DT, Arts and Performing Arts (DAPA)

Head of Department: Mrs Jeffery

The Department encourages students to be curious and inquisitive, inspiring students to step out of their comfort zone to explore their full potential and develop character. Students are encouraged to explore, create and problem solve within a variety of contexts. Students learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.

This department is led by Head of Department, Mrs Jeffery, and 4 Subject Leaders: Mrs Burlington (Art, Textiles and Photography), Miss Dean (Dance and Drama), Mrs Williams (Music) & Ms Jones (DT and Food Technology).

The department is ever-evolving, ensuring we have the right courses in place to support current cohorts, allowing all students to thrive. All students access Drama, Dance, Music, Art, DT and Food as part of their KS3 curriculum, developing life skills which coincide with the Academy’s 6-character pillars. All subjects provide stimulating and inspiring opportunities, not only supporting student learning but encouraging them to think ahead to possible career opportunities.

A combination of GCSE, Vocational and A Level qualification are offered within DAPA at KS4 and KS5. Students with passion, drive and ambition are often very successful within our subjects due to the creative nature and thought processes that are explored.

Aims of our department:

  1. Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
  2. Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to nurture a natural curiosity in students to challenge and question.
  3. Develop confidence in students through a plethora of methods to enable them to be confident risk takers building their resilience to the fear of failure and enable them to problem solve.

Subject offer at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5

KS4: GCSE Art, GCSE Photography, GCSE Fashion Textiles, GCSE Design Technology, GCSE Music, BTEC Dance, GCSE Drama.

KS5: A Level Fine Art, A Level Art Textiles, A Level Digital Photography, A Level Art Graphics.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Extra-curricular clubs offered after school in Art range from Props Club, SEND Art and Craft, Printmaking, Photoshop and Clay. These may change from term to term and students should keep an eye on the student communications for updates. Open studios are also available for GCSE and A level students at certain times of the year to access equipment and resources to support coursework.

If you have any questions regarding any of the DAPA subjects, please contact 

Mrs Jeffery - EXJ@tda.education

Mrs Burlington - RLB@tda.education

Miss Dean - JDP@tda.education

Mrs Jones - SJJ@tda.education

Mrs Williams – BEW@tda.education