Performing Arts Faculty
At The Avon Valley School, we believe the Performing Arts are a powerful way to nurture ambition. Performing arts at Avon Valley is highly regarded, offering students a wealth of opportunities to pursue their passions, which is why so many students are excited to join us. For students who live outside our catchment area, we have a special audition process to give them a chance to attend our school based on their artistic drive and talent.
We truly believe that performing arts are fundamental within the school curriculum. It's not just about acting, dancing or singing; it's about helping young people discover their talents and build a strong sense of self-belief, fostering the respect needed for both personal growth and teamwork. This confidence often carries over into their other subjects, helping them develop a more positive and focused approach to all their learning.
Our dedicated team is passionate about what we do; going above and beyond to provide a supportive and caring environment, ensuring every young person can achieve their aspirations. With all the different courses we offer, your child will have a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the performing arts to the fullest.
key stage 3
A brief overview of the topics covered by the faculty:
Drama |
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Term 1: Woodchester Mansion - exploring the genre of horror |
Term 1: Noughts and Crosses - exploration of prejudice, discrimination and forbidden love in a society rigidly divided by race |
Term 1: Blood Brothers - exploration of text (social, historical, cultural) |
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Term 2: The Zorkons - exploration of race and diversity |
Term 2: The Holocaust - exploration of prejudice and divide through the lens of love and unity |
Term 2: Exploration of explorative strategies, roles and responsibilities within the theatre industry Devised performance |
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Term 3: Face by Benjamin Zephaniah - exploration of prejudice and self-reflection |
Term 3: Gangs - exploration of peer pressure and gender roles within gang culture |
Term 3: Exploration - theatre practitioners and live performance review |
Music |
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
year 9 |
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Musical Literacy Instrumental Music Indian Music |
Jazz and Blues Rock Music Popular and Electronic Dance Music |
Unit 1: Composing Popular Music Students will learn how popular music is composed. They will compose their own songs or raps and all of the underlying instrumental tracks before recording elements of the tracks using our recording studio. The key components of learning are:
Unit 2: Musical forms and devices This unit will look at the origins of western music focusing on classical music. Students will look at how it developed over time and how it is now commonly used in music for films and TV. The key components of learning are:
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Dance |
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Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
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Nutcracker! Computer Games Dance Indian Dance Street Dance Dance Styles |
Written in the Stars Street Dance Musicals A Sporting World |
Apprentice Dancer Apprentice Choreographer Apprentice Critique Apprentice Performer |
key stage 4 courses
GCSE Drama |
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AQA GCSE in Drama Drama offers students the opportunity to creatively explore texts and ideas; to engage practically (as well as academically) and learn how to analyse and evaluate drama and theatre. |
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Course structure |
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Component 1: Understanding Drama (40% of qualification) What’s assessed * Knowledge and understanding of Drama and Theatre * Study of the of set texts (AVS) ‘Blood Brothers’. * Analysis and evaluation of the work of a live theatre production How it's assessed Written Paper, 1hr 45min. Open book – Blood Brothers Live Theatre review. Total 80 marks. |
Component 2: Devising Drama (40% of qualification) What’s assessed * Process of creating Drama through devising your own work. * Perform the devised piece to a live audience * Analysis and evaluation of the process and product of your work How it's assessed Practically & Written Devising longs 60 marks. Devised performance 20 marks. Total 80 marks |
Component 3: Texts in practice (20% of qualification) What’s assessed * Perform two extracts from a published text chosen by the centre How it's assessed Practically assessed. Both extracts are performed with 20 marks each. Total 40 marks . |
Drama BTEC technical award in performing arts |
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BTEC Tech Award The BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts is a practical course, designed for students who want to acquire sector specific skills for the performing arts with a focus on the acting industry. It is a powerful and inspiring qualification that encourages students to develop as artistic and imaginative learners whilst fostering creativity through their personal journey as an actor, whatever their previous experiences in the subject. The BTEC Tech Award qualification is equivalent to one GCSE grade. |
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Course structure |
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Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (30% of qualification) Students will take part in practical workshops exploring different professional works and plays in the acting industry. They will examine professional works and plays by understanding the theme, production features and the process of how the professional works are created. What’s assessed? * Investigate how professional performance or production work is created. * Demonstrate understanding of the skills, techniques and approaches used by professionals to create performance work. How it’s assessed Written coursework completed based on one play linked to a theme set by the exam board. Total 60 Marks |
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30% of qualification) Students will develop their acting skills and techniques in workshops whilst learning and reproducing professional script work from a play. Throughout this component, they will review their own progress and consider how to make improvements. What’s assessed? * Use rehearsal or production/design processes * Apply skills and techniques in performance or realisation * Review own development and application of performance How it’s assessed Rehearsal footage and written diary log. Final performance of professional repertoire. Written evaluation reviews. Total 60 Marks |
Component 3: Responding to a Brief (40% of qualification) Students will work as part of a group to contribute and create a mini performance in response to a brief and stimulus. They will plan, prepare, perform and evaluate their piece. What’s assessed? * AO1. Understand how to respond to a brief * AO2. Select and develop skills and techniques in response to a brief * AO3. Apply skills & techniques in a workshop performance in response to a brief * AO4. Evaluate the development process and outcome in response to a brief. How it’s assessed 3 written log. Final performance of devised piece created and performed. Total 60 Marks |
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GCSE Music |
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Eduqas GCSE in Music This specification fosters candidates' musical sensitivity, creativity and aural perception through the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding and the exercise of the imagination. It promotes candidates' cultural development, involvement in and enjoyment of music as performers, composers and appraisers through the study of a wide range of music. |
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Course structure |
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Composing (30% of qualification) Total duration of compositions: 3 – 6 minutes. Two compositions, one of which must be in response to a brief set by WJEC Eduqas. Learners will choose one brief from a choice of four, each one linked to an area of study. The briefs will be released during the first week of September in the academic year in which the assessment is to be taken. The second composition is a free composition for which learners set their own brief. How it's assessed Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated |
Performing (30% of qualification) Total duration of performances: 4 – 6 minutes. A minimum of two pieces, one of which must be an ensemble performance of at least one minute duration. The other piece(s) may be either solo and/or ensemble. One of the pieces performed must link to an area of study of the learner’s choice. How it's assessed Non-exam assessment: internally assessed, externally moderated |
Appraising (40% of qualification) There are eight questions in total, two on each of the four areas of study. Two of the eight questions will be based on prepared extracts set by the WJEC Eduqas. How it's assessed Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes |
BTEC Technical Award in performing Arts - dance approach |
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BTEC Tech Award - Dance The BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts - Dance approach is a practical course, designed for students who are enthusiastic about dance and the dance industry. It is a powerful and inspiring qualification that encourages students to develop as artistic and imaginative learners whilst fostering creativity through their personal journey as a dancer, whatever their previous experiences in the subject. The BTEC Tech Award qualification is equivalent to one GCSE grade. |
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Course structure |
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Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts (30% of qualification) Students will take part in practical workshops exploring different professional works from different dance styles. They will examine professional works understanding the theme, production features and the process of how the works are created. What’s assessed? * Investigate how professional performance or production work is created. * Demonstrate understanding of the skills, techniques and approaches used by professionals to create performance work. How it’s assessed Written coursework completed based on one professional dance work linked to a theme set by the exam board. Total 60 Marks |
Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30% of qualification) Students will develop their dance skills and techniques in workshops whilst learning and reproducing professional dance repertoire. Throughout this component, they will review their own progress and consider how to make improvements. What’s assessed? * Use rehearsal or production/design processes * Apply skills and techniques in performance or realisation * Review own development and application of performance How it’s assessed Rehearsal footage and written diary log. Final performance of professional repertoire. Written evaluation reviews. Total 60 Marks |
Component 3: Responding to a Brief (40% of qualification) Students will work as part of a group to contribute and create a mini performance in response to a brief and stimulus. They will plan, prepare, perform and evaluate their piece. What’s assessed? * AO1. Understand how to respond to a brief * AO2. Select and develop skills and techniques in response to a brief * AO3. Apply skills & techniques in a workshop performance in response to a brief * AO4. Evaluate the development process and outcome in response to a brief. How it’s assessed 3 written logs. Final performance of choreography created and performed. Total 60 Marks |
Useful websites:
https://www.new-adventures.net/
https://rambert.org.uk/about-rambert/rambert-archive/performance-database/works/swansong/
http://www.rambert.org.uk/whats-on/a-linha-curva/
https://www.stopgapdance.com/artificial-things--the-film
https://www.jamescousinscompany.com/within-her-eyes
http://boyblueent.com/?page_id=16352
https://www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/work/shadows/
https://www.roh.org.uk/productions/infra-by-wayne-mcgregor
Performing Arts Staff
Miss E Wheatley
Mr J Collins
Miss S Spraggett
sspraggett@avonvalleyschool.uk
Miss E Carpenter
ecarpenter@avonvalleyschool.uk
Mrs E Forrest
Mrs S Cheetham
Mr M Good