Performing Arts

Dance at Barnhill provides students with the chance to express themselves and grow their creativity, teamwork and confidence, in order to develop well-rounded individuals able to apply the skills learnt to ANY subject or CAREER they pursue.

“The body says what the word cannot” - Martha Graham

Click here to see the staff members in our Dance department.

At Key Stage 3 students learn how to perform dance, how to choreograph dances and how to appreciate dances both professional dance pieces as well as their own and others work. Students are assessed practically through performance. There are also written elements to the lesson where they are expected to self and peer assess.

Year 7 - 9

Throughout the year students experience a range of dance styles and learn and create dances of many different themes/styles including: Cartoon Capers, Musical Theatre and Bollywood. The theme/style changes on a per term basis. In Year 8 Students study Dance for one hour per fortnight. Later in the Key Stage students experience a range of dance styles and learn and create dances of many different themes/styles including: Street Dance, Musical Theatre and Enter Achilles. 

• It is compulsory for Dance students (at KS3 and 4) to wear the Barnhill PE kit. Students are expected to dance barefoot for health and safety. If students wish to purchase dance shoes they can be purchased here: https://www.dancedirect.com/uk/dance-shoes or from a local dance shop. Plimsolls/trainers are not allowed.

Year 10 and 11

We offer Aqa GCSE Dance: 

Performance

• Set phrases through a solo performance (approximately one minute in duration)
• Duet/trio performance (three minutes in a dance which is a maximum of five minutes in duration)

Choreography

• Solo or group choreography – a solo (two to two and a half minutes) or a group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes)

Years 12 and 13

At KS5 students study a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Dance)

You will study four units, three of which are mandatory and one of which is optional.

Mandatory units:

• Unit 1: Investigating Practitioners Work

Learners investigate the work of performing arts practitioners and develop critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how practitioners communicate themes in their work.

External assessment: assessed under controlled conditions.

• Unit 2: Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance 

Learners explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing skills and techniques in at least two performance styles. 

Internally assessed

• Unit 3: Group Performance Workshop

Learners explore and integrate creative and physical skills and techniques, working collaboratively to create a performance in response to a given stimulus.

External assessment: assessed under controlled conditions.

Optional units:

• Unit 8: Classical Ballet Technique
• Unit 9: Tap Dance Technique
• Unit 10: Jazz Dance Technique
• Unit 11: Street Dance Technique
• Unit 12: Contemporary Dance Technique

Assessment:

Styles of assessment (external): set tasks, performance.

Styles of assessment (internal): write up findings of research, case studies, projects and demonstration of practical and technical skills.

Key Stage 3

Music for Year 7 Autumn Term: ‘Fireball XL5’ by Madness
Music for Year 8 Autumn Term: ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ by James Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBzAJ3eWXjk– Overview of 5 street dance styles

Key Stage 4

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/dance/gcse/dance-4230  This has the videos of the set phrases that we learn in class and all information relating to GCSE Dance.
https://www.jamescousinscompany.com/within-her-eyes ‘Within Her Eyes’ (a GCSE set work we study)
http://www.boyblueent.com/ ‘Emancipation of Expressionism’ (a GCSE set work we study)
http://www.rambert.org.uk/performances/a-linha-curva/ ‘A Linah Curva’ (a GCSE set work we study)
http://stopgapdance.com/productions/artificial-things-2014-stage ‘Artificial Things’ (a GCSE set work we study)
http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/infra-by-wayne-mcgregor ‘Infra’ (a GCSE set work we study)
http://www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/work/shadows/ ‘Shadows’ (a GCSE set work we study)
https://www.artspool-e-learning.com/ GCSE Dance E-Learning Hub

Key Stage 3:

Homework in dance is set every lesson. The homework will vary from written to practical tasks. For example students may be asked to create a poster or complete some research on a dance style we are studying in class. Or students may be asked to practice the movement learnt in class. It is very important that students practice what is learnt in class in order to make progress as we have a lesson once a fortnight.

Methods for practicing:

• Repetition – going over and over the movement.
• Teaching a peer/sibling.
• Drawing or writing down the movement learnt.
• Making use of the dance studio at break/lunch times to practice by yourself or with a peer.

Key Stage 4/5:

Homework is set on a regular basis. Again, it will be a mixture of practical and written homework, such as exam questions, research and attending rehearsals. It is very important that students attend rehearsals in order to improve and make progress and to support the rest of the group if it is a group performance.

For GCSE Dance students have access to an online revision tool ‘E-Learning Hub’. Letters are sent out to parents giving further details about this.

As a Performing Arts department we aim to provide students with as many opportunities as possible to watch live performances and perform outside of the school environment. Therefore as a Dance department we offer many extra-curricular activities throughout the year. 

Examples of these include:

• Rock Challenge (a Dance and Drama competition in Stevenage).
• Primary Dance Festival at Barnhill.
• Secondary Dance Festival at Bishopshalt.
• Performing Arts Showcases run every half term.
• Theatre trips have included trips to Sadlers Wells, The Roundhouse and West End Theatres to see a variety of shows.
• Barnhill’s Got Talent
• And many more!!

We have a Gifted and Talented programme within the Performing Arts curriculum area that has been running for over six years. Each year students are selected by their Dance, Drama and Music teachers to be a member of the Performing Arts Gifted and Talented group. We welcome students at the start of the academic year with a presentation evening where they receive their badge and we share with them the opportunities available to them to develop their gifts and talents.

The aim of the programme is to increase the standard and reputation of all performances and provide these students with the opportunities and experiences to develop and grow. We aim to develop students to be creative, cooperative, confident, cultured, expressive, reflective and self-motivated. 

Drama at Barnhill is an exploration of imagination and self-discovery. We look to build the complete student, one that is not only academically able but confident in themselves and the world around them.

Mr A Potts	Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts & Programme Leader for Whole School Enrichment
Mr G Pilkington	Subject Leader - Drama
Mrs S Smith	Drama Teacher
Miss S Bhandari	Drama Teacher

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 - 9

At Key Stage 3 students learn the value of Drama as a subject to advance confidence. Students will have the opportunity to work with others, learn performing skills and appreciate why Drama is a fundamental part of their Barnhill growth.

Year 7

Students study Drama for one hour per week. Throughout the year students experience a range of Drama activities and learn and create Drama of many different themes/styles including: Ancient Greece, Melodrama and Shakespeare.

Year 8

Students study Drama for one hour per week. Throughout the year students experience a range of Drama activities and learn and create Drama of many different themes/styles including: Talk Shows, Horror and Shakespeare.

Year 9

In Year 9 students looking at all aspects of voice and gaining mastery of these skills to apply to performances. They are given an introduction to creative intention and theatre history. Students look at all aspects of movement and gaining mastery of these skills to apply to performances. The study an introduction to creative intention.

Key Stage 4 - Year 10 and 11

BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts

The Award gives learners  the opportunity to develop sector specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:

•  Development of key skills that prove learners’ aptitude in performing arts, such as reproducing repertoire or responding to stimulus
• Process that underpins effective ways of working in the performing arts, such as development of ideas, rehearsal and performance
• Attitudes that are considered most important in the performing arts, including personal management and communication
• Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, processes and attitudes in the sector, such as roles, responsibilities, performance disciplines and styles.

This Award complements the learning in other GCSE programmes such as GCSE Drama and GCSE Dance by broadening experience and skills participation in different types of performance activities, with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills practically, through project work such as developing ideas and performing for specific audiences.

Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13

Edexcel Drama and Theatre Studies

Component 1: Devising (Coursework 40%)

Component 2: Text in Performance (Practical Examination 20%)

Component 3:  Theatre Makers in Practice (Written Examination - 2 hours and 30 minutes 40%)

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Drama)

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education.

All the content of this qualification is mandatory, with two units which focus on:

• Practical skills and techniques in a range of performing arts disciplines
• Critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of practitioners work.

Learners will gain a taste and an appreciation of performing arts, through knowledge and experience of the performance process. Learners will also have the opportunity to develop a range 

of skills, techniques and personal attributes which will be valuable across all areas of future study and work.

Key Stage 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/speaking_listening/drama/revision/1/

Key Stage 4

Blood Brothers Willy Russell

DNA- Dennis Kelly

http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Secondary/Drama/14-16/EdexcelGCSE91DRAMA2016/ISBN/Student_Book/EdexcelGCSE91DramaStudentBook.aspx (Student text book)

Key Stage 5

Miss Julie- August Strindberg

Caucasian Chalk Circle- Bertolt Brecht

https://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Secondary/Drama/16plus/EdexcelALEVELDRAMA2016/ISBN/Student_Book/EdexcelAlevelDramaandTheatreStudentBookandActiveBook.aspx

Key Stage 3:

Homework in Drama is set every lesson. The homework will vary from written to practical tasks. For example students may be asked to create a poster or complete some research on a Drama topic we are studying in class. Or students may be asked to practice the performance learnt in class.

Key Stage 4/5:

Homework is set on a regular basis. Again, it will be a mixture of practical and written homework, such as exam questions, research and attending rehearsals. It is very important that students attend rehearsals in order to improve and make progress and to support the rest of the group if it is a group performance.

As a Performing Arts department we aim to provide students with as many opportunities as possible to watch live performances and perform outside of the school environment. Therefore as a department we offer many extra-curricular activities throughout the year. 

Examples of these include:

• Rock Challenge (a Dance and Drama competition in Stevenage).
• Performing Arts Showcases run every half term.
• Theatre trips have included trips to the West End to see a variety of productions.
• Barnhill’s Got Talent
• Yearly School Production
• Year 9 Btec Performance

• And many more!!

We have a Gifted and Talented programme within the Performing Arts curriculum area that has been running for over six years. Each year students are selected by their Dance, Drama and Music teachers to be a member of the Performing Arts Gifted and Talented group. We welcome students at the start of the academic year with a presentation evening where they receive their badge and we share with them the opportunities available to them to develop their gifts and talents.

The aim of the programme is to increase the standard and reputation of all performances and provide these students with the opportunities and experiences to develop and grow. We aim to develop students to be creative, cooperative, confident, cultured, expressive, reflective and self-motivated. 

Music plays a critical role in our everyday lives and is a universal shared idea between all cultures from around the world. To be able to listen to and appreciate the music of others, and to compose and perform music of your own is one of the highest forms of creativity. 

Students will continue to use their voices, to create and compose music of their own building on the works of the great composers and musicians that have come before them. They’ll develop a greater understanding of how ideas are communicated through music and how music is communicated about. 

Mr R Taylor	Curriculum Leader for Music
Mr C Jones	Teacher of Music

Key Stage 3

Booklets are provided to each student for each unit of work. Further reading and resources can be found in the knowledge organiser in each booklet. Students also have access to practice rooms outside of lessons for additional practice and rehearsal. 

All homework is set through Focus on Sound, which every student in the school has a login to access. 

Key Stage 4

Rhinegold Education GCSE Music Study Guide (Edexcel), booklets provided by the school, accessing practice rooms at break, lunch and after-school. 

Focus on Sound and Teoria are made available to students for study towards their exams. 

Key Stage 3:

• Homework is set fortnightly in music using Focus on Sound, an online platform that students can access with their school email and password
• As well as this, careers reading is given to students each half-term to be engaged with at home with parents

Key Stage 4:

• 1 piece of recap homework is set each week on Focus on Sound, an online platform that students can access with their school email and password
• Students are expected to spend a further 10 minutes per day practicing their instrument in preparation for performances
• Students are expected to spend 20 minutes a week in the music rooms working on their composition each week
• Further revision can be collected from their teacher, or Focus on Sound can be explored to allow students to revise and strengthen their knowledge

Instrument lessons – offered to all students across drums, guitar, voice and piano teaching. 

Concerts - termly music concert to showcase the hard work and determination of our students. This includes solo performances and performances from our lunchtime and after-school groups. 

Lunchtime and after-school groups – these adapt to student demand, and an up to date offer is available for students to see at all times in the music corridor. Current examples of clubs include choir, rock band and synth group. We also offer a music theory help session at break times for 1:1 help with theory. 

Music leaders – students are selected each year to help us run the department, placing students into a leadership position within the school. 

Gifted and More able students are given opportunities to further their learning through extra-curricular groups and the music leadership programme. Within lessons they are stretched and challenged through questioning and advanced tasks that extend their learning beyond the main lesson.