Expressive Arts Faculty
The Expressive Arts Faculty covers four disciplines:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In PE the school has achieved the Physical Education and School Sports(PESS) status by engaging pupils in high quality sports provision. Learning opportunities are extended through a wide range of extra curricular and 5X60 clubs both in and out of school hours learning. The school is also an accredited Sports Leaders Centre. The curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 ensures a broad and balanced range of experiences aimed at engaging all pupils and promoting success. The school is recognised for its sporting achievements at District, County and International level.
ART
The environment of the school is visually enriched by the many colourful art displays in the corridors and communal spaces produced by the inspirational Art Department. As well as mounting an annual exhibition of GCSE work, the department works closely with other areas within the faculty and the school to support Expressive Art productions. Art is taught at both KS3 and KS4 where Art is a popular option for GCSE. The Art curriculum is designed to offer learners experience of working with a wide range of art media and technique such as painting and drawing, 3D sculpture, textiles and printmaking.
MUSIC
Pupils study a broad and balanced curriculum at KS3 covering topics such as Jazz and Blues, Indian music, Popular Music, African Drumming and Reggae. At KS4, pupils can opt for Music or Music Technology. The school is an accredited centre for NCFE and, at present, runs Music Technology Level 2. Pupils are able to take instrumental lessons in Brass, Strings (including electric/acoustic guitar), Percussion/Drums, Piano/Keyboard, woodwind and vocals. Many pupils work towards Associated Board/ Rock School exams and some just enjoy it as a hobby.
DRAMA
Drama is important in the lives of the pupils at Pontllanfraith. There is enormous enthusiasm for the subject and some excellent standards are achieved at all levels. Facilities are continually expanding to enable the pupils to gain an increasingly rich variety of experience and opportunities to develop not only their own skills in performance but in creativity and craftsmanship.
We are very fortunate in Drama to be able to teach in a varied way. We encompass all types of teaching from individual work, through pair work, group work of various sizes to work with the whole class. Our work involves both teacher-led and pupil-led activities, work of a practical nature in an open space and written work through worksheets, diaries and theatre reviews. They are also able to learn, hands on, the technical aspects of theatre such as sound, lighting, stage management, costume and stage design through the various shows and drama clubs we organise throughout the year