Area of Learning and Experience: Expressive Arts
Area of Learning and Experience Leader: Mrs F. Williams
Vision for AoLE:
Expressive Arts at Pentrehafod School is delivered by a highly effective and cohesive team
who provide pupils with rich and authentic contexts in an inclusive learning environment.
Pupils feel safe and confident to explore, develop and collaborate on creative work;
building knowledge, skills and critical thinking appropriate for the Expressive Arts
industry; nurturing social, emotional skills and well-being; preparing for life-long learning.
At Pentrehafod School the Expressive Arts is generally delivered through an
interdisciplinary approach, where the learning is focused on one discipline at a time with
all areas connected by the creative process, theme or context. Through linking the creative
process across the disciplines, learners connect their skills while developing a deeper level
of discipline-specific knowledge and understanding. Throughout the academic year there
are opportunities for learners to experience blended learning approaches, mirroring the
world of work in the creative and cultural industries.
Learners will gain opportunities to develop the level of complexity, control, depth and
independence at which they are working.
Curriculum Areas within the AoLE:
• Art
• Performing Arts – Dance and Drama
• Music
• Film and Digital Media
Curriculum Information:
Throughout your journey in Expressive Arts you will be offered a variety of
opportunities to explore a range of artists work. An example of this in Art would be
analysing the skills and techniques applied by pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy
Litchenstein and Burton Morris. One example of work you will undertake in Drama is
analysing how different companies such as Frantic Assembly use physical theatre to
communicate creative intentions to an audience. You will also explore a variety of
Dance styles like Swing, Hip Hop and Contemporary. In Music lessons you will
explore a range of music styles such as pop, blues and folk music.
You will develop how you respond and reflect on different creative works looking at
the various ways that artists use visual elements, musical elements, performance
skills and techniques in order to communicate ideas and meaning to an audience
through different art forms.
In lessons you will create your own responses using different practitioners’ work to
influence your own creative ideas. This may be in form of a drawing, painting, print
work or clay work in Art, through composing your own music or performing existing
music in Music, or through devising/choreographing your own performance work or
preparing scripted work as a group and individually in Drama and Dance.
During your Art, Music, Drama/Dance lessons you will explore how Film and Digital
Media enhances creative processes and develop a range of digital competence skills
on your journey.
In addition to curriculum lessons we offer drums, guitar, vocal and keyboard lessons
with experienced peripatetic teachers. These lessons are available to any pupils who
wish to further study an instrument and are taught in small groups or on a one to
one basis. As part of our commitment to ensure all pupils are provided with the
same opportunities, the cost of these lessons is covered by Pentrehafod school.
Qualifications Offered and Examination Boards:
The Expressive Arts AoLE supports learners to make informed decisions regarding option
choices for further study. The Expressive Arts AoLE offers the following qualifications:
BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts Awarded by Pearsons
GCSE Art and Design Awarded by WJEC
GCSE Art and Design, Textile Art Awarded by WJEC
GCSE Art and Design Photography Awarded by WJEC
GCSE Music Awarded by WJEC
For more information about each of these courses click the link below: