Visual and Performing Arts
Performing Arts is one of the 4 Pillars of The Canterbury Academy Trust. Our aim is for all students to not only develop and improve as performers and musicians, but to also develop their self-esteem, confidence and communication skills so that they will be able succeed in their future.
Middle School
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students study dance, drama, music and art starting with the basics of performance styles and techniques. Our approach centres on the enjoyment and engagement of students and building the skills needed to become a confident performer. The students also have the opportunity to compose, choreograph and direct.
Senior School
Students are able to study dance, drama, music, art, photography and performing arts in the Senior School. In drama students explore and devise, script work and evaluate live performance and theatre design while in music, students will study eight set works and learn to analyse these pieces both in isolation and in comparison to other works of a similar era and style. Dance students follow focus on choreography, dance history and performance styles.
In Art and Photography, students will experiment with a range of media, techniques and processes and develop their own ideas towards a final outcome. In Photography they will learn about the camera and how to use the photography studio, Photoshop and the darkroom. In Art they will develop skills in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, including ceramics, plaster, cardboard and wire.
Sixth Form
Students join the Sixth Form from far and wide to enrol in the Specialist Performing Arts at The Canterbury Institute for Performing Arts.
We also offer a Stage School pathway, which provides further opportunities to work with voice, dance and acting professionals to further develop their talents and opportunities. Academically, we offer BTECs in Performing Arts, Musical Theatre, Dance and Music alongside A-Levels in Dance and Drama.
The Visual Arts department includes A-Levels you can study in Art, Photography and Film Studies. The department boasts excellent facilities with a photography studio, a black and white darkroom, ceramic facilities, potters wheel and kiln and every A-Level art student gets their own art studio space for the entirety of their course.
Our Sixth Form students go into a variety of positive destinations after finishing with us including professional work, performance related degrees at university and careers in the arts industry.