Performing Arts
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Performing Arts
Sandown Bay Academy uses the Performing Arts to enrich the skills and lives of all students.
Personal Development
The teaching and learning that takes place through the Performing Arts develops self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth and develops skills that are transferable across the rest of the curriculum.
The Facilities
At Sandown Bay Academy we have a fantastic range of performing arts facilities for students to use. We have 2 purpose built performance studios both with full lighting rigs, a dance studio complete with mirrored wall, a rehearsal / workshop studio, a Mac editing suite and a recording studio. We also employ a full time performing arts technician to support with examinations and assessments.
The Courses
The value of Dance, Drama and Music is seen throughout key stage 3 and key stage 4 in a wide variety of ways. At key stage 3, students have a full selection of all three subjects.
At Key Stage 4 and 5, there is an extensive breath of courses to allow all students to work to their strengths. At key stage 4, the traditional GCSE options in Drama and Music are enriched by vocational courses. These allow students who are more suited to coursework to succeed and not have to complete exam elements. The BTEC courses can be studied in Dance, Drama and Music technology. At key stage 5, the traditional and vocational courses are again mixed ensuring we cater for all students’ needs and learning styles. We provide A Level courses in Drama and Music and combine these with BTEC courses in Drama, Dance and Music performance. More recently at key stage 5, we have developed a vocational BTEC in Creative Media (Film and Television Production) and this is already proving hugely popular. From September 2012, we intend to offer BTEC Production Arts (Arts Management).
The breadth of these courses available to all students allows for continued high success rates in the Performing Arts.
We pride ourselves in being an active and thriving department both within the curriculum and in the extra-curricular opportunities we offer.
Contact: Mrs K Walker-Green, Head of Performing Arts
Drama
Drama is taught within the school to encourage the development of life-skills. It challenges students’ perceptions about their world and about themselves, provides students with an outlet for emotions and thoughts that they might not otherwise have means to express and helps students in developing decision making skills.
It allows students to think critically and creatively and communicate with and understand others in new ways- providing training in aspects of communication so necessary in today's increasingly information-centred world. Students who have participated in Drama activities are less likely to have difficulty speaking in public, will be better able to put themselves into others' shoes and relate to them, and will have a more positive, confident self-image.
Students in Drama learn to work together, cooperate, find the best way for each member of a group to contribute, and listen to and accept the viewpoints and contributions of others. Drama encourages self-confidence, raises self-esteem and above all it is fun!
Our KS4 and KS5 programmes offer a mix of academic GCSE / A-Level and vocational BTEC qualifications.
At KS4 we offer Edexcel GCSE Drama and Edexcel BTEC level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts (Acting)- To become Edexcel BTEC level 2 First Award in Performing Arts (Acting) from September 2012 onwards.
At KS5 we offer AQA Drama and Theatre studies AS and A-level qualifications and Edexcel BTEC level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting) and Edexcel BTEC level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting).
Contact: Mrs K Walker Green, Head of Performing Arts
Creative Media
(Currently only available at key stage 5)
This two-year course is aimed at students with creative flair who wish to develop skills in new media and gain an understanding of multi-media industries. The qualification is entirely coursework based; therefore topics are delivered as ‘assignments’. These will introduce students to a variety of skills which are applied to work-related scenarios, giving the student an understanding of how their skills can be applied to different creative industries.
There are three main reasons why you could choose media.
- Studying the media links to almost every subject you have already covered in your secondary education.
- If you are creative and want to work in the media industry this course will help you develop the practical skills necessary to contribute to a variety of media products (films, magazines, radio shows, websites, etc.)
- You should study media because the media goes to great lengths to study you!
The qualification is structured into 7 units. The 3 mandatory units are:
UNIT 1: Pre-production Techniques for Creative Media Production – you will learn how to plan a media project.
UNIT 2: Communication Skills for Creative Media Production – you will develop communication skills.
UNIT 3: Research Techniques for Creative Media Industries – you will learn how to research using various methods.
The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Creative Media Production is equivalent to 1 A Level and can be combined with 2 or 3 other options in 6th form. Upon completion, this course offers progression opportunities into employment within the Creative Media sector. The qualification also provides opportunities for progression to Level 4 and 5 BTEC qualifications and further education courses at university.
Contact: Mrs K Walker Green, Head of Performing Arts
Production Arts
(Currently only available at key stage 5)
This two year course is designed for students interested in the marketing, organisation and management support for all forms of theatre and arts events, including festivals, concerts, gigs and exhibitions. Students learn how to plan, advertise, administrate and manage theatre, art based and music events.
Modules of study include:
- Production for theatre performance
- Arts administration
- Theatre front of house operations
- Performing arts event management
- Arts in the community
The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Production Arts (Arts Management) is equivalent to 1 A Level and can be combined with 2 or 3 other options in 6th form. Upon completion, if you have sufficient UCAS points, you could apply for university. Students may also apply to other specialist courses at higher education establishments or theatre schools or find work in the entertainment industry.
Contact: Mrs K Walker Green, Head of Performing Arts