Performing Arts

Plymstock School Performing Arts

Plymstock School is passionate about the role of Performing Arts within the curriculum as well as being an extra-curricular activity.  The department has thrived over recent years and exam results have been excellent.  Our students genuinely enjoy Performing Arts here and lessons are exciting and full of enthusiasm.

The Music Department is equipped with two teaching rooms; one is a traditional music classroom with fifteen keyboards and various percussion instruments and guitars.  Our second teaching room has recently been renovated into a music technology suite where our students use Soundation, Sibelius and Focus on Sound.

Our Dance students are taught in a state-of-the-art dance studio, complete with the latest lighting and sound equipment.

The Drama Department consists of two purpose built studios, with the ability to convert into one large performance space.  The studios are fitted with two lighting rigs, complete with dimmer boards and a wide range of lanterns.  Teachers have full use of a sound system in each studio, and projectors for theory work or to use as part of a performance.  Once converted into one performance space, there is a curtain rail and backdrop which is used to define the acting space.  In summer 2019 work began on a new Arts Centre; a purpose built, 450-capacity theatre, complete with retractable seating, LED lighting and art gallery space.

Students currently have lessons in Music and Drama throughout Key Stage 3 and are taught in mixed ability sets.  Both departments focus very much on practical work and encourage the students to perform as much as possible.  Recent schemes of work in Music have included film music, pop performance, theme and variations and dance remixes.  In Drama students have explored various themes and genres including Shakespeare, bullying, improvisation and fairy tales.  These varied schemes of work have encouraged students to opt to continue the subjects at Key Stage 4 and we currently offer an AQA GCSE in Drama and an OCR GCSE in Music.  In Year 9 students additionally have dance lessons in which they develop confidence and performance ability through a range of topics chosen to make the students aware of the world around them.  They also develop transferable skills that can be used in other subject areas and outside of school.

GCSEs are offered in Dance, Drama and Music.  These courses build on the knowledge and skills built in Key Stage 3 and all offer the chance to practically explore the subject through performance and devising own material, as well as critically appraising the work of others.

We also deliver success at KS5 in the form of AQA Theatre Studies.  The course consists of analysing live theatre performances and play texts, the study of a range of theatrical styles and companies, and an assessed performance during each year.  We study the work of a wide range of theatre practitioners such as Frantic Assembly, Stephen Berkoff, and Dario Fo.

As a department we encourage as much curriculum enrichment as we can.  We have regular visits to the theatre and concerts and have a good relationship with TR2 and the Plymouth Music Hub.  Around 70 students across all years regularly take part in the annual school show, which is always highly entertaining.  In recent years we have produced shows such as Bugsy Malone, Annie, School of Rock, and We Will Rock You.  These productions are run to a very high standard and attract audiences of over 1000 people; many commenting on the fantastic performances of our talented Performing Arts students.

Events Calendar

Thu 28

End of term 4

March 28
Apr 15

Term 5 starts

April 15
May 24

End of term 5

May 24
View the Calendar