Performing Arts

“If music be the food of love, play on”  

(Twelfth Night – William Shakespeare) 

Here at the Tile Cross Academy Performing Arts Department, providing our students with a broad and varied curriculum is at the heart of what motivates us to formulate what we believe to be an excellent educational diet.   

The performing arts curriculum at key stage 3 adopts a sequenced approach to learning (see our Music and Drama Learning Journeys) preparing our students for key stage 4 Music or Drama tuition.  

Music Curriculum 

Key stage 3 (Year 7 & 8) 

Students in key stage 3 Music classes are encouraged to explore their own musicality while discovering the elements of music through the study of music history, notation and composition.  This is achieved by ensuring that our music curriculum adheres to the guidance within the National Curriculum in relation to Singing, Listening, Composing and Performing.   

Key stage 4 (Year 9, 10 & 11) 

Students that choose to study Music at key stage 4 are entered onto the BTEC Level 1/2 Technical Award in Music Practice.  Students are able to transition seamlessly into a deeper music learning experience by utilising the skills acquired during their key stage 3 music journey.  The course consists of 3 units of study: 

1. Exploring Music Products & Styles 

2. Music Skills Development 

3. Responding to a Musical Brief (Exam) 

Drama Curriculum 

Key stage 3 (Year 7 & 8) 

Students in key stage 3 Drama classes embark on a journey of discovery in relation to developing trust through game play, storytelling through dramatic devices and the power of verbal and non-verbal communication.  The potential by-product experienced by the majority of students indulging in such activities is a marked growth in confidence and the use of oral skills. 

Key stage 4 (Year 9, 10 & 11) 

Students that choose to study Drama at key stage 4 are entered onto the AQA GCSE in Drama.  The course consists of 3 components of study: 

    Component 1. – Knowledge and Understanding 

    Component 2. – Devising, Performing and Analysing 

    Component 3. – Final Performance and Play Analysis 

In our endeavour to facilitate an expressive and immersive experience in the Arts, our music students have the opportunity to indulge in one to one lessons on a selection of musical instruments with professional musicians.  Additionally, our Drama students also have the opportunity to work with professional actors.  This is achieved by working in partnership with Services for Education (formerly Birmingham Music Service) and the Birmingham REP Theatre.  Currently we provide our students with an additional twelve hours of music tuition  and one and a half hours of Drama tuition every week.