Our Curriculum

At Philip Southcote School, our Expressive Arts curriculum is inclusive, purposeful, and aspirational, ensuring all students develop creativity, confidence, and communication skills that prepare them for life beyond school. Through drama, dance, music, and design, students explore identity, emotions, and culture in ways that enrich their learning and personal development.

Our curriculum is rooted in practical, engaging experiences that promote collaboration, problem-solving, and resilience. Students learn to express themselves through performance and creative design, while building transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking. Expressive Arts also supports literacy through script writing, reflective journaling, and analysis of lyrics, alongside developing evaluative language and presentation skills.

• Key Stage 3: Students explore core techniques in voice, movement, rhythm, and design. They work collaboratively on projects that build confidence and introduce performance skills, gradually moving towards more complex creative tasks and cultural themes.
• Key Stage 4: Students deepen their technical and creative abilities through project-based learning. They have opportunities to specialise and gain accreditation through the Bronze Arts Award, a nationally recognised qualification that develops independence, leadership, and reflective practice.

Our Skills Ladder is developmental, not year-based, allowing students to progress at their own pace. It focuses on:

• Performance and Presentation: Using voice, movement, and design to communicate ideas.
• Creative Design: Applying artistic techniques to create purposeful work.
• Communication and Collaboration: Sharing ideas, giving feedback, and working effectively in teams.
• Reflection and Evaluation: Reviewing creative choices and improving outcomes.
• Leadership: Taking initiative and guiding others in creative projects.

Students develop increased confidence in expressing themselves, working collaboratively, and applying creative processes to solve problems. They leave with a strong foundation of academic, social, and emotional skills that support their progression into further education, employment, and participation in cultural life.

Progress is tracked through the Southcote Steps and ongoing formative feedback during practical tasks. At Key Stage 4, students work towards the Bronze Arts Award, which offers external recognition of their achievements and helps shape future aspirations.

At Philip Southcote School, Expressive Arts is about more than creativity, it’s about building confidence, fostering inclusion, and preparing students for adulthood.