DANCE and DRAMA

Foundation Stage to Year 6

Within The Elms, Dance and Drama are taught and experienced from the Foundation Stage to the end of Key Stage 2.

In the Foundation stage, pupils have opportunities to express themselves through role play and situational experiences, as well as their more formal participation in class assemblies, musicals and productions such as Nativity plays.

In the Nursery the half termly curriculum plans present opportunities for self expression and themed role play allowing pupils to build their confidence in group and individual communication and play.

In Reception and at Key Stage 1, the children have lessons encompassing dance and drama, allowing curriculum time to develop the technicalities of the subjects as well as the skills of speaking, listening, facial expressions and body awareness. All pupils have the opportunity to visit live theatre as well as participate in a production and class assembly each year.

Our approach to Key Stage 2 dance and drama is dynamic and stimulating.  Children experiernce different types of dance styles and develop their skills in choreography.  In Drama, our Junior pupils experience a mix of styles in order to develop a comprehensive drama vocabulary as they become increasingly aware of all aspects of performance. Drama lessons include the more formal speaking and listening skills while these practical lessons also teach the technicalities of mime, improvisation, dilemmas and situational drama. Pupils benefit from opportunities for creative, individual and group interaction when confidence can be developed and promoted. Performance in drama productions frequently includes an opportunity for choreography as well as experience in working as a team towards a shared ideal; all of our Key Stage 2 pupils enjoy performance participation at least twice a year as well as a trip to a live theatre production. For further information about performance opportunities, also see Concerts and Productions.