Curriculum Intent
At Werneth School we recognise that music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.
Our curriculum is intended to build on their musical skills and allow students to develop their own personal musical interests as well as introduce them to musical styles and genres from different cultures and different times.
Curriculum Features
Our Music curriculum is designed to help students:
- Develop a thorough understanding of music, through performing, composing, listening and analysing.
- Develop self-confidence through performance, both through lessons and extra-curricular participation
- Encourage creativity through composition skills
- Understand the complexities of music through analysis of a wide range of genres from different musical and cultural perspectives
- Encourage personal development through ensemble performances and group compositions
- Understand how music can support the development of life skills, such as confidence, self awareness, perseverance and discipline and provide a holistic experience that they can take beyond their musical studies
- Develop their cross-curricular skills of problem solving, perseverance, diligence, team work, time management, organisation, responsibility and cultural history
- Gain a sense of achievement through performance.
Co-curriculum Enrichment
Music has links with many other subjects such as Geography, History, RE, MFL, Physics, ICT, Maths, English as well as the other arts subjects.
In addition to our curriculum we offer a range of extra-curricular activities such as musical ensembles, singing groups and recording sessions. Our groups are involved in performances both internal and within the community. We also run musical theatre trips and music tours to European destinations.
Overview
Music has been a consistently high performing department for many years. It is a very successful department with an active extra-curricular programme. Music is delivered in specialist rooms equipped with iMacs and keyboards along with range amps, electronic drum kits and guitars/bass guitars available when appropriate. We have 4 peripatetic rooms that also double as practice rooms for use at lunchtimes or afterschool. We have a range of recording facilities that allow us to create quality multi-track recordings.
Key Stage 3
All students at KS3 follow a programme of work that allows them to develop their performing, creative and listening skills. Our programmes of study aim to promote British values through celebrating diversity through a wide variety of topics such as remixing, creating variations from classical music, film music and looking at music from different countries around the world such as Brazil & China. In these topics there is a focus on helping promote equality and improve cultural understanding. We also teach using a variety of Western musical genres such as investigating traditional orchestral instruments, listening to a selection of programme music and more popular styles such as pop, rock, rap and film music. We look at a range of musicians ranging from Holst & Prokofiev to John Williams to The Beatles, Ed Sheeran & Adele.
Students are encouraged to work individually, with partners, as part of small groups and as a whole class. We strive to create well-structured and dynamic lessons. Achievement and reward are a high priority for the department.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students can choose to study GCSE Music. This course is again diverse and as well as allowing students to develop their own personal style, it also demands studying a wide variety of musical styles and genres encompassing both time and place. The course is suitable for both singers and instrumental players. Examination results at KS4 are consistently excellent, outperforming national averages.
Students are encouraged once again to develop both as individuals and as part of their groups.
Enrichment and Out Of Hours Learning
Music has a wide range of extra-curricular activities, which are open and accommodating to both accomplished musicians and also to all interested students of all abilities and ages.
We have 4 visiting peripatetic teachers that allow students to learn a wide range of instruments. This is heavily subsidised by the school and so is available at a cost of just £30 per half-term. Students can take external instrument or music theory exams (normally with the ABRSM exam board). Again, we have an outstanding pass rate (very close to 100%).
We have instrumental ensembles including a wind band and a number of rock based groups.
We also have a range of singing groups across all years normally created for upcoming events and concerts.
We have facilities that allow a number of rock/pop bands to rehearse and perform.
There is a Music Tech club and an after-school Music Theory class.
We are part of the team responsible for producing the annual musical, which is performed over a week involving a team of over 100 students. Examples of musicals in the past have been We Will Rock You, The Wiz, West Side Story, Hairspray, Our House, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver, Fame etc.
Our band and singing groups have performed at the Bridgewater Hall, RNCM, Stockport Town Hall, local churches as well as a number of local charity events. They have also been on tours to Tuscany, Barcelona, Lake Geneva and Lake Garda.
Any enquiries about Music can be made by emailing the address below...
Curriculum Intent
Dance is a hidden language that not only allows us to express our ideas and emotions in a different approach but also allows us to build lifelong skills of communication, creativity, teamwork and independence. Every young person has the opportunity to access dance as not only an art form but also as an alternative healthy lifestyle approach. Our curriculum aims to provide enriched opportunities for each and every student to gain skills for life and learn to appreciate dance from all over the world and its place in society.
Our ethos is; a creative and active mind can aid a healthy mind.
Curriculum Features
- Develop competence to excel in dance and develop confidence over time
- Students are physically active for sustained periods of time
- Promote healthy, active lives with the understanding what long term benefits of a healthy lifestyle are, building an interest to get involved with exercise both in and out of school
- Students to look at different dance cultures, history and its place in current society
- Build creative thinkers
- Build problem solvers and critical thinkers
- Be self reflectors and have the ability to form opinions
- Build interpersonal and transferable skills such as; teamwork, leadership and independence
- Build appreciation skills
- Promote self discipline
- Develop transferable skills
Co-curriculum Enrichment
To understand social, historical and cultural contexts of dance through different topics within the curriculum. Linking with other subjects, for example Indian Culture in Art, Dance within the media and producing a production, linking to Drama through our understanding of how specific roles, responsibilities and skills contribute to an effective production.
Extra curricular offer: Opportunities to take part in after school clubs, performance events both in and out of school, excellence workshops with professionals and theatre visits to watch pure dance and musical theatre performances both in and out of school.
Overview
We strive in Performing Arts to aid students’ personal development by offering experiences, which enriches their academic career and enables new perspectives on the world we live in.
The department boasts three dedicated studios with specialised equipment.. Students are taught by a highly qualified team of staff who have studied the Arts to degree level and beyond. All of the staff have worked professionally in the field or have been part of amateur companies.
In year 7 and 8 students have 1 lesson every fortnight. Students are taught by professionals who have high level of qualifications in the the arts and who have worked in the industry both as amateurs and professionals.
Our ethos in dance is ‘creative and active minds = healthy minds’
Aims of the Dance Curriculum:
- Develop competence to excel in dance and develop confidence over time
- Promote healthy, active lives with the understanding what long term benefits of a healthy lifestyle are, building an interest to get involved with exercise both in and out of school
- Develop an understanding of the Performing Arts industry
- Promote Empathy and cultural awareness
- Build creative thinkers
- Build problem solvers
- Be self reflectors
- Support students in resilience development
- Promote self discipline
- Develop transferable skills
Year 7
The main focus of the year is to allow students to develop Personal and Thinking Skills (PLTS) such as creative thinking and working as a team. It is about developing a student’s confidence as well introducing them to the subjects of Dance.
In year 7 we focus on the different elements of dance. We look at Relationships, Actions, Dynamics and Space, Narrative and Abstract dance. Students will have an Introduction to choreography, performance and dance appreciation. Students will have the opportunity to develop their creativity, they will look at professional dance works through the introduction of critical thinking skills and appreciation.
Year 8
The focus of Year 8 is expanding on skills and knowledge from year 7 and preparing students for future study in year 9 and KS4. They will develop a deeper understanding of techniques and skills used in a variety of styles. Students will study a range of dances with historical, cultural or social influences from street dance to Rock and Roll, they will have the opportunity to learn new movement vocabulary and continue to develop their creative skills in new ways. They will look at different professional works that will develop their critical thinking and appreciation in different ways.
Year 9
In year 9 students study dance on a rotation. They will continue to develop skills from year 7 and 8 and will look at a professional dance piece in greater detail. They will use the themes and ideas used within the professional piece to develop their own creative work. They will extend their critical thinking skills by analysing the work and writing a review about what they have understood.
In the 2nd carousel students have a more personalised approach to studying dance. They will have the choice to work as a designer, choreographer performer. Students will be given a range of stimuli and will create their own project based on their are of study.
Kit
In Dance, students should wear a practical kit for each lesson:
- An official Werneth School PE top or official Expressive Arts’ top
- Black practical bottoms: sport shorts or tracksuit bottoms or School PE tracksuit bottoms/shorts and sports leggings are all acceptable
- Bare feet (No shoes or socks are allowed unless a medical note is provided and an alternative arrangement will be made)
- Long hair should be tied up
- Students should remove any earrings & watches for all lessons
- If a student is unable to bring their kit or they have an injury, please write a note and send it to school with them. All students will usually be able to take part in some part of the lesson even if injured. Sanctions will be given for students who persistently do not bring kit and do not have a note.
- Students are required to have a pen for every lesson.
In KS4 dance students may wish to also wear a leotard and any personalised departmental t-shirts that have been ordered.
Extra Curricular Events
There are many opportunities for students to be involved with dance outside of school. Our main clubs happen on a Wednesday after school in the dance studio. Students can come along to learn and create dances and perform in school events such as our annual winter wonderland.
NB: There will be some changes to our extra curricular activities in the current climate
Curriculum Intent
Students at Werneth study Drama to develop an array of key skills that enable them to communicate in the wider world. We strive to:
Develop their key communication skills. Communication is developed through the study and application of Vocal and Physical Skills as an actor so Werneth students can transfer these skills to communicate appropriately and empathetically, and succeed in the wider school environment.
To enrich Werneth’s whole school curriculum with culturally rich examples of Drama from the English speaking world.
To open-doors for Werneth students into the Creative Industries locally and nationally, enriching their appreciation of the rich cultural opportunities available to them and opening doors into creative careers in the future.
To give Werneth students examples of and hands-on experience with elements of high quality theatre production as would be found in the Creative Industries.
Curriculum Features
In KS3, lessons impart knowledge through ongoing practical Drama, continuously developing oracy for the individual and verbal communication amongst peers.
In KS4, students practically develop knowledge and skills based on current practice - and how it’s changed over time in the performing arts industry - by considering a range of high-quality theatrical productions.
The curriculum content draws from socially and culturally significant play-texts and productions drawn from as wide a range of sources as possible in order to ensure that Werneth students can begin to see themselves as Global Citizens through Drama. Examples include Drama in Ancient Greece, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights’s Drama and Macbeth, Darkwood Manor (Gothic Haunted House), 20th Century Scripts, Soap Operas and Actors with Disabilities along with the study of Theatre Productions, The Practitioners and Monologue Performances.
The curriculum content also draws numerous examples of excellence from Greater Manchester and Stockport, in order to allow students to see countless examples of how they can enjoy and excel in Drama in their community.
Co-curriculum Enrichment
English and Drama are working together to share practice at developing Speaking and Listening Skills, as well as Oracy.
Life Learning, exploring people and their choices as well as Allies to LGBTQ+.
Enrichment: Theatre Trips and In-house Productions/Visitors, Student Productions and Cabarets, (extra curricular), and Arts Award - Bronze and Silver.
Extracurricular Clubs, including Improv, Comedy, Drama Clubs and Outreach Projects.
Overview
The Performing Arts department is a high achieving, dynamic environment where pupils study Dance and Drama. We strive in Performing Arts to aid students’ personal development by offering experiences, which enriches their academic career and enables new perspectives on the world we live in.
The department boasts three dedicated studios with specialised equipment.. Students are taught by a highly qualified team of staff who have studied the Arts to degree level and beyond. All of the staff have worked professionally in the field or have been part of amateur companies. We have fully qualified and professionally recognised Speech and Drama and Dance teachers.
Students have access to an extensive enrichment curriculum, which includes productions at Romiley Forum, workshops with professional companies and extra courses such as the Arts Award.
Our ethos in Drama is “Drama is for Everyone - you can’t judge another person until you walk a mile in their shoes”.
Aims of the Drama Curriculum:
- Develop skills and knowledge as performers and enthusiasts of Drama
- Engage in current drama-making practice
- Promote empathy and cultural awareness
- Develop self-awareness and self-confidence
- Develop know-how of the performing arts industry
Each year has a particular focus, and learning includes both practical and theoretical activities
Year 7
The main focus of the year is to allow students to develop Personal and Thinking Skills (PLTS) such as creative thinking and working as a team. It is about developing a student’s confidence as well introducing them to the subjects of Dance and Drama.
In year 7, students gain fundamental skills and knowledge from the field of Drama. The curriculum is rich in cultural capital and draws from a range of times and genres. Topics include Introduction to Drama, Arabian Nights, The Ancient Greeks and Shakespeare, Ghost Stories and Comedy.
Year 8
The focus of Year 8 is expanding on skills and knowledge from year 7 and preparing students for future study in year 9 and KS4. They will develop a deeper understanding of techniques and skills, and they will consider increasingly demanding works and texts. The processes involved in making a piece of dance or drama are made more apparent and students develop an understanding of the performing arts industry.
In year 8, Drama students will consider important Ethical questions and social issues through their practical exploration of Drama. Moreover, they will consider television/film-making and participate in some parts of making a Soap Opera. Topics include Prejudice over the past 100 years, Bullying and Actors with Disabilities in British Television.
Year 9
Students can opt to continue to study both dance and drama in year 9. Year 9 provides a solid foundation year for students. Through project-based work, skills workshops and performances, students develop the skills required to be successful in achieving the highest grades in BTEC performing arts.
In year 9, students undertake learning from the KS3 curriculum in greater depth, enhancing already acquired skills and knowledge and developing their craft as actors and theatre-makers. Students consider extracts from popular 20th century plays, such as Blood Brothers and Too Much Punch for Judy, as well as classics like Romeo and Juliet, focussing on the stage combat, humour and family-conflict. This year culminates in a performance project for an external audience and students have the option of working towards the Bronze Arts Award, as mentioned above. (This pursuit would require the student to put in some additional time after-school and at lunch).
Assessment: Although students will work towards the end of term assessment as part of their scheme of study, they will gain ongoing Self/Peer/Teacher feedback in all expressive Arts lessons as it helps to understand the subject content and make progress. They will engage in questioning techniques to help support understanding of the curriculum content, and will use a variety of activities to retrieve knowledge and consolidate their learning.
Kit
- Students will wear their regular school uniform, which may need to be adapted to suit the requirements of each lesson. For example, students may need to remove blazers, shoes and socks and ties in order to perform Physical Theatre.
- The white shelves at the back of the room are there for students to use to put their personal things, i.e. coats and bags, during the lesson.
- Students must have appropriate writing equipment with them in all lessons, simply: bring a pen. Purple and Red Pens will be supplied.
- Students may be required to develop costumes for their characters in drama and bring in personal costumes pieces and props from home. This is not meant to cost any money, but students may be asked to think creatively about things they already have in their homes, and how they can be used for Drama.
- Beyond Covid-19, students will share hygienically cleaned theatrical masks and costumes, as well as props, for lessons, assessments, and extra-curricular activities. However, during the Covid-19 outbreak, students cannot access these things.
- For performances in class (mostly for yr 9, 10 and 11), students may be asked to wear basic-blacks (i.e. black top and black bottoms) along with bare-feet and/or trainers if appropriate.
- For rehearsals in class, leading up to a performance (mostly yr 9, 10 and 11) students may wear clothing that facilitates movement, i.e. their Expressive Arts/PE shirt and black shorts/leggings. Again, this is not intended to cost any money and must be cleared with the class-teacher first.
- For extra-curricular costumes and props, every production will have different demands, but here again, it is not a requirement to spend any money.
Extra Curricular Events
We have several Dance and Theatre companies which take part in a variety of events inside and out of school. In the few years, students have performed at The Contact Theatre, Manchester, Romiley Forum, Lyme Park Stockport Schools’ Shakespeare Festival and local primary schools. Students’ work has also been showcased at Salford University.
- Lunchtime and after school dance classes open to all students: Contemporary, Ballet, Musical theatre, street dance
- W-Ninja street dance crew (All years), this is our competitive team who recently attended regionals for the National schools championships
- Arts award certification
- Student leadership opportunities to run extra curricular clubs
- Drama Clubs at Lunch-Time for students in years 7, 8 and 9.
- Drama support, rehearsals, workshops and booster sessions for students in year 10 and 11.
NB: There will be some changes to our extra curricular activities in the current climate
There are also several ‘one off’ extra curricular projects that are again open to all students. These are usually advertised during form times. Events include:
- Annual Production at Romiley Forum
- Papa Panov – Christmas production for Year 7
- Aladdin – Christmas production for Year 7 - 9
- Dance and Drama Performance Evenings
- National Schools’ Shakespeare Festival at the Contact Theatre, Manchester
- Stockport Schools’ Drama Festival
- Stockport Schools’ Dance Festival
- Romiley Christmas light switch on
We also offer theatre trips and visiting workshops to the school, we have links with Romiley Forum, The Lowry, UDOIT and various other networks.