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Memorandum submitted by Sheffield Springs Academy
Executive Summary
1. Sheffield Springs Academy, Performing Arts Specialism, new city academy 2006, use of creative partnerships across the curriculum, supported by own capitation and specific funding applications for self contained work. Curriculum areas covered PHSE, Dance, Drama, Expressive Arts, Music, Art and Out of Hours Provision. The impact; students going on to study the Performing Arts post 16, self awareness, widens cultural horizons, creates an atmosphere of 'can do', ability to engage with the curriculum in a dynamic way and develops a body of students who want to 'join in'. Introduction
2. The Academy has now been open almost one full academic year and previously was called Myrtle Springs School. There is a tradition of working with artists and performing groups within the school for some time. We have been unable to obtain any funding from the Creative Partnerships to develop those partnerships but still maintain a close contact with a number of groups which relate to different areas of the curriculum. The Academy is committed to giving the pupils an experience of working with professional artists to develop their talents and to broaden their horizons as to potential careers. The issue is not the desire to create the partnerships but for artists and schools to have funds to be able to create a long term and meaningful partnership. Few organisations do not require any financial commitment from the academy other than Sheffield Galleries and some work with Northern School of Contemporary Dance (University of Leeds).
Factual Information
3. PHSE have a regular partnership with QDOS Dance Theatre who have developed pieces of work based around issues such as Hoax calls, TWOC and other such ideas. These are followed up by the company with a workshop based on the performance with follow up material that is now written into the schemes of work. This moves learning into an experiential form where students have to confront the emotions and consequences of actions.
4. Dance have a regular partnership with Hype Dance Company, who have come in to perform, run workshops and now run a regular after school class to help inspire boys in dance. Other short term collaborations have been with Ballet Rambert, Northern Contemporaries, Vincent Dance Theatre and various freelance dancers from the region. Students have been involved in the Yorkshire Young Dancers scheme through Northern School of Contemporary Dance.
5. Drama are in the process of establishing a partnership with Sheffield Theatres, some of the work has resulted in gifted and talented pupils going on to take part in out of school workshops and professional productions.
6. Expressive Arts have hosted short term workshops involving writers such as Terry Prachett and Ian MacMillan with freelance musicians and dramatists to produce work within a short period; from one day to a week residency and a summer school. This provides a challenge and stretch to the gifted and talented students.
7. Music have worked English Touring Opera on a couple of their pieces which has combined pupils performing with professional singers in opera for pupils and parents. They have also developed an annual arts festival involving Music in 360. This has helped create a thriving weekly performance concert of the performing arts, including occasional after school concert.
8. Art have taken part in work developed by Sheffield Galleries in conjunction with the V&A Museum around self image, collaborating with artists, working in the galleries and culminating in exhibitions at the local galleries as well as the V&A. An increased profile of school and pupils through local media attention.
9. Out of Hours Provision have created a partnership between pupils of different races and Footprint Arts, African Arts Club, based on the traditions of dance and music from Africa. Raises the profile of students who have English as a second language and improve their confidence and standing within the school community.
July 2007 |