Performing Arts

Our Intent

The intent of our Performing Arts curriculum at Branston Community Academy is to develop learners who have a strong awareness of the cultural importance of Performing Arts and have benefited from opportunities to experience aspects of Dance and Drama through educational visits. Students have a comprehensive understanding of Performing Arts terminology, which includes the ability to apply it in new contexts and the ability to use and understand these terms confidently in the discussion and evaluation of their own theatrical performances and the performances of others. Learners respond creatively to a variety of stimuli and are encouraged to be proud of their achievements in Performing Arts.

The aim of studying Performing Arts at Branston Community Academy is to allow students the opportunity to learn a variety of personal and social skills through creative processes. This enables our students to build respectful relationships as they collaborate to create performance work as well as developing a better understanding of their role within the community of Branston Performing Arts and as a member of the Branston Academy community.
Through studying Performing Arts at Branston we develop learners who:
• are positive, enthusiastic and creative performers;
• are resilient and independent;
• are confident and cooperative communicators;
• are kind and respectful team players;
• are ambitious performers willing to be creative;
• are encouraged to explore their interests and talents.

KS5 CURRICULUM

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts 360 GLH (480 TQT) Equivalent in size to one A Level. 4 units, of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (83%). External assessment (58%). The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the performing arts sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in performing arts. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

YEAR 1

Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners’ Work

• Task set and marked by Pearson consisting of Part A and Part B.
• Four weeks prior to the supervised assessment period, learners will be provided with Part A for a four week term time period in order to carry out investigation and critical analysis.
• Part B will be completed in three hours on a date timetabled by Pearson.
• Externally assessed

UNIT 2: Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance

In this unit students will:

• Understand the role and skills of a performer
• Develop performance skills and techniques for live performance
• Apply performance skills and techniques in selected styles
• Review and reflect on development of skills and techniques for live performance

This unit is internally assessed

YEAR 2

Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

• Task set and marked by Pearson and completed under supervised conditions.
• Learners will be provided with the set task booklet in January in order to prepare for the development and completion of the group performance and their digital process log.
• The final evidence will be completed in 5 hours under supervised conditions in a number of sessions arranged by the centre within the period timetabled by Pearson.
• Externally assessed

UNIT 27: Musical Theatre Techniques

In this unit students will:

• Understand the key features of musical theatre performance
• Develop skills and techniques in musical theatre
• Apply musical theatre skills and techniques to a performance
• Review personal development and own performance

This Unit is internally assessed

OR

UNIT 19: Acting Styles

In this unit you will:

· Understand acting styles and techniques for performance
· Develop acting styles, skills and techniques for performance
· Apply acting styles, skills and techniques in rehearsal and performance
· Review personal development and own performance

This unit is internally assessed

Extra Curricular Activities and Clubs

We encourage all students to participate in the extra-curricular programme we offer. Our clubs and activities are designed to be inclusive for all; the broad range on offer ensures that there is something for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved with. We regularly review our offer to meet the ever-changing needs of our students.

The extra-curriculum clubs and activities for the current (and previous) academic term can be found by visiting the link below.

Extra-Curricular Clubs & Activities

Dance and Drama clubs during lunchtimes and after school will be accessible to all students.
Opportunities for students to perform in local events such as Udance and Shakespeare Schools Festival
A range of ‘off site’ activities such as theatre visits and workshops offered to students across the Academy
Gifted and talented students are encouraged to work with the dance company based at the Academy – ‘Unorthodox’
Taking part in the annual school musical and Christmas and summer shows.

CAREER PATHWAYS

Performing arts provides an overall foundation spanning various disciplines, music, dance and drama. Students may decide to follow a career in the performing arts and we often have students who go to performance conservatoires following school whereas others choose to follow a degree course in drama or dance at university. We also have students who have more interest in the production arts at degree level. Following these courses we have many students who are currently working in the industry on cruise ships, in the West End as well as teaching in schools and conservatoires.

The skills used in both the Level 2 and 3 courses equip students for a variety of career pathways giving them skills in confidence, organisation, team work and adaptability. In the past level 3 students have gone onto university to study English, Archaeology, Sciences, Media, Journalism etc