Intent

The Performing Arts reflect our history, National Identity and Community.  The experiences they afford students shape them and remain with them throughout their lives. At The Cottesloe School, Performing Arts are fundamental to the personal development of our young people and allow them to become competent in the 6Cs learning behaviours which enable success in all areas of the curriculum during their Cottesloe Journey and life beyond. Key Stage Three intends to prepare students by developing these behaviours for learning in a variety of disciplines and mediums.  We intend students to master a range of skills through creating, performing and appraising activities.  In Drama, they explore scripted and devised topics including mime, masked performance, modern plays, Greek Theatre and theatrical devices.  In Music, they experience a variety of cultures and traditions, including Disco, Pop, Classical, Ukulele and African Music, gaining increased technical and expressive competence in the performance and construction of Music.

Ethos

At Key Stage 4, students may extend their skills by aspiring to GCSE Music and Drama.  They will further develop composition, devising and performance skills.  In addition to the exploration of professional practitioners, students are encouraged to develop their performance practices and collaborate with companies to create original performance material.  The Healthy Relationships wheel underpins themes studied including bullying (empathy) and knife crime (community) and enables students to reflect upon and challenge the wider world.  Across the academic year, students are invited to participate in various trips, including visits to the local and regional theatres and take part in a plethora of extracurricular clubs.  Regular bespoke performance opportunities are organised in the local community and students run performing arts workshops at our local feeder schools, including a year 6 transition play for Year 6 Induction day.  There is an annual school production, drama club, a Christmas concert and a series of classwork showcases and INSPIRE events.  Inspire students have also participated in three Performing Arts Tours, including Amsterdam in 2017, generating performance work related to the countries visited.  We regularly participate in Sign 2 Sing and other charity events to support the local community, such as Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and MIND.   Peripatetic lessons are popular with students achieving excellent grades for instrument and voice exams, including UCAS points for the higher grades.  Our extracurricular programme enables students to encounter careers and the world of work, with our choir participating  in the Bucks Music Trust performance at The Royal Albert Hall, Brickstock and our school dance company IGNITE and the choir performing annually at the Honeycomb Dance Festival, performing at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.   We believe the power of performance work can unite students, promote equality and transcend difference.  Bandjam is a new and increasingly popular event with many opportunities for bands to perform in community events.  Our students experience a broad and ambitious curriculum, rich in knowledge and skills, which ignites their curiosity for future learning in school and instils an appreciation for the Arts into their adult lives.

We are pleased to be offering A Level Drama at KS5 for September 2024 and look forward to welcoming our first cohort onto this brand-new course following the AQA Drama syllabus. 

Peripatetic Music Tuition - (Link)

Careers in Music

Performance-Based Careers:

Musician (Performer):

• This includes solo artists, band members, orchestral musicians, session musicians, and singers in various genres.
• It can involve live performances, recording sessions, and touring.

Conductor/Musical Director:

• Leading orchestras, choirs, or musical theatre productions.
• Requires strong musical knowledge and leadership skills.

DJ/Electronic Music Producer:

• Creating and performing electronic music.
• Involves sound design, mixing, and mastering.

Session Musician:

• Playing music in recording studios, or live for other artists.

Composition and Production Careers:

Composer:

• Writing music for films, television, video games, or live performances.
• Requires creativity and knowledge of music theory.

Songwriter:

• Writing lyrics and musical compositions for songs.

Music Producer:

• Overseeing the recording and production of music.
• Involves technical and creative skills.

Sound Engineer:

• Recording, mixing, and mastering audio.
• Requires technical expertise in sound equipment and software.

Education and Community Careers

Music Teacher (Private/School):

• Teaching instrumental or vocal lessons.
• Working in schools or offering private instruction.

Music Therapist:

• Using music to help individuals with physical, emotional, or cognitive needs.
• Requires specialised training.

Community Music Worker:

• Facilitating music projects in community settings.
• Promoting access to music for diverse groups.

Industry and Business Careers

Music Manager:

• Representing and managing musicians.
• Handling business aspects, such as contracts and bookings.

Music Publisher:

• Managing copyrights and licencing of music.

Arts Administrator:

• Working in arts organisations, such as concert halls or festivals.
• Handling administrative and organisational tasks.

Music Retailer:

• Working in the sales of musical instruments and music-related products.

Music Journalist/Critic:

• Writing about music for publications or online platforms.