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Performing Arts

'Our aim in Performing Arts is to ‘enable students to deliver exceptional performances in dance, drama and music.’

Students studying Performing Arts at Swindon Academy are pushed to achieve vocational and academic excellence. Students are consistently encouraged to showcase their skills and receive excellent opportunities to do this.  Our state-of-the-art facilities are a perfect place to enable them to achieve this. Our facilities include:

  • Apple Mac computer suite
  • Recording studio equipped professionally with industry standards and manned by our experienced sound engineer
  • Purpose built music practice rooms
  • Purpose built dance studio
  • Fully functioning drama studio and green room

Full details of the Performing Arts Curriculum at key stage 3,4, and 5 can be found as follows:

Key Stage 3

At KS3, music is taught once a week throughout the school year.  A comprehensive mastery curriculum programme includes topics such as: Elements, Notation and Instruments, Folk Music, Blues Music, Disco Fever, Musical Cycles around the World, Music and Media including Film Music and Minimalism. Rudiments of music, listening to and analyzing music skills, theory and general musicianship are studied throughout the course.  With a focus on performing and composing, during class music lessons pupils learn to play keyboard, guitar, classroom percussion and ukulele.

KS3 Dance and Drama are taught on a carousel once each week throughout the school year with three modules in drama and three in dance.  Throughout these units of work, pupils develop the skills and knowledge to excel in both Dance and Drama.  Music, dance and drama are also offered in the extra-curricular programme through clubs, which run after school with visiting industry experts alongside our own teachers who are very experienced in their industry specialism.

Key Stage 4

At KS4, pupils have the option to select:

  • BTEC Level 1 / 2 - Music
  • BTEC Level 1 / 2 Performing Arts - Drama
  • BTEC Level 1 / 2 Performing Arts (specializing in Dance or Drama)

Key Stage 5

At KS5, pupils have the option to select:

  • BTEC Level 3 - Music
  • BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts - Dance or Drama pathway

Prep

Rehearsal and performance play key roles in the Performing Arts faculty with all subjects setting regular prep tasks , which enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding alongside their classroom learning. Weekly written tasks are designed to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for further study.

Students who pick a Performing Arts subject are expected to support the whole school production, whether that be through acting, playing an instrument, creating tickets, designing  make-up or becoming part of our technical team, meaning that the subjects and faculty as a whole, are very popular.

Extra-Curricular

  • Whole School Production - Jungle Book, We Will Rock You, Oliver, Grease
  • The Gym and Dance Show
  • Battle of the Bands
  • Young Musician of the Year
  • Marlborough College Carol Concert
  • Christmas by Candlelight
  • Termly performances in Drama, Dance & Music
  • The Great Big Dance Off
  • Move it International Dance Festival
  • Rosie Kay and The Ministry of Defense Curtain Raiser
  • Community Concerts, including music at Swindon Orbital Centre, music performances at local residential homes, dance performances at Swindon Dance Platform and performing arts participation at fundraising outdoor events such as the local Fun Day
  • Residential trips to include local venues, London and New York

In addition:

  • There are many clubs on offer on a weekly basis in Performing Arts: Uke Group, Music Theory and General Musicianship, Samba Band, Singing Stars, Recorder Consort, Tech Club, Drama Club for lower school and upper school, Ballet, Evolve Dance and Nu-Flow Dance
  • We regularly welcome professional musicians, dancers and actors into school. These professionals host engaging workshops, which culminate in performances for and with our students
  • Many of the musicians perform in our Lunchtime Live Lounge sessions. Students can perform in Lunchtime Live Lounge too
  • Professional dancers visit our school to lead fabulous dance workshops and our students take part in dance workshop and performances with outside agencies at professional venues
  • The Drama department organise annual school trips to theatres in the West End and the Music Department organises visits to some of the most prestigious music colleges and concert halls in the UK.  Music of all genres and cultures are embraced
  • We also have visiting music teachers from Swindon Music Co-operative offering specialist tuition in singing, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, drum kit, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, trumpet, trombone, tenor horn, cello, violin, viola and piano.  These lessons are heavily subsidized enabling many students to enrol on the extra-curricular instrumental programme.  Instruments, music and accessories are provided at no cost for students to borrow.

If you have any queries about the PARTS curriculum, please contact us via the school reception.

Secondary