Delivering the Arts Award at St John Fisher Catholic High School Friday 3 rd July 2015 Mr R Pritchard - Head Teacher Miss C Booth - Head of Drama and Arts Award Co-ordinator

Who We Are We are a large voluntary aided and local authority Catholic school, in Harrogate. With 1450 on roll, we provide education from 11-18, including a large Associated Sixth Form with St Aidan’s CE High School. We have Artsmark Gold and we are a former Specialist Arts College.

What We Do All arts subjects are taught at KS3: Music, Dance (within PE), Drama (within English in Y7), Art. We offer GCSE pathways in: Music, Dance, Drama, Art, and Performing Arts (until 2017) We offer A Level pathways in: Music, Music Technology, Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, Fine Art, Art Graphics, Art Photography, Performing Arts (until 2017, to be replaced with BTEC), Textiles We have a thriving extracurricular programme, offering: KS3 Performing Arts Club; Junior Band; Junior Choir; Junior Jazz; Y8 Dance Club; Y8 Drama Club, Shakespeare Schools Festival; Junior Musical; Senior Musical; Senior Band; Senior Choir; Music Ensembles; North Yorkshire Dance; and various trips and tours.

My Arts Award Vision To offer an inclusive extracurricular opportunity to all, regardless of background To offer a stimulating and enriching qualification which is valued and respected by students To offer a rigorous and challenging qualification which complements curriculum study To develop core skills in performing, communication, literacy, oracy, organisation and leadership To create a generation of Arts Leaders to inspire the younger cohorts and to take significant leadership roles in lower school

Current Model Bronze Arts Award is offered within the KS3 Performing Arts Club – weekly lunchtime club culminating in a summer musical production 52 current members, 29 completing Bronze, 13 have already completed Silver Arts Award is offered within the Shakespeare Schools Festival production to Y10-11 students Cast of 14 and 5 currently completing Silver Gold Arts Award is offered to Sixth Form students who have to write a letter of application to join the “Gold Company” 9 members all completing Gold

Current Statistics Academic Year First Year of implementation Academic Year Second Year of implementation

Whole School Impact

The Gold Company recently planned and delivered a showcase – “Decades”, held whole school auditions and had a cast of y7-13. Attended by over 100 and a sell out event, it raised £500 for Save the Children. The Silver students planned and led a 2 hour Shakespeare workshop for Y7-8 students, teaching them about how to understand and perform Shakespeare’s plays.

Whole School Impact Last year the Silver Arts Award students planned and delivered “Shakespeare 450” – a gala evening celebrating Shakespeare’s 450 th birthday. This evening had a cast of over 50 students from Y7-13 including performances from 3 feeder primary school, and was a sell out event, attended by Christopher Grace, the founder and executive director of the SSF.

Student Impact Performance opportunities Training opportunities Leadership opportunities

Student Impact “The Arts Award gave me an outlet to express both my creativity and leadership skills beyond the constrictive nature of the school curriculum. It allowed me to explore sections of the arts I would not have encountered otherwise which has broadened my view of the arts and has enhanced my A Level studies in Dance and Drama.” Year 12, Gold student

Student Impact “I felt as though we have gained more skills from Gold such as better team work skills and communication. I have really enjoyed putting on our own arts award event and felt a sense of achievement.” Year 12 Gold student

Year 7, Bronze student

Moving Forwards More creative evidencing – reducing paper workload Integrating Silver into KS4 at Year 9? Training more staff members to be Advisers Collaborating with colleagues in visual arts and music to expand the opportunities for all students Potential to make the Arts Award a personalised learning programme for vulnerable learners

Closing Thought The Arts Award develops girt and resilience, encouraging students to think independently, make choices and take risks We are giving students more opportunities than ever

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