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    Performing Arts

    FACULTY LEADER: Mr P Condry

    Music

    SUBJECT LEADER: Mr P Condry

    Student singing with teacher playing pianoAt Prince Henry’s, Music is part of the lifeblood of the school. 

    The subject team aims to open up a world of music to all students and frequently stages concerts and productions. We also provide music for school and community events.

    Throughout their school careers, Prince Henry’s students can get involved with music-making through many different ensembles/choirs (for students of differing abilities) and are able to study music through to A Level. 

    In addition to classroom-led lessons, a team of eight peripatetic instrumental/vocal tutors delivers tuition on a weekly basis in the school. 

    KS3 Curriculum

    All students in KS3 have two lessons per fortnight. At KS3, the schemes of work are designed to integrate the key areas of Performing, Composing and Listening together, whilst also giving students a wide range of musical experiences. They learn how to read conventional notation, chord diagrams and tab across a variety of instruments including piano, ukulele and guitar. Students also learn how to use music technology creatively. Throughout KS3, they learn compositional technique through practical study.

     

    Term 1

    Term 2

    Term 3

    Year 7

    Elements of Music  

    Keyboard Skills 

    Sea Shanties 

    GarageBand sequencing - Remix  

    Chords on keyboard  

    Chords - Ukulele 

    FOUR chord chorus compositions  

    Year 7 Overview

    Year 8

    Opera and Musical Theatre   Blues 

    Song analysis (whole class) 

    Song writing using GarageBand  

    Year 8 Overview

    Year 9

    Music for Media  Cover versions/Advanced ensemble skills  

    Individual song analysis + presentations  

    Song writing   

    Year 9 Overview

    KS4 and KS5 Curriculum

    At KS4, students may opt for the GCSE Music course (AQA). Year 10 Overview. Year 11 Overview.

    At KS5, students may opt for A Level Music (AQA).

    Please see the Key Stage 4 Options and Sixth Form Pages for details of the KS4 and KS5 courses offered in Music.

    Assessment

    In Music we will

    • Assess the skills being learned through practical work
    • Use questioning every lesson to check understanding
    • Give informal feedback on work in progress every lesson
    • Give formal feedback on Showbie for every topic
    • Give written feedback on selected tasks in KS4 and KS5
    • Give a DIRT opportunity to act on feedback practically in lessons
    • Give opportunities to assess and reflect upon work and the work of others
    • Assess knowledge of key concepts and key vocabulary through practical work and (sometimes) written responses on Showbie

    Enrichment

    Staff lead rehearsals for the many and varied ensembles each week (Junior/Senior Choir, Big Band, Concert Ban Jazz band playing at senior concertd, String Ensemble and Junior Band). Students (and staff!) participate in 3 main school concerts per year, as well as an annual production and several other community/school ‘gigs’. Musicians are invited to enter for external music exams (ABRSM/Trinity Guildhall/Rock School) on a termly basis and experience great success. 

    We also organise an international performing tour every 2 years (previous destinations have included Mallorca, Italy, Belgium, Dublin and Holland). In addition, music staff regularly organise visits to concerts and the theatre as well as workshops with leading practitioners.

    If you wish to book a school ensemble for a local event, please send an email via info@princehenrys.co.uk and mark it for the attention of Mr Condry.

    Drama

    SUBJECT LEADER: Ms Y Wittering

    At Prince Henry's, Drama is a respected, flourishing subject. Our aim is to open up the world of theatre to all students. This is achieved not only in timetabled lessons but also through our ambitious productions, theatre trips and input on PSHE / Citizenship Days. 

    KS3 Curriculum

    All students have two lessons of Drama per fortnight throughout Years 7, 8 and 9. The lessons thread together the two components, Devising Drama and Script Work. A list of the topics students will study in each year of KS3 is shown below:

    Year 7

    Transferable skills and
    Creative ideas

    Year 8

    Theatre History

    Presenting Text

     

    Year 9

    Presenting and Performing text
    Devising Drama
    GCSE Tasters

    Devising with Poetry:
    Introduction of Skills
    Devising Greek Theatre Tusk Tusk by Polly Stenham.
    Presenting Text
    Devising Mime and Silent Movies Devising Commedia Dell'arte Devising drama from a stimulus

    ‘Ernie's Incredible Illucinations’
    Alan Ayckbourn
    Presenting Text

    Year 7 Overview

    Contemporary Theatre 

    'Face' by Benjamin Zephaniah

    Presenting Text

    Year 8 Overview

    GCSE Tasters

    Year 9 Overview

    KS4 and KS5 Curriculum  

    At KS4, students can choose to study GCSE Drama, following the OCR Specification. The smaller groups sizes embrace an environment of a 'love of theatre'. The community allows students to flourish using the personal skills of confidence, honesty and kindness.

    At KS5, students can choose A Level Drama and Theatre Studies, following the OCR Specification.

    Please see the Key Stage 4 Options and Sixth Form Pages for details of the KS4 and KS5 courses offered by the Drama Team. 

    Assessment

    In Drama we will

    • Assess the skills being learned through practical work in the role of Performer, Director or Designer
    • Use questioning every lesson to check understanding and resilience
    • Give informal feedback on work in progress every lesson
    • Give formal feedback on Showbie for every topic
    • Give written feedback on selected tasks in KS4 and KS5
    • Give DIRT opportunities to act on feedback practically in lessons
    • Give opportunities to assess and reflect upon their work and the work of others
    • Assess knowledge of key concepts and key vocabulary through practical work and (sometimes) written responses on Showbie

    Enrichment

    There is a regular programme of Drama productions, theatre trips and visiting practitioners. These have included our production of The Addams Family in 2024, Billy Elliot in 2023 , School of Rock in 2022, Students in The Addams FamilyThe Wiz in 2019, Our House in 2018, visits to Blood Brothers, Leeds University, Everybody's Talking about Jamie Lord of the Flies, and visits from professional theatre practitioners.