The Sports Performance and Arts Faculty

Ms Nolan

Head of Art and Teacher of Art and Photography

Our Vision

Our aim is to provide a broad, stimulating and inclusive curriculum that fosters a love of the Arts and develops all students’ creativity and cultural understanding regardless of artistic ability. We want students to think and act like artists, designers and craft- makers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment with and develop their creativity whilst encouraging their own personal expression.  We do this by teaching them about visual literacy so that they can read, interpret and find meaning in different art, crafts and cultural contexts. We aim to provide learning contexts that promote their understanding of how art and design reflects and shapes our history, whilst developing their cultural capital. Our curriculum is planned and sequenced so that students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of different media, techniques and contextual sources are progressively built on.  These threshold concepts underpin our curriculum and are delivered through theme- based termly projects at KS3. At Key Stage 3, students develop their skills in drawing, painting, collage and mixed media and 3-D.  Students will explore a range of artists both past and present, as well as crafts-persons and cultures, developing their analytical and critical thinking skills and an appreciation of the contexts in which the works were made. They will work in sketchbooks to record information, develop their ideas and evaluate their work.

Our Team

Mrs Nolan - Head of Art and Teacher of Art and Photography
Mrs Lucas - Second in Art
Mrs Taylor - Assistant Head Teacher Assessment, recording and reporting. Year 7 SLMT Liaison, Teacher of Art
Mrs Green - Teacher of Art and Photography
Mrs Begum - Teacher of Art
Mrs Brocklehurst - Teacher of Art and AST
Miss Wilson - Teacher of Art

Teaching and Learning

The Art Department is an ‘Outstanding’ Department made up of seven specialist staff and a part-time technician. We are a highly motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated department who are supportive of one another and always strive for excellence, for both students and staff. Staff offer a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum which inspires and provides students with opportunities to explore a wide range of artists, skills, materials and personal responses through our carousel system at KS3 and through carefully tailored projects within our KS4 courses.

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 - 9

All KS3 students follow a two-week timetable where they receive three lessons per fortnight. KS3 students will develop their skills in a range of specialist areas such as drawing, painting and mixed media.

Student attainment and progress is recorded and tracked carefully through their Progress Trackers.

Key Stage 4 - Year 10 & 11

KS4 students follow either the AQA GCSE Fine Art or GCSE Photography syllabuses. Year 10 and 11 students are provided with two-year course which will enable them to achieve the very best grades. Historically GCSE results in Art our school are outstanding, with a large proportion achieving top grades on both KS4 courses.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching process and all lessons incorporate regular opportunities for peer and self-assessment. At KS3 assessment and recording procedures ensure students’ progress is closely monitored using our Progress Tracker. Standardization procedures are well established at KS4 and assessment of students’ progress is regularly moderated at department, faculty and school level.

Resources and Rooms

We have four purpose-built Art rooms along with two additional rooms, both with computer suites used for Art and Photography. We also have a specialist ceramics area which is fully equipped with two kilns.

Home Learning

Home Learning is set once a term at Key Stage 3. Students will practice and refine their skills and further embed their core knowledge of the subject. Home Learning is set on a fortnightly basis for Key Stage 4 and contributes to students’ development and completion of project work.

Lunch Club Activities

Half-termly Student Enrichment activities are offered by Art staff to provide KS3 students the opportunity to experience specialist areas in Art and Design such as Ceramics, Photography, Photoshop and Textiles. Lunch time drawing clubs are also delivered to allow students to explore and develop their skills further. At KS3 we run our annual Gifted and Talented trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park along with our visits to The Lowry Art Gallery/Media City (GCSE Photography) and Manchester City Art Gallery (GCSE Fine Art) for our KS4 students.

Mrs Payne

Head of Drama

Our Vision

We provide a vibrant and exciting Drama curriculum that develops each student’s emotional growth and allows access to the Arts. Drama provides all learners the opportunity to engage with others, helping them to develop effective communication skills whilst encouraging collaboration on a wide range of creative arts repertoire, events, themes, moral and social issues. The curriculum offered has engaging SMSC strands running through each topic which enthuses our students through its relevance to their own lives and the world in which they live. Within our curriculum learners create, develop, rehearse and perform in scripted and devised performance styles, honing a range of dramatic skills and techniques. This helps them to understand, interpret and explore the evolving world around them. Learners participate in drama activities that enable them to understand and experience fictional and real-life events within differing contexts, thus establishing empathy. Drama facilitates the key skills of cooperation, leadership, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and imagination whilst promoting core literacy, more specifically oracy. This in turn supports learners to become well-rounded, self-confident individuals, fostering an appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. In addition to Drama lessons students are offered many opportunities as part of our wider curriculum to extend their experiences within the arts and their cultural capital. Some opportunities take place within school, but they also include live theatre visits, working with external agencies and theatre professionals.

Our Team

Mrs Payne - Head of Drama

Mrs Groves - Teacher of Drama

Teaching and Learning

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 - 9

All students follow a two week timetable and in Drama they have one, one hour lesson over the course of the two weeks.

The curriculum covers key Drama elements through a variety of exciting topics and play studies, these key elements include: Script work, Devising and Skills and technique development. Within each topic students will create, rehearse and perform key scenes and then evaluate their progress. More detail of the topics can be found on our Drama long term plan.

Key Stage 4 - Year 10 & 11

In this key stage, all students in years 10 and 11, who have opted for Drama follow the EDUQAS GCSE Drama course. Students explore set texts and devised tasks through the role of a performer, director and designer throughout the course, building upon their experiences at KS3 and expanding their knowledge of different theatrical styles. Students also complete a live theatre review for which they attend professional Theatre productions as an audience.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching process and all lessons incorporate regular opportunities for peer and self-assessment. At KS3 assessment and recording procedures ensure students’ progress is closely monitored using our Progress Booklet. Standardization procedures are well established at KS4 and assessment of students’ progress is regularly moderated at department, faculty and school level.

Resources and Rooms

We have two dedicated, purpose-built drama studios that cater for both practical and theory lessons which are also equipped with digital projectors. Both rooms have recently been updated with brand new LED professional stage lighting and black stage blocks. The largest drama studio also converts to form a professional theatre stage to our main Hall, where a number of performances are held throughout each academic year. Students also have access to laptops to complete written coursework in KS4.

Home Learning

KS3 students receive a Drama Home learning task once every half term and KS4 students will receive regular Home learning connected to in what they are studying with their class teacher.

Aims:

• To develop students’ understanding of how drama techniques and skills can communicate meaning in performance.
• To create a culture of independent learning where learning outside the classroom is regarded as standard practice.
• For students to be able to apply knowledge and understanding of making, performing and responding to drama.
• To revise for exams or prepare for coursework tasks at KS4.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The department is committed to an extensive offer of Extra-Curricular Activities. We run lunchtime Drama clubs for KS3 and KS4 students. This gives our students the opportunity to explore a wide range of skills and techniques. The department also works closely with Theatre groups and professional practitioners who come into school to work with our talented students.

We contribute regular to school events throughout the year including SPA Celebration Evening, Presentation Evening, Performing Arts Xplosion - a charity performance held at Easter time. The department also leads on the annual school production; the standard of which continues to improve each year. In recent years, we have performed shows including Mary Poppins, High School Musical and Moana.

Mr Corrigan

Head of SPA & Music

Our Vision

The aim of the Music Department is to provide an aspirational five-year curriculum offer that seeks to enthuse, enrich, and engage all students in a wide range of Musical endeavours.

Music is a universally inclusive language. The Music Department seeks to develop all learners of all ability levels and cultural backgrounds through performance, composition and aural appraisal of a range of musical styles.
The curriculum offer (inc. Extra-Curricular opportunities) is designed to be forward-thinking, developmental, career focussed and through our extensive links with external partners, prepares students for an independent leading role in the cultural & creative world in which they live.

Our Team

Mr Corrigan – Head of SPA & Music
Mr Dzida - Associate Lead in Music
Mr Eccleston – Teacher of Music

Teaching and Learning

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 - 9

We are proud to be a MiSST school from September 2020. Working alongside the Music in Secondary Schools Trust, every one of our students receive a free orchestral instrument upon arrival at the school and small group instrumental tuition as part of their Music Curriculum. Students follow the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme and have access to a number of additional Programmes of Excellence. We will be launching the programme from September 2020 to new Year 7s and will be one of only two schools outside of London (17 schools nationally) to offer this opportunity.

From Year 8 and 9, the curriculum is split into three units per year each lasting a term each. Within each unit, there is the opportunity to apply musical skills and knowledge across a variety of settings. Topics include: 8.1 Stage and Screen, 8.2 Music for Dance, 8.3 Jazz & Blues, 9.1 Battle of the Bands (Madchester), 9.2 Pachelbel’s Remix & 9.3 Spooky Music (Classical Composition in the 20^th Century). All KS3 students will access the music curriculum for one hour every week at school.

Key Stage 4 - Year 10 & 11

In year 10 and 11, students following the GCSE Music programme will follow the Eduqas GCSE Music specification and will have the opportunity to learn about a range of Musical styles and study pieces include Badinerie by J.S. Bach as well as an analysis of Africa by the Toto.

We are incredibly proud to be able to offer Music Technology as a discreet option at The Radclyffe School and the subject is becoming increasingly popular. Students follow the NCFE Level 2 Technical Award in Music Technology. This course allows them the opportunity to develop real life industry standard skills and experience the Music Industry first hand. Each KS4 student that picks music as an option will have access to the music curriculum for 5 hours per fortnight.

Groupings at Key Stage 4

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of the learning and teaching process and all lessons incorporate regular opportunities for peer and self-assessment. At KS3 assessment and recording procedures ensure students’ progress is closely monitored using our Progress Booklet. Standardization procedures are well established at KS4 and assessment of students’ progress is regularly moderated at department, faculty and school level.

Resources and Rooms

The Music accommodation comprises 2 large classrooms, a practice room with recording/mixing desk and software, resource room, state-of-the-art recording studio and a foyer large enough to use as a performance space.  The classrooms each have an interactive whiteboard, Yamaha Clavinova, PA/mixing desk unit, 15 full size MIDI keyboards, and 15 computers.  Each computer runs Sibelius V and a range of sequencing software.  The department also has Logic Pro for use within our recording studio as well as on six portable MacBook computers.

We have a large stock of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, acoustic and electric guitars, a number of drum kits, synthesisers, microphones, sampler, The facilities for staff and learning and teaching are outstanding in this ‘state of the art’ school. We also have access to an increasing Music Technology stock including DJ decks and a Novation Launchpad.

Schemes of work are planned collaboratively and stored centrally for easy access and use by all staff and students.

Home Learning

KS3 students undertaking the MiSST programme will be required to complete weekly practise sessions as well as regular theory work set by their class teacher for their homework. This is the normal requirement for anyone completing the MiSST programme. KS4 students will receive theoretical homework once per fortnight as well as practical homework every week in relation to what they are studying with their class teacher.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The department is committed to an extensive offer of Extra-Curricular Activities. We run lunchtime rehearsals for a large number of school ensembles including: 2 Rock Bands, Vocal Group, Chamber Choir, Boys Choir, Acapella Choir and DJ Club. These groups will contribute to regular performance events within the school as well as at events held nationally through the MiSST programme and through our ongoing creative partnerships with organisations such as the BBC.

We contribute regular to school events throughout the year including SPA Celebration Evening, Presentation Evening, Performing Arts Xplosion - a charity performance held at Easter time and our very own Young Musician of the Year event each June. The department also leads on the annual school production; the standard of which continues to improve each year. In recent years, we have performed shows including The Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, Mary Poppins and Joseph. We are currently preparing for a performance of Hairspray.

The department is committed to providing a number of collaborative cultural experiences for our students and in recent years we have participated in a number of local and national Arts programmes. We are a key participant in the annual BBC Music Day celebrations held each year and are part of the planning team for the regional programme of events each year. We also contributed TramTracks, a joint celebration of the 21^st anniversary of the Bridgewater Hall and the 25^th anniversary of Manchester’s Metrolink network.

Mr Mellor

Head of Physical Education

Our Vision

Our aim is to provide a broad, engaging and inclusive curriculum that fosters a love of sport, physical activity and being healthy and active, regardless of sporting ability. We hope that this will continue after students have left school.

We aim to give knowledge and understanding of skills, tactics, rules of each sporting activity, but more importantly, develop leadership, communication, trust, friendship and cultural cohesion in our students.

Our Team

Mr Mellor – Head of Physical Education
Miss Goddard – Head of Girls` Physical Education, Head of Dance
Miss Arnold – Assistant Headteacher, Lead Gifted & Talented Teacher
Miss Cooper – Teacher of Physical Education
Mr Finc – School Sports Coordinator, Teacher of Physical Education
Mr Howarth – Teacher of PE
Mr Meehan – Assistant Headteacher
Miss Parkinson – Head of C & V, Careers Lead and Work Experience Coordinator
Mrs Standring – Teacher of Physical Education
Mr Waugh – Teacher of Physical Education

Teaching and Learning

In Physical Education, students are taught a broad and balanced curriculum which equips them with the knowledge, confidence and skills to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle after school and beyond. At The Radclyffe School we are proud to have achieved the Sports Mark platinum award which recognises our efforts in providing extensive extracurricular opportunities for all of our students.

Key Stage 3 - Year 7 - 9

The Key Stage 3 curriculum is aimed at providing students with a wide range of experiences across a variety of sporting activities. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of topics and find sporting endeavours which they enjoy and look to pursue after in their free time and in their adult life.

In Key Stage 3 students are taught in single sex classes and are usually grouped with students of a similar ability to enhance learning and maximise progress. At KS3 boys cover topics such as; Football, Cricket, Rugby, Athletics, Badminton, Health & Fitness, Gymnastics, Table Tennis and Basketball. Girls will cover; Netball, Gymnastics, Dance, Badminton, Rounders, Health & Fitness, Athletics and Trampolining.

At Key Stage 3 all students participate in 2 PE lessons a week, lasting 1 hour each.

Key Stage 4 - Year 10 & 11

At Key Stage 4 all students take part in 3 x 1 hour PE lessons a fortnight. As in KS3 all students are taught in single sex groups and study a broad range of topics similar to key those offered at KS3. Students are however provided with the opportunity to choose the activities they study each term to maximise engagement and enjoyment.

At Key Stage 4 we offer 2 vocational qualification courses which students are able to choose as an option. These are:

OCR Sport Studies:

This course allows students to develop an understanding of contemporary issues in modern sport, with topics such as disability in sport, drugs in sport and hosting major sporting events. Students also visit modern stadiums including the Etihad and Old Trafford.

Students are also provided with practical opportunities to take part in outdoor and adventurous activities such as rock climbing and orienteering which form part of their assessment in this qualification.

Leadership is also a key aspect of Sport Studies and as part of their qualification, students are required to plan and deliver a sports activity session to a group of primary students.

Assessment

Students are assessed in grade categories of Emerging, Developing, Secure and Mastering of a variety of different skill and knowledge-based sporting activities.

These activities include: 

Football, Volleyball, Athletics, Rounders, Trampolining, Softball, Handball, Basketball, Dance, Cricket, Leadership, Netball, Leadership, Rugby, Badminton, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Dodgeball, Ultimate frisbee.

Students are given a grade in each sporting activity.

Resources and Rooms

The PE department have fantastic sports facilities, unparalleled in Oldham and the North West.

• State of the art Dance studio (with mirrored wall and ballet bar)
• Two full size sports halls, each with 5 a side football and cricket nets, badminton and basketball courts.
• Indoor Athletics 60 metre track, indoor sand pit, indoor high jump, indoor pole vault, Indoor Athletics netted throwing area.
• Indoor Climbing wall.
• 2 Olympic size trampolines
• 8 Table Tennis tables.
• Floodlit 400m outdoor Athletics track, including 4 long jump pits, high jump area and throwing cage.
• 4 outdoor hard court tennis courts (and netball courts)
• Outdoor Astro turf: 3, 7 a side football pitches (1 full size pitch)
• A large grass field with 2 football pitches and 3 Rounders pitches
• Fitness suite – with exercise machines and weight machines suitable and safe for teenagers.
• PE ICT classrooms with computers for each student.
• There is enough equipment for one bat and ball per student in all sports.

Home Learning

KS3

Key Stage 3 home learning is set in the second week of each term. Students are given a week to hand it in. If a student does not hand it in on time, they are given a second opportunity and a catch-up session is issued if it is still not handed in.
There is a menu of different home learning tasks. Students can choose which one they would like to do. Teachers may set a task for the whole class to complete relevant to the learning of a particular topic.

Each term, the best pieces of home learning are chosen from each class and a reward is issued. This could be a positive log, postcard or phone call home. Out of the best home learnings, a winner is chosen from the whole year group. The winner and runner up are awarded prizes in assembly. The prize could be; a football, a netball or a basketball or another piece of equipment related to the curriculum.

KS4

Key Stage 4 home learning is set once a fortnight for students studying Sport Science and Sport Studies. If a student does not hand it in, they are given a second opportunity and if they fail to do so a second time, a catch-up session is issued. These homeworks are vital to deepening students` knowledge and understanding of topics covered in class.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Every Lunch time the PE department offer a vast range of different sports and activities to get involved with. It is very popular and a great opportunity to improve your skills and make new friends.  Please ensure you bring your PE kit to get changed into.  The list below shows some of the sports that are on offer on a daily basis:

5 aside football, Basketball, Cricket, SHOKK Gym, Table Tennis, Dodgeball, Trampolining, Climbing, Netball, Rounders, Cheerleading, Dance, Badminton

School Teams

Here at The Radclyffe School we provide every student with the opportunity to be part of a sports team, no matter what skill level or experience.  This is a great opportunity to improve your skills and make new friends.  Furthermore, it is a great opportunity to build your knowledge and skill level in a range of different sports, either individually or within a team setting, against students from other schools. Here are some of the school teams you can be part of at The Radclyffe School.

• Boys Football, Rugby, Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Trampolining, Cricket, Cross Country, Athletics, Softball, Badminton.
• Girls Netball, Football, Tag Rugby, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance Troupe, Badminton, Table Tennis, Rounders, Athletics

Educational Visits

Here at The Radclyffe School we give the students a chance to attend a range of different educational visits.  These are a great opportunity to be part of, allowing students to access the wider world of sport.  There are a range of trips that are associated with Sport Studies, Sport Science and Gifted and Talented within PE.  We visit a range of different places and sporting institutions.  The list below shows some of the places we have visited over the past few years.

• Oldham Sixth Form College
• The Etihad Stadium
• Old Trafford
• Rochdale Football Club
• Leeds Beckett University
• Hopwood Hall College