​Expressive Arts

The Arts Faculty at Dukhan English School encourages students to enrich their lives and creativity by being involved in a variety of culturally rich activities. We offer students the opportunity to explore their creativity and passion not only within the academic curriculum, but in a diverse range of performances, devised plays, staged productions, art exhibitions, concerts, choirs, Musician of the Year competitions, and more recently an online Arts Show viewed by the community at large. Our enriching programme culminates in our annual Dukhan Arts Festival – an event which celebrates the best of the Arts and provides an opportunity for our diverse community of students, parents and staff to participate in a variety of workshops, masterclasses and also watch our home-grown talent perform.

Art and Design
Art & Design is a vital subject and it is invariably noted by visitors how impressive the standards are. We have a high profile, as many students have work exhibited around the school and our displays are regularly updated and admired by all. The department prides itself on making art meaningful, enjoyable and accessible to all students. We provide a unique means of self-expression, whilst promoting the confidence and a desire in the students to produce work of substantial quality. In order to achieve these objectives, an understanding of the formal elements of art is essential, together with technical competence in a wide range of media. Practical demonstrations are central to the teaching ethos of the department, providing an effective means of introducing new skills and techniques whilst generating confidence in the students.

Key Stage 3
Our students are introduced to different materials, techniques and artists. Every student has multiple opportunities to demonstrate and enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding, enabling progression and individual development in Art & Design.

Key Stage 4
The Art & Design GCSE course is quite challenging, demanding a great deal of dedication and commitment. The option is open to all students who have a serious interest in Art, whatever their ability. The department is very proud of the results achieved by the students, year on year. The Year 11 cohort this year will complete their GCSE with Edexcel in June 2021, but the rest of the department will be transitioning to the Cambridge Examination board, to offer maximum continuity and flexibility from Years 10 to Year 13.
Link to Edexcel specification for 2019-2021:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Art%20and%20Design/2016/specification-and-sample-assessments/gcse-art-design-2016-spec.pdf

Link to IGCSE Cambridge Specification for 2020-2022:
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/414106-2020-2022-syllabus.pdf

Key Stage 5
The Art & Design at AS and then A2 Level, which is more thematic/stimuli driven, allowing individuals to make Art & Design that reflects their own concerns, interests and issues.
Link to Cambridge specification:
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/415195-2019-2021-syllabus.pdf

Drama

"Growing up I was told that Drama was a subject that was not as important as STEM. Those people were far from right. Drama at DES has help shaped me into the person I am today. My confidence, my ability to cooperate and my creativity have all gone up exponentially. Drama is a gateway to a world of opportunity and choosing to pursue it was the best decision I could have ever made." - Fareeha Fatima – Year 13 student.

The Drama department in DES encourages students to express themselves by exploring different aspects of theatre, enabling them to excel and grow as responsible individuals. Drama is a means for students to develop and express their ideas, feelings, thoughts and opinions in a creative environment.

Key Stage 3
Students are taught Drama for five times over two weeks. The aim of Drama is for students to develop their communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity skills whilst also building their confidence, self-control and have respect for themselves and others.

Key Stage 4
Students follow the Edexcel GCSE Drama specification. The course recently changed with the focus not only on performing but on written analysis and evaluation. The course is divided into three components. Devising, where students are given a stimulus as their starting point and then the creation process begins. This concludes with a performance complimented with a portfolio that analyses and evaluates the creating, developing and refining process. Performance from Text, students perform two key extracts from a text, either as a group, duologue, or a monologue. Theatre Makers in Practice, in this component study a complete performance text and answer questions from a specific extract in the examination. Students also analyse and evaluate a Live Theatre Performance as part of the examination.
Link to Edexcel specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Drama/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/GCSE2016_L12_Drama_Issue_2_Specification.pdf

Key Stage 5
Student follow Edexcel A Level Theatre and Drama where they complete three components – Devising, Text in Performance and Theatre Makers in Practice. Students continue to develop the skills learnt in GCSE although through practical exploration and interpretation of theatre practitioners, students demonstrate a more complex and profound look into contemporary world of Theatre.
Link to Edexcel specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Drama%20and%20Theatre%20Studies/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/a-level_drama_spec.pdf

Music
Music has always been an integral part of the educational ethos at DES and we continue to strive to support our student’s growth through a comprehensive and thorough grounding in performing, composing and appraising music. Through practical music making, students learn to develop fine motor skills, gaining confidence in creating and developing ideas from the smallest thought to the realisation and performance of the final work.

Key Stage 3
Students are encouraged to develop their skills on a variety of instruments and are introduced to musical theory that underlies the western classical tradition. Opportunities to investigate a range of musical styles and genres around the world, and to compose music for popular song and stage and screen.

Key Stage 4
The Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Music Course equips students with a holistic understanding of music – students investigate, analyse and evaluate music and its features. They learn to perform, compose and appreciate different types of music, developing critical and creative thinking, cultural, aesthetic, and emotional awareness, and the ability to make music individually and as part of a group.
Link to Edexcel specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/GCSE/Music/2016/specification/Specification_GCSE_L1-L2_in_Music.pdf

Key Stage 5
The content builds on the understanding developed at KS4, avoiding unnecessary repetition while also ensuring that learners new to the subject are appropriately supported. This two-year course allows students to develop their knowledge and skills of music, enabling them to progress into undergraduate music or music related degree courses. Link to Edexcel Specification
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Music/2016/Specification%20and%20sample%20assessments/Pearson_Edexcel_Level_3_Advanced_GCE_in_Music_9MU0_specification.pdf