Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts is a successful, exciting and popular curriculum area, with an excellent track record of examination success at GCSE, BTEC Level 2 and A Level. In 2009 we were awarded the Arts Mark Gold Award by the Arts Council of England for our work in art, drama, dance and music. As well as these subject areas, we are also responsible for the delivery of sport and PE; we have enjoyed considerable success on the sports field, particularly in football, where our teams traditionally do very well in both local and national competitions.
Through study within the Expressive Arts Curriculum Area, students develop the perception and skills required to succeed in the areas of art, music, drama, dance, and physical exercise. Students develop an understanding of our nation’s artistic and sporting heritage, as well as the traditions of the wider world, and use this understanding to enrich their own performances and works of art.
Through our work we aim to develop in every student the confidence to develop personal creativity and the technical skills required for success. We work hard to foster an environment where technology is actively embraced in the pursuit of creative and sporting excellence. We do our best to ensure that our students develop an awareness of the importance of physical activity to good health and that our students develop and retain a love and enthusiasm for sport, exercise and the arts which will stay with them throughout their lives.
Key Stage 3
At KS3 all students study art, music, drama, and dance in mixed ability groups in line with National Curriculum expectations. PE is taught in single sex classes. Students are taught in specialist teaching rooms which include 5 art rooms, 3 music rooms, 2 drama studios, a gym, a sports hall, and numerous sports pitches as well as tennis and netball courts. Lessons are supplemented by numerous after school activities. We offer a full range of after school sporting and exercise opportunities for boys and girls, including rugby, football, netball, cricket, lacrosse, tennis, rounders, cross country, athletics, aerobics and street dance.
Key Stage 4
The Expressive Arts Curriculum Area is a popular choice for students at KS4, and all subject areas enjoy healthy numbers of students opting to study their courses. Examination results are traditionally very strong: we have averaged 92% A* - C in GCSE Art & Design over the last seven years, and in 2011 GCSE Expressive Arts students achieved 100% A* - C, with the majority of students achieving A grades. Courses are supported by visits to theatres and art galleries such as Tate Modern and the Lyric Theatre, both in London. As well as this, KS4 students often take a lead role in curriculum area events such as the annual ‘Rock and Roll Extravaganza’, ‘Stars in Their Eyes’ competition, and school production, which this year will be ‘Hairspray’. As with KS3, there is a wide variety of after school sporting opportunities on offer. In recent years the curriculum area has done much to develop its curriculum offer to students, and now provides a wide range of courses:
- BTEC First Diploma in Art & Design Level 2
- GCSE Art & Design
- BTEC First Diploma in Sport
- GCSE PE
- GCSE Drama
- GCSE Expressive Arts
- BTEC First Diploma in Music Level 2
Key Stage 5
Over half of all KS5 students at Denefield study subjects in the Expressive Arts curriculum area. The most popular of these subjects, currently, is Art and Design, with over 50 students studying art in four teaching groups. Academic results are traditionally strong with many students going on to study degree courses in the arts. In 2010 and 2011 several of our A Level Art students exhibited their work at the annual National Student Painting Exhibition, held at the Mall Galleries in central London. We have expanded our facilities for KS5 students in recent years, adding two further art rooms, a recording studio, and ICT facilities for music and PE students. Studies at KS5 are supported by numerous visits to galleries, museums, theatres, concerts and sporting events. Recently, performance studies students have taken part in workshops led by members of the cast of ‘Chicago’, held at the Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden. The art department runs an annual study visit abroad: these have included visits to Florence, Paris, and New York.
The courses we offer include:
- BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design (Photography, Textiles, Graphics and Fine Art) Level 3
- GCE Art & Design (Fine Art)
- GCE Art & Design with the History of Art & Design
- BTEC National Diploma in Sport Level 3
- GCE Sports Studies
- GCE Performance Studies
- GCE Music
- GCE Music Technology
Updated October 2011