Music and Performing Arts

Music Intent

Everyone can be a musician at Uplands. Through our curriculum, we ensure that every student gains the knowledge required to compose and perform a melody and chords. We sing, we play keyboards and we learn how to read musical notation. Our students become fluent in the language of music, discussing the effects of dynamics, tone and pitch.  

While developing skills for listening to music and identifying the sounds they hear, our students are introduced to masterful musicians from around the world including Bach, Vivaldi, Schumann and Tchaikovsky, and we draw on contemporary musicians such as Stormzy to see the similarities and differences between diverse approaches to musical expression. Our students gain knowledge of a wide range of musical influences and learn about the contexts in which they were produced, including reggae, samba and bhangra. 

In our lessons, our students learn to value music and the moods it creates. We know that all of life’s significant moments are accompanied by music and seek to ensure all of Uplands’ students develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music.  

How our subject contributes to personal development  

We challenge preconceptions that young people might have about classical music and, through considering the role of music in film and technology, we widen their musical knowledge and appreciation of diversity. 

By introducing our students to a wide range of composers and performers including women and men, people from various cultures and ethnicities around the world, disabled musicians and musicians of varying faiths and beliefs, we contribute to our students’ appreciation of diversity and inclusion.  

Students develop their creativity and problem solving skills. They learn how to collaborate effectively with others and develop confidence in sharing their work through performance.  

Enrichment Opportunities and Wider Support 

• Trip to see a musical production 

• Trip to the London Symphony Orchestra concert, London 

• Creative Arts Showcase 

• Carols Round the Christmas Tree  

Performing Arts Intent

Through our drama curriculum, our students develop creative expression. We provide a sequence of opportunities to explore characters and situations imaginatively through storytelling and improvisation. This helps students to develop empathy and consider diverse perspectives and experiences.  

Our curriculum encourages students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills as they explore scripts, characters and ideas which require them to think deeply about meaning and context. Students learn how to improvise, rehearse and perform scripts in order to discuss language and meaning.  

We support students in developing their vocal skills, including using intonation, tone, volume, mood and silence effectively. We also develop students’ physical skills including stance, gesture, posture and physicality.  

To support students’ cultural awareness, we introduce students to a variety of theatre forms, genres and scripts.  

How our subject contributes to personal development  

Our lessons aim to build students’ self-confidence in public speaking and discussion through sharing their work with others. We also support students in developing the ability to collaborate with others through teamwork. They learn how to share their ideas and listen respectfully to each other.  

Through exploring characters, our students develop empathy and acceptance of others. They consider what makes a healthy relationship and how to resolve conflicts.  

We provide a safe environment for students to explore issues relating to equality and diversity through their creative work. In our lessons, we also learn about the importance of mutual respect and active participation.  

Enrichment Opportunities and Wider Support 

• Drama Club 

• Performing Arts Showcase 

• School Production