All-Round Education

The Year 7-9 Drama curriculum is rooted in contemporary practice, and care is taken each year to adapt content and teaching strategies to ensure the very best learning opportunities are given to students.  The teaching here pays homage to the traditions of acting and theatre-making, with students exploring the fundamentals of stagecraft, Greeks and the origins of theatre, Shakespeare & verse, improvisation & comedy, script writing and page-to-stage techniques.  Beyond the traditional, we explore more niche areas of interest such as collaborative devising, the teachings of contemporary practitioners and the works of established, national portfolio organisations, such as Punchdrunk, Complicite and Frantic Assembly.  

In Years 10-11, students study the Eduqas GCSE in Drama, which pushes them to analyse and evaluate their own skills as an actor, designer and director.  Their work includes collaborative devising from a stimulus, page-to-stage conventions through a scripted examination, and the exploration of a full set text, which will inform their responses to short and extended questions in their Year 11 written exam, alongside which there is an extended response question about their experience of live theatre. These areas of study include accompanying coursework, which can be submitted as either a physical portfolio or a digital presentation.  

In Sixth Form, students study the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Drama, equivalent of 1.5 A Levels). This is a practical and pragmatic course designed for the modern performer. The curriculum focuses on industry-standard skills and knowledge, including the understanding of a range of practitioners, genres and established works, contemporary script development, physical theatre, theatre directing and collaborative devising. You won’t just study theatre; you’ll create it, managing everything from initial concept to the final production.  

The Dance curriculum is designed to inspire confident, creative and reflective young performers. Across Key Stage 3, students discover the power of movement as a language, developing strong technical foundations while exploring how dance can communicate ideas, emotions and stories that resonate. 

In Year 7, students are introduced to the essential building blocks of dance through an exciting range of styles, from popular music and African dance to contemporary and street. They develop core physical skills such as coordination, rhythm and spatial awareness, while learning fundamental choreographic techniques including motif, formation and variation. Through musical theatre, they also begin to explore storytelling and characterisation, building confidence from the very start. 

In Year 8, students expand their creative toolkit and deepen their understanding of dance as an expressive art form. They explore choreography through narrative and stimulus, with vibrant units such as London Underground, global dance styles, and Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Students learn to think critically and communicate meaning through movement, while engaging with important themes such as identity and mental health. Opportunities to film performance work and develop more structured choreography encourage independence, creativity and pride in their growing artistry. 

In Year 9, students refine their technical, analytical and performance skills even further. They explore professional works such as Message in a Bottle, gaining insight into dance style, history and practitioner influence. Through technique development, contact work and dance analysis, students strengthen physical control and their ability to evaluate performance with maturity. They take increased ownership of their ideas through the creative process, culminating in performance units, such as musical theatre, where expression, character and stage presence take centre stage. 

Across Key Stage 3, students are encouraged to take risks, think boldly and reflect meaningfully on their work. Our curriculum nurtures valuable transferable skills, confidence, communication and collaboration, preparing them brilliantly for further study in the performing arts. 

At Key Stage 4, students study the BTEC Tech Award Level 2 in Dance, a dynamic, highly practical qualification that allows them to thrive as performers, choreographers and reflective practitioners. The course blends hands-on creativity with thoughtful analysis, giving students a rich understanding of the performing arts industry. 

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts 

Students investigate professional repertoire such as Hamilton and Message in a Bottle by Kate Prince. They explore how choreographers use movement, intention and production elements to create meaning, analysing stylistic features, performance demands and the artistic choices that shape a piece. 

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques 

Here, students focus on advancing their own performance skills. Through regular rehearsal and live performance opportunities, they develop technical precision, coordination and expressive range. They learn to apply stylistic features with authenticity and refine their work through ongoing feedback and self-reflection. 

Component 3: Responding to a Brief  

Students bring all their knowledge together by creating and performing original choreography in response to a set stimulus. They plan, experiment, rehearse and refine their ideas through the creative process, demonstrating imagination, teamwork and the ability to communicate narrative and emotion in performance. 

Throughout KS4, students grow in independence, creativity and confidence. They gain a strong understanding of the creative process and develop invaluable skills, communication, collaboration, resilience and critical thinking. The course equips them not only for further study in dance but for a future within the wider performing arts industry. 

In VI Form, students study the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance), a practical, ambitious course designed for dancers ready to train at a professional level. Students develop strong technical skills across a range of styles, explore influential practitioners and repertoire, and deepen their understanding of choreography, performance and creative process. 

They work collaboratively and independently to create original work, taking responsibility for shaping choreography from initial idea to final performance. This is a course where students don’t just study dance, they make it, developing the confidence, discipline and versatility needed for further training or a future in the performing arts industry. 

The School’s music department boasts purpose-built teaching and practice rooms, with six full-time staff members and five visiting instrumental teachers, the team brings extensive educational and professional experience, including careers in HM Forces music services, West End productions, broadcasting, recording industries, and church music.

Students are encouraged to explore their musical passions through a variety of ensembles, including choirs, concert bands, big bands, rock/pop bands, and our esteemed Military Band.

Instrumental lessons covering woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, voice, and piano are available to all students, integrated into their weekly timetables. Throughout the year, students have opportunities to showcase their talents both within and beyond the School, with our ensembles featured in television broadcasts and performances of national and international significance.

In Year 7, students receive an introduction to Military Band instruments, with tuition provided as part of their music lessons. Further instrumental lessons are encouraged in Year 8, with the opportunity to join the Military Band in Year 9.