The ethos of our faculty is to engender the exploration of cultural and creative diversity. The Expressive and Performing Arts faculty delivers a broad and vibrant curriculum to meet the needs of all of our learners. We work closely with external practitioners and other professionals to get the very best opportunities for our students. We have an excellent partnership with The Dukes Theatre at Lancaster where we are able to work closely with their actors, technicians and administrative team to support learning and for work placed opportunities. We also work very closely with the excellent touring company Splendid Productions. We have a very beneficial partnership with The Lancashire Music Service and our Music Department works very closely with them.
Students have the opportunity to engage in Music in the school’s various ensembles and through instrumental and vocal tuition. Groups rehearse once a week and perform concerts throughout the year. Every two years the Music Department takes it’s ensembles on tour. Most recently the students went to Italy on tour and performed at the Easter Mass at St Marks Baslica in Venice as well as concerts in the town surrounding Lake Garda.
In Visual Arts, each student is encouraged to interpret the set projects in their own personal way. The facilities allow for a range of two dimensional work, particularly drawing, painting, digital manipulation, some 3D art and related areas of study dependent on the arts pathway chosen.
Students have the opportunity to engage in Music in the school’s various ensembles and through instrumental and vocal tuition. Groups rehearse once a week and perform concerts throughout the year. Every two years the Music Department takes it’s ensembles on tour. Most recently the students went to Italy on tour and performed at the Easter Mass at St Marks Baslica in Venice as well as concerts in the town surrounding Lake Garda.
In Visual Arts, each student is encouraged to interpret the set projects in their own personal way. The facilities allow for a range of two dimensional work, particularly drawing, painting, digital manipulation, some 3D art and related areas of study dependent on the arts pathway chosen.
Drama at Key Stage 3
Year 9 students will study drama as a discrete subject for one hour per week. They will explore scripted and devised work which will be assessed in accordance with the Arts Council levels. Students will work thematically across a broad range of topics and will be encouraged to develop their views on their broader community and the society in which they live. Towards the end of Year 9 they will be given the option to study Drama at GCSE or Performing Arts BTEC in preparation for their KS4 curriculum in year 10.
Part of the Year 9 Drama Scheme of Learning is used to support areas of the National Curriculum and the Every Child Matters Agenda by focusing on the following themes:
- Identity and cultural diversity
- Healthy lifestyles and staying safe
- Creativity and critical thinking
- Personal and social wellbeing.
Some of the above themes cover sensitive issues through age-appropriate texts. Two plays in particular have been selected to provoke discussion, empathy and creativity. These will be delivered during the autumn term.
‘Bang out of Order’, by Danny Sturrock, explores the impact of anti-social behaviour orders on families and friends. ‘Heroin Lies’, by Wayne Dehnfy, looks at the repercussions of substance misuse amongst young people and the tragic effects this can have on their families.
While we acknowledge the sensitive content within these works, we do ensure our students are offered support, in school, by a range of other professionals throughout our delivery of the above. These include, but are not limited to the local Police and ‘Addaction’.
Synopses of these plays are available to view by clicking here. If you would like any further information or advice then please do not hesitate to contact us in the Drama Department.
Drama at Key Stage 4
We offer BTEC Performing Arts and GCSE Drama. Both courses lead to level 2 accreditation. The GCSE syllabus we currently use is with AQA and is graded A* - G with a 60% practical coursework and 40% written exam. Students explore a range of acting styles and develop their understanding of how to create highly effective pieces of theatre. They will watch live performances and learn how to analyse the impact that theatre has upon specific audiences. Our students work is regularly used by AQA to serve as an example of Outstanding attainment.
The BTEC incorporates three units each assessed using Pass Merit or Distinction criteria. Units are varied to suit the interests of each cohort of learners. Some are performance based whilst others explore the business aspects of performing arts. There are no final written exams but students are expected to have a mature attitude to learning and be able to commit to the rigours of rehearsals and public performances.
Drama in the 6th form
Drama at LSA has an outstanding and well deserved reputation. Our students are excellent ambassadors in the wider community and as mentors to younger learners. We offer a range or enrichment activities such as working in other schools to support Drama, TIE projects to enhance learning in our Primary schools and 6th for led Drama Club for younger students. We offer:
BTEC Performing Arts at Level 3 This is a dynamic and fast paced course where students can currently opt into the equivalent of 2 options (potentially worth 240 UCAS points) or three options (potentially worth 360) UCAS points) These courses are usually selected by students intending to study Performing Arts, Theatre or Drama at university or Drama school. We offer intensive training and preparation for level 4 study and our students are highly successful in their applications to university.
A’ level Theatre studies. This is a stimulating and exciting course that enables students to build upon the skills gained at KS4. 40% 0f the course is practical assessment whilst the other 60% is a written exam. This course suits students who enjoy performing and exploring texts and watching live theatre. Students work is publically performed throughout the course.
Curriculum Plan
Drama
BTEC Performing Arts First Award
BTEC Performing Arts Diploma
Music in Key stage 3
Students have a music lesson for one hour every week throughout years 7, 8 and 9. During these three years students work on their performing skill with regular class performances and the keyboard, guitar and other instruments. Students learn how to describe, analyse and appreciate music from different eras, cultures and understand the significance of them on modern popular music. Students also compose in a variety of styles from classical to world to modern rock music. Throughout the three years students gain an exceptional understanding of the world of music and its impact on everyday life. Students confidence also grows with regular performances to the class. At the end of Year 9 they will be given the opportunity to study Music at GCSE or Music Technology BTEC in year 10 and 11.
Music at Key Stage 4
We offer BTEC Music Technology and GCSE Music. The GCSE syllabus we currently use is with Edexcel and is graded A* - G with a 60% practical coursework and 40% written exam. The GCSE has three areas: Composing, with students asked to compose two pieces during the two years. Performance, with students asked to perform an ensemble and solo piece for their coursework and Listening, where students sit a 1½ hour exam based on 12 set works.
Extra Curricular Music groups
The school has lots of opportunities for students to perform. Groups rehearse once a week and perform concerts throughout the year.
Monday
3.15pm to 4.00pm– Windband in L11
Tuesday
Lunchtime - Barbershop in L9
3.15pm to 4.00pm – Student ensembles in L11
Wednesday
3.15pm to 4.00pm – String Group in L10
Thursday
3.15pm to 4.00pm – Choir in L9
Friday
3.15pm to 4.00pm – Orchestra in L9
Curriculum Plan
Key Stage 3 Art, Craft and Design
In art, craft and design, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. In art, craft and design, pupils reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently.
Our aim is that students gain knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Understand the non-verbal language of art
- Develop responses to visual phenomena, and organize perceptions and conceptualizations both rationally and intuitively
- Become familiar with and develop competence in a number of art skills
- Make valid assessments of quality in works of art
- Become familiar with the major achievements in the history of art, including the works and intentions of leading artists past and present
- Understand and evaluate contemporary thinking.
Course Outline Art and Design GCSE
This two year GCSE course is intended for those learners who want to follow a broad course in Art and Design.
The learners will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional media, techniques and processes, including both traditional and new technologies. They will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples which should be integral to the investigating and making process. Responses to these examples must be shown through practical and critical activities which demonstrate the learners understanding of different styles, genres and traditions.
The themed projects are mainly teacher led with plenty of opportunity for the learners to develop their own ideas independently. Weekly art homework tasks are set throughout the course and these are an important and integral part of the syllabus. Interesting, well planned homework tasks are vital to gaining a good final grade. Deadlines are crucial so good time management and organisational skills are essential. If you have Struggled with producing high quality work in KS3 think carefully, as KS4 tasks take longer and are more in depth. There will be opportunities to visit museums, art galleries, artist workshops and other places of interest to enhance the learners' knowledge, skills and understanding in this subject area.
During the Spring term of Year 11 an Externally Set Task is undertaken whereby the learners are given a question to research, develop and then have a ten hour sustained period of time to produce a final outcome – this is performed totally on their own and is the ‘exam’ element of the course. This, together with their portfolio of work, is mounted and displayed as a final exhibition.
AS Level AS and A2 Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Communication
Unit 1 - Course Portfolio:
You are required to produce a portfolio of work for this unit. This will include work from direct observations, analysis of your own work and the work of others in contemporary, historical and cultural contexts. Investigations using a variety of media and scale leading to a personal, well researched final outcome. Marks: 25%
Unit 2 - Controlled Assignment:
This unit has three elements: Planning, Preparation and Realisation. A question paper is given out in early February from which you choose one starting point. You have several weeks to experiment, record and research and you may consult with your tutor as you develop your ideas. The final piece of work is produced independently under controlled conditions in five hours in May. Your exhibition of both units of work must be displayed at the end of May. It will be marked by your tutors and a moderator from the exam board. Your friends and family will be invited to a final exhibition at the end of June. Marks - 25%
A2 Level
Unit 3:
For this unit you are required to use personal starting point(s) to produce a major project that shows you working through a range of art and design experiences. You will include a personal study, related to your coursework theme, of between 1000 and 3000 words. Marks - 25%
Unit 4 - Controlled Assignment A2
From an early release paper you will choose one starting point. During the initial planning and preparation stage you will demonstrate an ability to record, plan and develop ideas and complete a final response under controlled conditions in 15 hours. Marks - 25%
AS and A2 Fine Art Photography Graphic Communication
Curriculum Plan
Curriculum Plan – Performing Arts Level 2
