Our Curriculum
“When we talk about the value of arts and culture, we should always start with the intrinsic – how arts and culture illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional world. This is what we cherish”
The Value of Arts and Culture to People and Society
An Evidence Review. Arts Council England
At Katherine Warington School, first and foremost we teach the performing arts because they have immeasurable value in the lives of every student, parent and staff member in our community. Our aim, through a highly planned curriculum, is to ensure that every student leaves our school with an appreciation of what the arts can contribute to their lives and that for some, they have been equipped with the the skills and understanding to support them in further study and employment in the arts.
The performing arts equip students with the tools to think creatively, innovate and appreciate diverse cultures and backgrounds. It also allows them to explore their emotions, develop their imagination and develop their own unique
voice.
Aside from the intrinsic value of the arts, there is an increasing body of evidence as to why a performing arts education is valuable including:
Contribution to the UK Economy
- In 2019 arts and culture contributed £10.47 billion to the UK economy.
- This corresponds to 0.5% of total UK economic output.
- There were an estimated 226,000 jobs in the arts and culture sector in 2019.
Covid-19 and the arts and culture sectors, HM Parliament Report 2021
Contribution to Attainment in other subjects
- Overall, the average impact of arts participation on other areas of academic learning appears to be positive but moderate, about an additional three months progress.
- Improved outcomes have been identified in English, mathematics and science. Benefits have been found in both primary and secondary schools.
- Wider benefits such as more positive attitudes to learning and increased well-being have also consistently been reported.
Performing Arts Review – July 2021 – Education Endowment Foundation
Knowledge, Wellbeing and Success
Our Curriculum Values
We map our unique approach to learning to our whole school values
Knowledge
We develop our knowledge through:-
- Exploration and Analysis
- Creating and Developing Work
- Sharing our Work
These match the whole school curriculum vision by allying to the school principles of knowledge acquisition through our learning cycle:-
Through this, students’ knowledge and skills are clearly evidenced in the implementation phase of their learning.
These skills are made explicit in all the disciplines in our faculty in order to not only develop student’s skill in each discipline, but also to make connections between our subjects and those of the wider curriculum.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Benefits of Performing Arts
Through our curriculum, our super curriculum opportunities and pedagogy our students are provided with a range of different ways in which Performing Arts can and does nurture and improve their wellbeing.
Life for young people can be stressful, with the need of an outlet ever too high; within Performing Arts, our students are encouraged to let go and express themselves. It is scientifically proven that learning within and around Performing
Arts help young people battle depression, overcome anxiety and with their emotional release. The learning environment of Performance Arts also boosts students’ confidence, building and enhancing their resilience and improving their
overall engagement.
Performing Arts Wellbeing Benefits
- Creativity increases happiness – Being creative positively impacts your mood. While being creative, we improve our emotions and reduce negative ones.
- Builds confidence and resilience – Performing requires students to face their anxieties and be vulnerable as they display their talent in front of their peers and teachers. Performing Arts helps build important
coping skills to decrease anxiety through a positive, non-judgmental and low stakes environment. - Encourages social interactions – Performing Arts offer opportunities for students to collaborate in a safe environment that demands in-person interaction. Our students improve their social skills, collaborative
skills and communications skills which in turn improve their mood. - Improves emotional intelligence – Performing Arts offers a safe environment for our students to reflect on or express difficult emotions. Through Performing Arts our students have the opportunity to focus, process
and release their emotions in a way that is helpful for managing their mental health and well-being.
How do the Performing Arts disciplines benefit students’ Mental Health and Well-being.
- Music – Studies show that singing releases endorphins which also reduce anxiety levels and stress. When learning to sing, play an instrument, work as an ensemble, students are taught breathing techniques, such
as how to use their diaphragm and increase oxygen intake and lung capacity. These breathing techniques can be used to help those who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. - Drama – Drama offers students a safe place to explore societal issues that are relevant to our lives. It provides a space that encourages conversation and healing through creative expression. This raises awareness
and provides an opportunity for young people to understand and navigate what they are going through without having to talk about hard to discuss issues. - Dance – Being physically active releases positive endorphins, which make students feel more relaxed and overall happier. Dance is a great way to get students moving, burning calories, balance and coordination
and developing muscle control. According to studies, the happiness experienced while dancing is measurable even after dancing increased levels in happiness present as long as a week after the last dance.
Success
Through our curriculum both in and beyond the classroom we also seek to develop a range of transferable skills which can not only support them in the arts but also in other subjects as well as the world of work.
- Creativity
- Resilience
- Values
- Teamwork
- Independence
- Self disciple
- Self Awareness
- Confidence
- Research Skills
We also seek to ensure that our student’s are prepared for the world of work through the embodiment of the following Gatsby Benchmarks:-
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance
We aim to deliver these aims through a variety of experiences all of which have an artistic perspective taken from past and present art forms from an array of different cultures.