In Years 7-9, all students are allocated a lesson each week, where they follow a modular course, which allows them to develop a wide variety of skills in ceramics, textiles, 3D and design as well as painting and drawing. In Year 7, Art is taught as part of an Integrated Curriculum with both Drama and Music, by specialists and non-specialists alike. In Years 8 and 9, a thematic approach is taken to project work which provides range and variety across the course. Each year students build on their previous experience as well as develop new skills.

At the end of Year 9, students are able to opt for Art at GCSE. This is a popular option with around 80 students taking the subject in each year. The course followed is the WJEC syllabus. Students will be introduced to art and design through painting and drawing, sculpture and other fine art practices. They will learn to follow a concept from investigation through to realisation as well as study a range of art, craft and design from a variety of cultures, recent and from the past. They will also develop new skills in a variety of craft and design-based areas.

The coursework accounts for 60% of the assessment. The exam is set by the Board and accounts for 40% of the marks awarded.

At Post 16, students can take A Level Art unendorsed allowing them to specialise in a wide variety of Art areas including Graphics, Textiles, 3D, Fine Art and Lens Based Media. The Department enjoys a high degree of success at this level with many students going onto study art in further and higher education. The course follows the WJEC syllabus.

At AS, the course consists of one unit whilst at A2, a personal study makes up the coursework content with an externally set assignment completing the year with a 15 hour exam.

Careers in Art, Photography and Design are both wide and varied, incorporating opportunities in graphic and computer aided design, theatre design, fashion, 3D design, ceramics, illustration, film. television and set design, animation, advertising, photojournalism, fashion photography, interior design and architecture, as well as fine art options in gallery and museum work, restoration, lecturing and teaching.

All students have two hours of drama per fortnight. Drama at KS3 focuses on skills. The practical work will help students increase their skills in:

• Performance – performing using a range of styles and genre
• Improvising and Devising – as a group or as an individual
• Evaluation and Reflecting – peers, self and others.

Drama aims to help students with their confidence and communication and reflection skills. Year 7 are taught in Form Groups as part of Performing and Expressive Arts in the Integrated Curriculum. Years 8 and 9 are taught in smaller groups of around 20.

WJEC
GCSE Drama

In Year 10, the students will be introduced to, and practically explore, a variety of theatre styles and genres.

Students will devise their own performances, influenced by new and exciting theatre practitioners. They will review their own works and that of others in a written portfolio.

In Year 11, students will rehearse a scene from a published play in preparation for an assessed performance in front of a visiting examiner.

Students will then take a written exam (40% of the qualification) where they will get the opportunity to discuss theatre from the perspective of a director and performer.

WJEC
A Level Drama

Year 12 students will study a text and get an opportunity to reinterpret and perform their adaptation. Students will use practitioner and a live theatre performance to influence any decisions made. In Unit 2, students will prepare for a written paper in which they answer a series of questions based on Media.

Year 13 students will devise their own piece of theatre. Students will rehearse an extract from a script influenced by a practitioner and a live theatre visit. This will be performed to a visiting examiner.

The final Unit will consist of an open book written paper with two questions based on two set texts. This will form 24% of the overall qualification.

All students have two hours of Music per fortnight. The work is practically based and helps students increase their skills in:

• Performing – singing and playing in a range of styles
• Composing/Improvising – group and individual work
• Appraising – detailed listening to a wide range of music.

At GCSE the Specification of WJEC is followed. By requiring active involvement in performing, composing and listening/appraising, an appreciation and enjoyment of music of all kinds is encouraged. It is hoped that this will give students a lasting love of music, which they may then use in preparation for further study or in pursuit of leisure activities.

All students take a listening test, a practical examination – playing alone and as a member of an ensemble – and submit a folio of compositions.

IN THE SIXTH FORM

AS and A level in Music (WJEC) and Music Technology (Edexcel) are offered. The courses provide opportunities for students to develop a range of musical skills and interests.

AS Music

Performing recital, Composing folio, Historical Study - listening exam based on extracts of music (set works) taken from two areas of study. Aural perception (melodic diction, keys, chords, cadences) based on unprepared musical extracts.

A2 Music

Performing recital, Composing folio, Historical Study based upon set works and unprepared 20th/21st Century music.

AS Music Technology

Sequenced performance, multi-track recording, composing, analysing and producing.

A Level Music Technology

Two Practical Tasks – Multi-track Recording, Technology Based Composition

Two written papers – Listening and Analysing, Producing and Analysing (written exam with practical music production tasks).

Three Areas of Study: Recording and Production Techniques; Principles of Audio and Sound Technology; the Development of Recording and Production.