The Performing and Visual Arts has become one of the principal means of communication of ideas and, even more importantly, modes of human behaviour in our civilisation; the Arts provide some of the principal role models by which individuals form their identity and ideas, set patterns of communal behaviour, forms values and aspirations …
    

Adapted from Martin Esslin

There are three core ideas at the centre of our Performing and Visual Arts curriculum; the idea of Creativity, Sensitivity and Communication. This is the foundation for all teaching & learning and reflected in our schemes of work.

This is the rationale behind Art, Music, Dance and Drama at The John Bentley School. Our subjects make an enormous contribution to a student’s personal development; the arts provide each student with an opportunity to understand a different point of view; they help young people form opinions; develop language skills; develop a sense of commitment; develop an ability to appreciate, appraise, plan and research; The Arts develop perceptual and physical skills; and the content of each and every lesson will help our students to understand the values, issues and cultures of today’s world. Young people will not develop as citizens without developing these values. For example, personal development is enhanced through the teaching of a range of skills such as role-play, creative writing, musical appreciation, perspective and awareness of international cultures.

Learning opportunities for arts-related activities are found in all subject areas, not just the arts subjects. Promotion of creative approaches in the classroom develops students’ motivation, concentration, and thinking skills.

All students at KS3 regularly experience the Arts through weekly sessions in Art, Music and Drama as well as frequent out-of-hours activities that enable students to discover their creative talents through a range of activities including Dance. This wide range of provision makes the arts accessible to a variety of student ability, background and learning style.

At KS4 and 5 the arts are fully included in accredited options available to our students through performing and visual arts, media, literature, as well as through technology subjects such as Textiles, Graphics and Product Design.

The arts are managed by a range of key staff including the Curriculum Leader for Performance Arts and Subject Co-ordinators for Art, Music & Dance. There is a strong commitment to the continuing improvement of the teaching & leaning within all the arts based subjects at the John Bentley School and this is fully embedded through the ‘School Self Evaluation’ process through regular lesson observations, work scrutiny, class and public performances/exhibitions and student self/peer evaluation. Student voice forms an integral part of how we monitor this policy regularly seeking feedback and ways to improve the provision for our learners.

There is an ongoing commitment to the range and quality of the facilities available for the Arts. Students have opportunities to use specialist equipment in designated spaces as well as opportunities for extended use by the community. These facilities are updated to meet the needs of the learners and community constantly.

AIMS	OBJECTIVE
Learners will engage with a variety of art-forms across the school exploring values, attitudes, feelings and meanings enabling each of them to experience success irrespective of their gender, ethnic origin, and academic ability.	Provide an arts curriculum that has quality, range and depth. Provide opportunities for cross-art-form work. To expose learners to a wide range of multi-cultural material enabling them to see the Arts as a major cultural feature and part of a global body of knowledge and skills. To enable learners to develop a range of desirable personal qualities such as politeness, perseverance, initiative, confidence, individual awareness and group sensitivity through participation in the arts. Ensure that arts teachers have access to regular continuing professional development that refreshes their own creativity and keeps them up to date with developments in the arts.
Developing the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgments about artworks.	Enabling students opportunities to make, perform and respond to artworks in a range of art-forms. To value each individual and so encourage each student to feel the value and worth of others. In doing so, to encourage empathy, so that each student approaches the issues of Race, Gender and ability with tolerance and insight.
Increase active and independent involvement in cultural opportunities	Take learners to see work performed and exhibited by professional artists
Developing an understanding of the role of the arts in society, including as a career.	Enable awareness in the students of the implications of the Arts for the individual and the local, national and international communities. To engage students with a range of professional practitioners that cover all the arts disciplines enabling students to see the arts in it widest sense.
To help young people to work individually and as part of a team sharing their experiences and presenting artworks to others.	Enable all learners an opportunity to exhibit work or take part in a performance at least once a year Enable all learners the opportunity to take part in at least one weekly out-of-hours arts activity Present arts work to parents and the community at least once a year

In other words:

Creativity                Sensitivity       Communication