Thomas Becket Catholic School

Thomas Becket Catholic School

“Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasise about a world to aspire to.”

Willem Dafoe

Developing an individuality by encouraging students to express themselves with confidence, conduct themselves with tolerance, understanding and appreciate situations from more than one perspective, challenging their perceptions of the world. Students are encouraged to explore and analyse a range of social, moral, spiritual and cultural issues through theatre and physical storytelling processes. All performing arts students will develop:

  • Confidence
  • Teamwork
  • Self-discipline
  • Leadership
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving

Performing Arts: Dance

Year 7

Module 1 - Intro to dance

Chance dance, maths link, rolling dice and probability

Learning the 5 basic dance actions.   

Module 2 - Fright Night  

Link to drama through zombie

characterisation - English gothic literature link. 

Module 3 - Time Travel

History link - Lindy hop, Charleston, Swing and Jive.

Year 8

Module 1 - Emancipation of Expressionism

Hip Hop/Contemporary dance, RE and PSHE links.

Main themes: Genesis, growth, struggle, empowerment. 

Module 2 - Swansong

Two guards and a prisoner, intimidation, interrogation, neo classical, contemporary/ballet/physical theatre.

Link to PSHE being safe, mental wellbeing.

Module 3- Capoeira

Brazilian Martial Arts Infused Dance

Conflict, intimidation, relationships, PSHE Link

BTEC Dance link, exploring learnt skills.

Year 9

Module 1 - Rosie Kay 5 Soldiers

Contemporary/physical dance

Soldier like movement, links to history, WAR

Links to PSHE, mental health, wellbeing, being aware of the wider society

Module 2 - ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’

Physical theatre, drama link, characterisation

Character who has autism, the audience seeing the world through his interpretation

Links to PSHE– mental health, wellbeing, awareness of others.

Module 3 - Frantic Assembly, ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Physical theatre, narrative story and characterisation—links to English literature and Drama.

Looking closely at the feud between the Montague and Capulets, chair routine,

introduction to dancing with objects.

Year 10

Component 1

Exploring the repertoire of at least three professional dance works:

¨ Emancipation of Expressionism, Hip Hop/Contemporary. Main Themes: Genesis, struggle, growth, empowerment.

¨ Shadows - Christopher Bruce, Family, Aar, outside force, interrelationships, family dynamics. Links to PSHE family and relationships. Links to history due to references to Hitler’s dictatorship.

¨ Infra - Wayne McGregor, Main themes: below the surface, secrets, behind closed doors, links to PSHE relationships and being safe.

¨ Study - MK Ultra, internet, illuminati, media. James Cousins - Within her Eyes, trust lifts, intimacy, links to PSHE relationships. Bob Fosse - Jazz, links to musical theatre, history.

¨ Written work to support.

Component 3

Responding to a brief: Released in January

Students use their devising and dance skills learnt so far and create a performance piece to a chosen idea/stimulus from Pearson’s Qualification.

Component 3 Written work to support.

Year 11

Component 2

Studying a professional dance repertoire - each student dancing 2 minutes, performance and recording.

Component 2 Written work to support.

Links to other Subjects

Year 7 - Maths - Chance/probability. English - Gothic Literature. History - Dance eras.

Year 8 - R.E/Science - Genesis theme. PSHE - Exposure to culture and style.

Performing Arts: Drama

Year 7

Silent Movies: Skills and devising

It’s not what you say it’s how you say it: Voice and Monologues

Ernie’s Incredible Illuminations: Script work

Year 8

The Party: Devising and skills

Script: Anne Cartwright: Scripted and Stanislavski

Year 9

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Scripted/Physical theatre/Frantic Assembly

War and Conflict: Devising and skills

Year 10

Component one: Exploring practitioner work (An Inspector Calls, Teachers, Blood Brothers, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)

Component three: Developing skills for devising

Component two: Developing acting skills

Year 11

Component 2: Apply Acting skills to performance

Component 3: Developing devising skills

Component 3: External Assessment

Links to other Subjects

Year 7:

Dance– Movement/Choreography

PHSE (relationships and emotional memory)

English

Year 8:

PHSE: Health and Wellbeing

Dance and Movement

English

Year 9:

PHSE—Careers and job roles, diversity and health and wellbeing.

English & History —War poetry

KS4:

English

PHSE (Relationships, Job roles and responsibilities, careers)