Performance Studies

The Drama department at Bishop Justus Church of England School aims to create a love for the Theatre and all its works through a depth of knowledge focussing on the three Ps; Playwrights, Practitioners and Performance work. We aim to develop critical and informed thinkers who have an in depth knowledge of contemporary Theatre and the canon of tradition from which it comes. Allowing students to be informed critics of modern Theatre. Our vision is to give students a wealth of knowledge relating to the methodology through which performance work can be created and the practical skills they need in order to do this for themselves. As a Drama department we are committed to ensuring students know and appreciate the great playwrights and practitioners that have gone before them, allowing them to go into the wider world with an in depth knowledge of the great traditions in world Theatre. We aim to broaden students’ minds through the study of a range of performance texts from 16th century Shakespeare to the cutting edge work of Caryl Churchill so they have a wealth of Theatrical literacy and an appreciation of the arts. Empowering them to be a part of the ongoing debate and strong tradition in world Theatre.

Through the study of Drama students from Bishop Justus have gone on to a range of educational opportunities inclusive of studying Drama both at university and Drama school. The range of career opportunities in the creative industries spans well beyond that of the classical actor and the study of Drama will prepare our students for all of these potential career paths. Students might consider working backstage in management or creating the lighting for Theatre and film sets. Through the study of costume students might go on to study fashion or be involved in costume making and design. Beyond this Drama is widely accepted as a subject which fosters skills of teamwork and collaboration that are transferrable to all professions from the law to medicine and beyond. The creative knowledge and intelligence developed through the study of Drama is something that, in the Bishop Justus Drama department, we believe will open doors to many career opportunities. 

The reason we believe students should study Drama is that through this subject we hope to foster young people who are confident, enthusiastic and committed members of their society. We aim to invest in our students’ qualities of teamwork and collaboration allowing them to be successful in whatever their chosen industry. Our vision is to create well informed, knowledgeable and confident young people whose ability to change roles gives them the skills to compete in an ever-changing world, as well as to be an asset and vital part of their own communities. We aim to do all of this through Faith, learning and the delivery of an outstanding, knowledge rich Drama curriculum.

The vision of the Dance department at Bishop Justus CofE school is to instil a great love of dance, while inspiring self-confidence, discipline and creativity as an integral part of holistic learning. Dance is an expressive art form that can nurture confidence and the love of dance can take on many different styles. We will develop dancers of all abilities, should they so choose to pursue the arts in further education or just as a hobby. We believe Dance develops a wide variety of key skills for all students and is something students can come back to during all stages of their life. We aim to foster a choreographic literacy from both a physical and knowledge based perspective to create thinking performers that have vision, skill and the know how to put this into action. It is for these reasons that we believe our students should study Dance. 

Students will study a wealth of cultural dance traditions from 50`s Rock N` Roll/Jive To Bhangra. They will investigate practically and theoretically the works of famous Dance practitioners from Wayne McGregor to Stopgap Dance company, investigating how Dance is a tool for expression for all and is not limited to the able bodied. Students will delve into the skills of choreography and learn the discipline and creativity needed to be a successful artist. We aim to develop thinking practitioners in our students who not only have a wealth of choreographic and performance skill but also understand the rich cultural traditions from which Dance comes.

We hope to foster in our students the qualities of freedom of expression, the ability to collaborate with others and the team work skills to allow them to be successful in our world and be a vital asset to their local communities. We aim to develop creative and imaginative thinkers who have the piratical and theoretical knowledge to be a part of the ongoing debate in the dance world.  We hope that through the study of dance students cultural experience will be widened and that they will become well rounded skilful artists in their own right. The study of Dance will open doors to our students in the creative industries through costume, set and lighting design. It will give them the physical fitness and ability to pursue careers in the sports industry and the discipline to go into management. We believe that the study of Dance at Bishop Justus will provide students with plentiful opportunity to go into the world and make a positive impact on it as well as being important, informed members of their own communities. We aim to do all of this through Faith, Learning and the delivery of an outstanding, knowledge rich Dance curriculum.