At Bury Church of England High School, our Performing Arts department exists to inspire every student to let their light shine. We believe that Drama empowers young people to find their voice, explore their creativity, and develop the confidence, empathy, and resilience needed for life beyond school.

Through exploration of performance, design, directing and devising, students learn to collaborate, take creative risks, and value diverse perspectives. We aim to nurture articulate, independent and imaginative theatre makers who can think critically, work with integrity, and use their creativity to make sense of the world around them.

Our department celebrates individuality while fostering teamwork, respect and responsibility. Whether performing on stage, designing behind the scenes or leading rehearsals, students are encouraged to approach every opportunity with curiosity, courage and compassion, developing not only as artists but as confident, kind and reflective young people prepared for life in all its fullness.

Our Key Stage 3 Drama curriculum is inclusive, engaging and carefully sequenced to build creativity, confidence and performance literacy from Year 7 to Year 9. It provides every student with a foundation in the core skills of acting, devising and design, while developing vital personal qualities such as teamwork, communication and self discipline.

Students experience a wide range of theatrical styles and practitioners, from Ancient Greek Theatre and Shakespeare to Brecht, Artaud, Boal and Frantic Assembly. They explore both scripted and devised performance, analysing how theatre reflects social, historical and moral contexts. Lessons are practical, creative and collaborative, encouraging students to experiment, reflect and refine their work.

Drama at Key Stage 3 fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum for spoken language and performance, while offering a distinctive creative journey that prepares students for GCSE Drama and for life beyond the classroom.

Our Key Stage 4 Drama curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and designed to extend the creative and analytical skills developed at Key Stage 3. Students are challenged to become independent theatre makers who interpret text, devise original performances and analyse professional work with imagination and intellectual curiosity.

The course balances practical and theoretical study through three strands: Devising Theatre, Performance of Scripted Work, and Analysis of Set Texts and Live Theatre. Students study influential practitioners such as Brecht, Artaud, Stanislavski and Frantic Assembly, exploring how theatre communicates meaning and provokes thought.

Alongside performance, students gain insight into the full spectrum of theatrical disciplines including lighting, sound, costume and set design. Cultural capital is enriched through theatre visits, professional workshops and whole school productions, ensuring that every student develops both creative skill and critical understanding. By the end of Key Stage 4, our students leave with confidence, discipline and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Performing Arts at Bury Church offers an exciting and inclusive range of extra curricular opportunities for students at all stages.

At Key Stage 3, pupils can take part in the Stagecraft Club and our annual school production, where they explore acting, dance and music in a supportive and creative environment. Students can also take on technical roles such as lighting, sound, set, costume and make up, developing a practical understanding of the wider theatre industry. Theatre visits and workshops with professional companies inspire students to see how classroom learning connects to the professional world of performance.

At Key Stage 4, students have further opportunities to refine their skills through enrichment workshops, auditioned performance groups and leadership roles within productions. They participate in live theatre analysis trips, practitioner workshops and public performances that deepen their understanding of theatre making. Many students also volunteer to support younger pupils in clubs and rehearsals, developing leadership, confidence and a sense of responsibility.

Across all year groups, our extra-curricular programme encourages students to build friendships, grow in self-belief and celebrate their individuality through performance. These experiences bring our Performing Arts values to life through creativity, confidence and community, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to shine.