11-16 curriculum

The academic curriculum

The academic curriculum is full and varied, allowing the pupils a rich and exciting educational experience. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) the pupils follow a wide-ranging course of study. In the core subjects of English and Maths some setting into ability groupings takes place, to ensure every pupil is given the differentiated help that they require. They also study Science and French. Other academic subjects undertaken in these years are History, Geography, Religious Education, Music, Art and Citizenship allied to Personal, Health and Social Education (PHSE). This is in addition to the wide range of practical vocational subjects enjoyed by the pupils, including Dance, Drama and Music.

Years 10 and 11

In Years 10 and 11, English Language and Literature, Maths, Science and Expressive Arts (an examination subject where the relationship between two different art forms is examined in a practical study) make up the core GCSE curriculum. Pupils will then choose from the optional subjects of Art, Drama, Dance, French, Geography, History, Media Studies and Music.

Technology

Arts Educational Schools, London, believes that computers and new media technologies offer pupils the opportunity to study, engage in and report on the world in exciting new ways. Our intention is therefore to allow pupils to use, explore and exploit these new technologies as an integral and integrated part of their learning. We believe that our pupils must learn to master and exploit the opportunities available in order to make effective and creative use of these new learning tools.

The vocational curriculum

The vocational curriculum is wide ranging, varied and rich. We offer high quality tuition in Dance, Drama and Music and pupils are encouraged to participate in, and enjoy, a diverse and exciting array of disciplines in their studies.

Dance

The Dance Course has Classical Ballet at its core, and the pupils also receive tuition in Modern, Tap, Contemporary and Choreography. In Year 10 the course is further expanded to include Jazz, Repertoire, GCSE Dance and Expressive Arts, a comparative study of two different art forms. The pupils take both Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) examinations, and a variety of performance opportunities exist, in both large-scale productions and smaller performance platforms. A number of visits to theatres, concerts, museums and galleries are arranged throughout the year.

Drama

Through Drama, children can explore both themselves and their environment. Drama gives students the opportunity to generate and develop opinions and gives the invaluable skills in which they are able to communicate successfully and to work as part of a team. It promotes creativity, confidence and literacy. These skills are essential not only to drama, but to everyday life. Students study schemes of work that explore social issues through a creative medium. In Year 9 students study Expressive Arts and then in Year 10 take on the challenges of GCSE Drama. Students experiment with physical theatre, mask work, stylised and abstract work, naturalism, improvisation, musical theatre, text and off text work as well as devising and creating their own pieces of theatre. There is much written work, but this is balanced with the practical elements. Students also undertake the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) examinations, as well as taking part in numerous performance opportunities.

Music

Music is multi-faceted, exploring traditions from all over the world, and a kaleidoscope of performance opportunities are available to pupils of all ages. They experience many different types of music through a combination of listening, composing and performing. Singing, percussion instruments, keyboards and computers are all used to develop musical ability, and those who learn an instrument are encouraged to incorporate their playing into class music lessons.

All pupils belong to at least one of the Junior Choir, the Senior Choir or the Chamber Choir. A team of peripatetic music teachers visits the school every week to deliver individual musical instrument lessons which include piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar, percussion and voice.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Art
Citizenship
Creative Arts
Dance
Drama
English
Expressive Arts
French
Geography
History
ICT
Mathematics
Music
RE
Science



Core Subjects for GCSE

English Language
English Literature
Expressive Arts
Science
Mathematics

Optional Subjects for GCSE


Art
Dance
Drama
French
Geography
History
Media Studies
Music