Performance

Performance Department Staff

Curriculum Leader: Miss N Slack

Performance Teachers
Drama: Mrs N Burton & Mr M Hardacre
Music: Miss L Firth
Physical Education: Mr G Barton, Mr J Gillespie, Mr B Howman & Miss N Slack

Curriculum Maps

Drama

Music

Physical Education

Intent

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

In our Performance subjects we want pupils to develop a love of learning. We want them to be free, to be creative, try new challenges and not be afraid to fail. We believe in encouraging all pupils to be their very best and try to find their own God given gifts and talents. We are an inclusive department that allows all pupils to reach their own potential, whilst developing their skills, knowledge and character. Our curriculum allows pupils to grow into young people that have developed key life skills which will prepare them for their future careers.

Drama Intent

Our intent supports our vision through a broad, balanced, relevant and ambitious curriculum for all our pupils, which fosters an aspirational culture of high achievement. Drama is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. This curriculum has a foundation of equality, inclusivity and diversity. We aim to deliver a well-sequenced curriculum, which widens the enrichment experiences and further develops the cultural capital of young people. Our aim is to allow pupils to have the confidence to perform, be imaginative and creative. Be able to interpret and perform a range of scripts applying their own artistic vision. Understand the process of planning, rehearsing and reviewing performance whilst also exploring contemporary issues, in a safe environment and empathise and engage with others outside their own social, cultural and historical setting.

Music Intent

We believe that pupils should gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. We are committed to ensuring all pupils understand the value and importance of music and can use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. Our music curriculum will give pupils a chance to develop the confidence to perform, take ownership of their own creative work, work with others to solve problems, and support and show respect to others when performing.

Physical Education Intent

In Physical Education we want pupils to see the value in a healthy and balanced lifestyle and see the benefits of taking part in physical activity. Our curriculum aim is to focus on their Head, Heart and Hands.

Head is improving their knowledge of physical activities in terms of rules, tactics and strategies. It is also the knowledge of how to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Their heart relates to increasing their confidence in physical activities and improving their life skills and character development such as leadership, communication, problem solving and resilience, encouraging them to be self- motivated to engage in physical activity.

Hands is developing their competence across a range of sports and activities, so they feel confident to participate. Further to this, pupils are given a plethora of opportunities to participate in competitive sport and other activities beyond the curriculum to build character, cooperation and help to embed values such as tolerance, fairness and respect.

The main aim is to prepare pupils for success in wider life and their future aspirations and for lifelong activity.

Catholic Social Teaching with Performance

We follow the 'STM Way' and provide a Dignity of the Human Person where all pupils are treated fairly and are encouraged to show respect for each other, the opinions of others, the work of each other, staff, and the resources they are provided with. We help each other, we learn together, we celebrate together, and we face challenges together.

We believe in the Common Good, where we respect and celebrate each other's gifts and talents. We value the importance of the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, where we care for and treat everyone equally, no matter of their background. God’s gifts are for everyone; sharing of resources and ideas; helping everybody to be happy together; using our gifts to help others; working together; exploring fairness and justice and by being Christ’s voice in our classes.

Dignity of Education allows us to continue to participate in God’s creation, whilst providing a varied and creative education and promoting good work ethic. Everyone has the right to an Education. We are helping to do God’s work; we use our gifts for each other; everybody’s Education is valuable and important.

We value Family and Community and believe the human person is not only sacred, but social. Our class societies, groupings and seating plans all have an impact on the dignity and growth of each and every one of our pupils.

Pupil Affirmation

"Drama helps me to boost my confidence, it allows me to step out of my comfort zone. I used to be quiet and shy in Year 7, and now I can confidently speak in assemblies. It has allowed me to gain skills to qualify as a senior prefect at St Thomas More" - Year 11

“PE is a brilliant subject. It is always fast tempo, with brilliant teachers. Everyone gets involved, everyone has fun, really interactive and easy to learn new things. My favourite lesson in school.”

"St Thomas More Catholic High School has an awesome music department. It is a great place to show off your talents. In music we go on a lot of trips and do a lot of concerts. Music is a great way to be involved in the community."

Learning Outside of the Classroom

Within the Performance Department we offer many opportunities for our pupils to enrich their knowledge and skills in the creative areas.

Pupils are given opportunities to play sport at various locations and facilities to further enhance their skills. They can take part in fixtures representing school against other schools. They are also given the opportunity to visit gyms, colleges and theatres through trips that are organised. Pupils have the opportunity to attend the ski trip which allows them to learn a new skill and culture in a different country. The are also given opportunities to sing and perform outside of school with the choir. Pupils are offered new opportunities within school for song writing or music recording workshops.

Inclusivity

In Performance we believe that all pupils, including Disadvantaged and Achievement for All, are entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum that will support them in fulfilling their God given potential. All pupils have equal opportunities as part of our family to enable them to succeed. We are committed, through our shared faith, to providing inclusive learning opportunities across the subject areas in our department, which enriches pupils and gives them regular opportunities to progress and achieve excellence.

We have very passionate subject teachers who provide an inclusive, nurturing environment that ensures every pupil receives every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Reading

As a creative and practical subject we still value the importance of reading and terminology. Being able to understand and interpret our key words so pupils can access our curriculum is vital. All lessons use a 'do now' task at the start to recap our key terminology for each unit of work. Assessment at KS3 and KS4 focuses on our ability to recall, interpret and use the key words in practical and theoretical contexts. Through Drama pupils are encouraged to read scripts as part of their course. In KS4 all pupils are encouraged to read in class and through homework tasks.

Rewards

In Performance we believe it is important to celebrate the work of our pupils. We push pupils to achieve their very best in all areas of the department. We encourage pupils to grow through experimentation and we nurture them to try new things.

Pupils are given plentiful experiences to shine and to showcase their God given talents.

We celebrate hard work and achievement daily. We have a 'Star of the Week' board where each member of staff will nominate their star for that week and names will be displayed for the week. These pupils receive an email home and are put into a draw where they could win a voucher.

We want to promote and celebrate success; we regularly share news and celebrate work on Facebook and Instagram with the STM community.

Pupils are also given positive points on Bromcom to celebrate their achievements and to reflect how they have demonstrated Catholic Social Teachings across the department.

In Performance we like to encourage pupils to be a part of our community by demonstrating our Catholic Social Teachings within the classroom and at extra-curricular opportunities; pupils are always rewarded for this through positive points, contact with home and rewards including trips/days.