Art and Design
Dance and Drama
Music

Creative Arts
Head of Creative Arts: Jan Ruddock

Art & Design
Head of Art & Design: Jan Ruddock

Art and design is a vital part of our culture and civilisation. Through the study of art students learn to look at the world around them in depth; to analyse, criticise and assess and develop their own imagination and sensitivity. They will develop confidence in their own skills and become aware of their strengths, using them to progress further. They will learn to understand the nature and function of art, design and crafts both historically and culturally.

Resources
Art and design at Lower School has two purpose built art rooms equipped for a wide range of activities including painting, drawing, print making, collage and clay work. There is a well equipped clay preparation area between the two rooms with a large kiln. At Upper School there are three purpose built rooms, a clay preparation area and a gallery space which is used to display work and is available for the students to work on large scale projects. There are facilities at Oxford Road for painting, drawing, clay work and sculpture in a variety of media, as well as textiles, in particular screen printing and batik.

Organisation
The art and design syllabus throughout the school is broadly based and offers a wide range of media and processes. Students build on their skill and knowledge year by year. Art clubs are well attended on both sites.

Key Stage 3
Art is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum to the end of Year 9. Students study one lesson a week throughout the Lower School.

Key Stage 4
Art is offered as an optional subject in Years 10 and 11 and students study two lessons a week. It is a popular subject with approximately 50% of students choosing it each year. The course is divided into termly units which are structured in Year 10 to build confidence in clay, painting and textiles. Students develop a more personal style as they progress through the course.

Post 16
Four lessons are timetabled a week. We have a large A Level group and a high proportion of these students continue their art studies beyond school, either at Art Foundation or at University, for example: Computer Animation or Architecture courses. Students are given every opportunity to use the art area for private study, and tutorials are offered to individuals, with guidance for assembling portfolios of art work for interviews.

Creative Arts
Drama & Dance
Head of Drama & Dance: Gregory West

Our aims are to:
develop and stimulate students’ curiosity, interest and enjoyment in drama and dance
enable students to be sensitive to familiar work and confident in a body of knowledge, principles, skills and vocabulary
enlarge each student’s knowledge, experience, imagination and understanding so that every individual fulfils his or her potential to the highest possible standard
empower every student to adopt meaningful roles in the present, while preparing them for an effective and purposeful adult working life
enable students to see drama and dance as
Þ a major cultural feature that provides intellectual and aesthetic stimulation
Þ part of a wider body of knowledge and skills
Þ a source of pleasure and an important part of our leisure activities

Resources
At Lower School, drama and dance have two fully equipped studios with sound and lighting facilities. The larger of the two studios is frequently used by the school and outside agencies as a studio theatre. There is a third performance area with a well equipped proscenium arch stage. Upper School also boasts a fully equipped drama studio and has full access to the Sports and Arts Centre for both teaching and performance.

Dynamic teachers are our main resource, and their skill and knowledge in both practical and academic work are rare within other establishments.

Key Stage 3
Each student in Years 7-9 has one period of drama or dance a week. Years 7 and 8 rotate dance and drama on a half termly and termly basis. Students are taught in balanced groups, developing a host of skills from practical improvisation and choreography, to the history of Greek theatre and modern dance. A coherent scheme of work is in place which provides structured progression through the years.

Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11 students receive two periods per week for GCSE Drama or Dance; all groups are balanced. 60% of the exam is practical and there is a written exam at the end of the two years which makes up the remaining 40%. Students study the history and techniques of both drama and dance, and also numerous practitioners and set works.

Post-16
Two courses are currently available: A Level Theatre Studies and AS Level Dance. Both subjects are very popular and academically challenging and are highly regarded by universities. They give students the opportunity to perform and to study numerous playwrights, dramatists, theorists, choreographers and academics. Students are expected to be enthusiastic, hard working, dedicated and willing to work independently. Theatre trips and workshops are a key feature of theatre studies and dance courses.


Extra Curricular
All students are offered the opportunity to get involved in both drama and dance clubs after school or at lunchtime. All clubs work towards a performance within the school year. In 2000/01 the Sixth Form group will be performing in the Upper School studio; this will be followed by a performance by the Lower School clubs. The dance clubs will be performing at the Sports and Arts Centre in February and there will be numerous performance evenings throughout the year. In December the school will come together for a musical - the first for 5 years.

Creative Arts
Music
Director of Music: Sarah Vaughan

We aim to provide each pupil with a broad and balanced music education which conforms to the programmes of study specified in the National Curriculum. Pupils listen to all types of music from western and world cultures, they are introduced to traditional western notation as well as other systems and given a variety and range of practical and academic tasks to develop their technical and aural skills.

Pupils are encouraged to work on their own, in pairs and in small and large groups. Social skills are an important aspect of our hidden curriculum. Whilst carrying out musical tasks we hope that pupils are also learning to co-operate, negotiate, lead a group and work with others. All pupils are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Resources
Both sites boast well-equipped specialist teaching rooms and a set of practice rooms. At Lower School one room is dedicated to Music ICT and has a network of computers and midi synthesisers. The other room is well equipped with a good range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments. At Upper School the focus is on students performing on their own instruments but there are also computers, synthesisers and pianos in all practice rooms.

The department is supported by the Oxford County Music Service and a number of private instrumental teachers.

Organisation
At Key Stage 3 students are taught in tutor groups and receive one 70 minute lesson per week. At Key Stage 4 there are examination groups in Years 10 and 11 which receive two 70 minute lessons a week. Post 16, Years 12 and 13 are taught concurrently receiving four 70 minute lessons a week.

Key Stage 3
Students are introduced to a wide variety of music from western culture and world traditions. They are taught to read traditional and graphic notation and are given access to synthesisers, tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Students who learn an orchestral instrument are encouraged to use this in lessons where appropriate. Students are encouraged to work on their own, in pairs and in small and large groups.

Key Stage 4
We follow the OCR GCSE Music exams course No.1678 which comprises the three areas of study : listening, composing and performing. Performing and composing make up 60% of the coursework and there is a two hour listening exam which contributes 30%. There is an optional 10% element where pupils can choose extra performing, composing or listening.

Post-16
We offer the OCR A Level Music course which follows on directly from the GCSE, focusing on the three elements: listening, composing and performing. Students study historical topics from traditional western cultures and the modern jazz genre as well as developing skills in composing and performing. Participation in extra-curricular activities is an essential part of the course.