At New Road Academy, the Key Stage 3 Performing Arts curriculum is designed to ignite students’ passion for both Drama and Music while developing key creative, cognitive, and communication skills that are essential for their academic and personal growth.

Purpose of the Curriculum:
By the end of KS3, our students will have gained:

• A solid understanding of musical and dramatic principles, including performance techniques, stagecraft, and music theory.
• The ability to engage with and appreciate a wide variety of performance styles, from classical and contemporary music to traditional and modern theatre.
• The confidence to express themselves creatively through live performances and collaborative projects.
• The foundational knowledge required to pursue more specialised learning in Key Stage 4, including technical skills like improvisation, scriptwriting, composition, and vocal techniques.

Cultural and Social Significance:

Our curriculum ensures that students engage with diverse cultural traditions, historical contexts, and contemporary social issues through the performing arts. For example, students will explore:

• Music from around the world, including African rhythms, reggae, blues, and samba, allowing them to appreciate the rich tapestry of global cultures.
• Drama from classical works to modern texts, helping students develop empathy by understanding different perspectives and societal challenges.

Through this exploration, students not only learn the skills of performance but also how the arts reflect and influence society. They will understand how performing arts serve as a medium for storytelling, social commentary, and cultural expression.

Personal Development:

Performing Arts plays a vital role in developing well-rounded, resilient, and socially aware individuals. Throughout KS3, students will:

• Build self-confidence and public speaking skills by performing in front of peers and external audiences.
• Develop collaboration and teamwork skills by participating in group projects, such as school productions, band performances, and drama showcases.
• Enhance their problem-solving and creative thinking by devising original pieces of music and drama.
• Learn the importance of discipline, focus, and perseverance through regular rehearsals, practice, and feedback-driven improvement.

We believe that Performing Arts fosters a love for creativity while also building essential life skills that students will carry with them throughout their lives, regardless of their chosen career paths.

At New Road Academy, the implementation of our Key Stage 3 Performing Arts curriculum is structured to provide a broad, engaging, and progressive learning experience in both Drama and Music. Our approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, ensuring students develop the skills, knowledge, and creativity necessary for success in the arts.

Curriculum Delivery: The KS3 Performing Arts curriculum is delivered through a combination of practical workshops, performances, and theoretical lessons. Each year is carefully structured to build on the previous year’s learning, ensuring that students are continually developing their skills and knowledge.

• Drama Lessons: Drama lessons focus on developing performance skills, an understanding of key theatrical styles and practitioners, and collaborative group work. Techniques such as still image, thought tracking, and cross-cutting are introduced in Year 7, while more complex skills like character development, physical theatre, and vocal expression are explored in Year 8.
• Music Lessons: Music lessons cover a wide range of topics, including learning to play instruments, exploring musical genres (e.g., blues, reggae, and samba), and developing skills in composition and performance. Students engage in both individual and ensemble work, helping them appreciate the role of collaboration in music-making.

Unit Structure: Each year is broken down into units, with clear objectives and outcomes for each. For example:

• Year 7 Drama: Focus on foundational techniques such as still image, thought tracking, and vocal projection, culminating in group performances.
• Year 8 Drama: Introduction to key practitioners such as Stanislavski and Brecht, with students applying these techniques in performances of scripted and devised pieces.
• Year 7 Music: Exploration of instrument families, basic music theory, and introductory singing techniques, with a focus on performing simple musical pieces.
• Year 8 Music: Further development of musicianship, including more advanced theory, ensemble playing, and composition using genres such as African music and samba.

Practical Application: Our curriculum emphasises practical, hands-on experience in both Music and Drama. Students are regularly involved in:

• Performances: Whether it’s performing in a band, choir, or drama production, students are given numerous opportunities to showcase their talents. This includes both in-class performances and larger productions for the school community.
• Workshops: In both Music and Drama, students participate in workshops designed to deepen their understanding of specific techniques. For instance, students may engage in a drama workshop focusing on physical theatre or a music session dedicated to composition and improvisation.

Assessment: We use a range of assessment methods to monitor student progress throughout the Key Stage 3 programme:

• Formative Assessment: Ongoing feedback is provided during lessons, with a focus on self-reflection, peer assessment, and teacher feedback. This helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Summative Assessment: At the end of each unit, students complete a practical performance or written assessment. This might include performing a piece of music, devising a drama scene, or analysing a musical composition.

Cross-Curricular Links: Our Performing Arts curriculum integrates cross-curricular themes to enrich students’ learning experiences. For example:

• Drama projects often link with English, particularly when studying plays or historical theatre texts.
• Music connects with History and Geography when exploring the cultural roots of musical genres like African drumming or samba.

Supporting All Students: We ensure that all students, regardless of ability or prior experience, are supported in their learning. Differentiated tasks and personalised support are provided to ensure that every student can access the curriculum and make progress. More able students are challenged with leadership roles in group work or given additional opportunities to showcase their talents in public performances.

Use of Technology: Music technology is introduced in Year 8 to allow students to experiment with music production and composition. This prepares students for more advanced study in Key Stage 4, where technology plays a larger role in creating and performing music.

Extracurricular Opportunities: Our vibrant extracurricular programme complements classroom learning, offering students additional opportunities to develop their skills. This includes:

• Drama club and school productions, such as the Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and National Theatre Connections.
• Choir, band rehearsals, and various music clubs where students can collaborate with others and perform in local and regional events.

The Key Stage 3 Performing Arts curriculum at New Road Academy aims to leave a lasting impact on students by developing their confidence, creativity, and communication skills. Through their studies in Music and Drama, students will build essential life skills, a deep appreciation of the arts, and a readiness to succeed in further academic and creative endeavours.

Measuring Impact on Skills and Knowledge: By the end of Key Stage 3, students will have:

• Developed the ability to analyse, interpret, and perform a variety of musical and dramatic works.
• Gained proficiency in using technical skills, such as musical notation, vocal projection, characterisation, and ensemble work.
• Built confidence in their performance abilities, whether in a solo setting or as part of a group.
• Acquired the foundational knowledge required to excel in more advanced Performing Arts study at Key Stage 4, including understanding key musical and dramatic styles, practitioners, and performance techniques.

Assessment Outcomes: The impact of the curriculum is evidenced through the consistent progress that students make in their assessments. These assessments include:

• Performance Assessments: Students demonstrate their skills in live performances of both music and drama. They receive ongoing formative feedback and are encouraged to self-evaluate their progress.
• Written Appraisals: Students engage in reflective tasks, such as evaluating their own work or analysing the work of others. This allows them to articulate their understanding of key concepts and apply critical thinking to the arts.
• Peer and Teacher Feedback: Regular feedback ensures that students are aware of their strengths and areas for development, leading to consistent improvement over time.

Confidence and Communication Skills: One of the core aims of our KS3 Performing Arts curriculum is to build self-confidence and strong communication skills in students. The frequent opportunities for public speaking, performing in front of an audience, and collaborating with peers help students to:

• Speak and perform with confidence, whether in front of small groups or larger audiences.
• Express themselves creatively through voice, movement, and music.
• Build resilience and adaptability by overcoming challenges in rehearsals and performances.

Creative and Critical Thinking: Our curriculum nurtures students’ ability to think creatively and critically. Through their involvement in devised performances, composition projects, and improvisational tasks, students learn to:

• Generate original ideas and express themselves in unique ways.
• Solve problems collaboratively, working as part of a team to bring a performance or musical piece to life.
• Reflect on their work, as well as the work of others, to make informed improvements and develop a deeper understanding of the artistic process.

Collaboration and Social Development: Performing Arts is inherently collaborative, and our curriculum places a strong emphasis on teamwork. Through group projects, students learn to:

• Work effectively with others, respecting different ideas, perspectives, and abilities.
• Take on leadership roles within their groups, whether in directing a scene or leading a musical ensemble.
• Build positive relationships with their peers, fostering a sense of belonging and community within the Performing Arts department.

Cultural and Social Awareness: Students leave Key Stage 3 with a broader understanding of the world around them, having explored a variety of cultural and social themes through Music and Drama. They will:

• Appreciate and understand different cultures, traditions, and historical contexts through their exploration of world music, diverse drama texts, and performance styles.
• Engage with contemporary social issues, allowing them to develop empathy and critical awareness through artistic expression.

Preparation for Key Stage 4: The skills, knowledge, and experiences gained in Key Stage 3 provide an excellent foundation for further study in Performing Arts at Key Stage 4. By the end of Year 8, students will:

• Have a clear understanding of the expectations and demands of more advanced study in both Music and Drama.
• Be equipped with the technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience necessary to succeed in Key Stage 4 Performing Arts courses, such as BTEC Music Practice or Drama GCSE.

Impact Beyond the Classroom: Beyond academic achievement, the impact of Performing Arts at New Road Academy is evident in the personal growth of our students. Through their participation in school productions, extracurricular activities, and community performances, students develop:

• A lifelong love for the arts, whether as performers, creators, or appreciative audience members.
• Confidence and resilience that will benefit them in all areas of their lives, from future studies to their careers.
• The ability to articulate ideas, collaborate with others, and express themselves in meaningful ways, all of which are vital for their future success.

Homework will primarily consist of research tasks, practice assignments (e.g., rehearsing for a performance or learning a piece of music), and self-evaluation exercises. Homework will be set weekly.

Extracurricular Opportunities: Our vibrant extracurricular programme complements classroom learning, offering students additional opportunities to develop their skills. This includes:

• Music Clubs and shows
• Drama club and school productions, such as the Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and National Theatre Connections.
• Choir, band rehearsals, and various music clubs where students can collaborate with others and perform in local and regional events.

The Performing Arts curriculum develops skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, preparing students for a range of careers, including:

• Professional musician, actor, or performer.
• Sound engineer, music producer, or theatre director.
• Careers in media, teaching, and event management.

Further progression opportunities include A-levels, BTECs, T-levels in Performing Arts, and pathways into higher education and apprenticeships within the arts.