Performing Arts

Performing Arts at Wollaston School has the clear vision to foster Creativity, develop Confidence and enrich pupils lives through the Culture of Drama, Dance and Music.  Within KS3 Performing Arts, pupils will be given the tools and freedom to develop skills through a range of different exploration, rehearsal and performance opportunities both in and out of lessons.

Welcome to Performing Arts at Wollaston School

Key Stage 3

In KS3, pupils participate in 3 practical Performing Arts lessons per week, one Drama, one Dance and one Music.

 In Drama pupils explore a range of play texts with social, historical and/ or cultural significance. They explore the themes, use dramatic rehearsal techniques and investigate the characters before performing extracts of the studied play.  Pupils also devise their own original performance work by responding to a stimulus and the work of influential theatre practitioners; layering depth and technical skill into their creative process.  All pupils in KS3 Drama watch live professional theatre either digitally or in person and develop their dramatic vocabulary and analysis skills through written and verbal evaluations.

In music, pupils follow a progressive course which allows pupils to investigate a wide variety of musical styles whilst developing composition, performing, listening and appraising skills.

In dance, pupils will develop knowledge of skills including dance actions, motif development, choreographic devices and composition through performance, choreography, appreciation and evaluation.

In all areas, pupils are given opportunities to work as part of a team as well as developing self-confidence and presentation skills.

For students wishing to learn a musical instrument or voice we offer instrumental music lessons in partnership with the Northants Music and Performing Arts Trust and we currently offer lessons on Voice, Guitar, Percussion, Brass, Woodwind, Upper and Lower Strings and Keyboard.

Key Stage 4

Pupils can opt to study GCSE Drama in years 10 and 11 using the Eduqas examination board.  During their studies, pupils work from a stimulus to create an original piece of theatre using the style and techniques of a recognised theatre practitioner.  A written portfolio and evaluation of the performance is completed which all together accounts for 40% of the final GCSE Grade. The next 20% of the course is an acting examination in which pupils demonstrate their characterisation, vocal and physical skills in order to achieve their own artistic intentions through a scripted performance to a visiting examiner.  The final phase of the GCSE is worth 40% of the grade and is a written examination for which pupils study a play set by the exam board.  This is done through practical and theoretical tasks where pupils show their understanding of acting techniques as well as taking on the role of a designer for the set play.  During the GCSE Drama course pupils go on trips to the theatre to experience live professional performances which they also write about in the component 3 written examination.

Students can opt to study GCSE music (OCR course) in Years 10 and 11 and have opportunities to develop their composition, performance and listening skills further. During the course students will perform both as soloist and member of an ensemble, compose a piece for their chosen instrument or voice and compose a second another piece from a set brief from OCR. The components of the course are broken down into the following: Integrated portfolio 30%, Practical portfolio 30% and Listening and appraising examination 40%. They will also listen to a wide range of different styles of music (e.g. World Music, Film/game Music, Pop/Rock Music, Concerto Through Time) and demonstrate their knowledge of these genres through a listening exam at the end of the course.

GCSE dance promotes fitness, a healthy lifestyle, team work and creativity and develops students’ skills, knowledge and understanding of a range of dance styles through the interrelated processes of Performance, Choreography and Dance Appreciation. Dance develops physical, technical and expressive skills through which students are able to; communicate choreographic intention, develop their individual qualities as performers, communicate ideas, thoughts and meaning drawn from a range of dance styles and develop a critical appreciation of dance in its physical, artistic, aesthetic and cultural contexts.

Key Stage 5

The A Level in Drama and Theatre is offered in KS5 through the Eduqas examination board. This programme of study is designed to provide a wide range of experiences through a range of practical and theoretical tasks.  In component 1, pupils use the techniques of a theatre practitioner or company to re-imagine an existing play into their own original piece of theatre.  A creative log is kept alongside this which gives insight into the processes used; this component is worth 20% of the final mark.  In component 2, pupils devise a performance from a stimulus, in the style of a practitioner or theatre company, as well as perform an extract from a studied play.  A process log and evaluation is completed and together this accounts for 40% of the final grade which is all marked by a visiting examiner in the spring term of year 13.  The final component is worth 40% of the final mark and is a written examination where pupils demonstrate their understanding of how theatre is crafted and shaped, how characters from the studies plays can be interpreted and how they would draw out key themes and ideas to communicate meaning for a modern audience.  There are three plays examined in this component; pupils must also draw on knowledge and ideas from live theatre they have seen throughout the course to inform their choices. 

At KS5 music is offered at A Level. This course offers pupils the chance to widen their musical knowledge and increase their musical abilities across a range of musical styles while choosing a pathway that best suits their personal learning style.

AQA A Level dance develops pupils dance performance skills and their critical appreciation of set work. They learn how to further develop their understanding of the British Contemporary Dance Scene and choreograph both for themselves and others.

Extra-curricular Performing Arts opportunities at Wollaston School

Drama, Dance and Music work closely with each other to provide a vibrant and rich programme of extra curricular activities for pupils to get involved with from full scale musicals like ‘The Addams Family’ (2025) to other events like performing at presentation evenings or Christmas parties. In addition to this, each department offers a bespoke programme of activities for pupils to engage in.

Drama – Theatre Companies

Within Drama there are 3 Theatre Companies: The Foundation Theatre Company, The Junior Theatre Company and The Senior Theatre Company;

Both the Foundation Theatre Company (years 7 &8) and the Junior Theatre Company (year 9) have a real focus on harnessing the joy and excitement that being part of live theatre brings. Pupils will participate in workshop activities, rehearsals and designing for theatre before performing their work to public audiences.

The Senior Theatre Company (year 10 upwards) participates annually in the National Theatre Connections Festival where they develop a play that they perform at school and then transfer to the Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton as part of a week long celebration of theatre.

For more information, please visit the NT Connections website:

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning/connections

Music is a thriving part of the school community with students participating in a wide range of musical activities including concerts and musical theatre as well as performing in competitions, both locally and nationally.

Every year we compete in a dance competition called Dance Live! taking a team of over 100 pupils to Portsmouth to compete against other schools. Pupils are responsible for the creating of a 7 minute dance/drama piece which tells a story or theme, complimented with an LED backdrop and fully edited soundtrack. The student team extends to costume, hair and make-up, lighting, prop design and stage crew. For more information, please visit the dance live website:

https://portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/get-involved/schools-colleges/dance-live/.

MUSIC DOCUMENTS