is an essential feature of the Performing Arts Curriculum. Care is taken to ensure that all partnerships are appropriate, well planned and meet the necessary Curriculum, Health and Safety and Safeguarding requirements. Provision impact Every year Learning managers have an annual review with members of senior management and evaluate the quality of provision and recent examination results. The schools SEF is completed on an annual basis also, which incorporates sections from the Arts subjects. Student voice is an important vehicle to assess the quality and impact of provision throughout the school. This is carried out every year and every member of KS3 and examination classes are surveyed. This information is then evaluated and acted upon. Teachers in the departments are always prepared to go the extra mile in the pursuit of excellence to enrich our students lives in order to help them make informed decisions and to embrace a life long appreciation of Arts culture into the 21st Century. Facilities Deyes High School benefits from a Performing Arts department incorporating a Drama studio and general classrooms for Drama, Expressive and Performing Arts, which have computers. There is separate bespoke accommodation, which houses 2 music rooms and practice rooms that are equipped with keyboards; there is also a recording studio, which has been built on the side of the building. Another building houses the Dance studio and another Music room with 24 computers. Art is housed in another building with three large rooms. The School Hall (equipped with a stage, lighting and sound system) is regularly used for performances. 12
Current Targets and Areas for Development: To work together more closely and collaboratively, as the Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty. To further develop our links with outside artists, primary schools and the community. Develop students Leadership skills within the Arts To maintain and build upon the excellent examination results in the faculty. Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty staff Mr G Ferguson (Art) BA (Art & Design), PGCE. Miss K Halsall (Learning Manager Dance) BA Hons (Dance), GTP, she is also an AQA Dance moderator. Before becoming a teacher Miss Halsall danced professionally in the UK and Europe in cabaret shows, she continues to dance outside of school. Dr R Howard (Learning Manager Music) BMus, PGCE, PHD Doctorate. Dr Howard is an active musician playing with orchestras and conducting, he is also composer and had many of his works performed around the Northwest. Mrs L Ridway (Learning Manager Art) BA (Art). PGCE, Mrs Ridway is an examiner for OCR A-level Art and Design. Miss J Seddon (Art) - BA Hons (Art), PGCE. Mrs H Shotton (Music) BA Hons (PE & Music), PGCE. Mrs Shotton as begun a MA in Education, she is also an active musician, playing in orchestras and big bands within the Northwest. Mr Andrew Simpkins (Performing Arts) BA Hons (Acting), Cert Ed. 13
Mrs P Treanor (Director of Learning) B Ed (PE & English), DASE, NPQH. Mrs Treanor is also a quality assurance moderator for ITE students in the local area. English Mr M McLindon (Director of Learning) BA Hons (English & History), PGCE. Media Miss N Crompton (Learning Manager Media) Bed Hons (English & PE), PGCE. Miss Crompton is also an external Media examiner. Expressive and Performing Arts support staff Mr J Moubray (supports music) BSC (Chemistry), PGCE. Miss L Summerfield (supports drama) PGCE. Mrs R Anderson Vocal tutor Mrs G Dawkins Clarinet & Piano tutor Mr M Fogg Trumpet tutor Mrs F Hutcheon Keyboard tutor Mr Howel- Evans Clarinet & Saxophone tutor Mr J Martin Drums / Percussion tutor Miss Mapstone Lower brass tutor Mr A Ormesher Guitar tutor Mr P Shotton Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone tutor Mr J Taylor Cello tutor Miss E Tomlinson Violin tutor The Expressive and Performing Arts Faculty regularly support ITE and GTP students. 14