Performing Arts

A World Class School Offering the British Curriculum
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Welcome to DBSJP Performing Arts

As a Performing Arts department, we aim to ensure all students experience a high-quality, inclusive curricular and extra-curricular programme that celebrates everyone’s unique expression. We aim to nurture talent and equip students with the creativity and collaboration skills necessary for success in both the Arts and the broader global community, regardless of students’ previous experiences in music and drama. As a result of this, we are delighted to have been awarded the title of Best School for Theatre, Dance and Performing Arts in the UAE 2023-2024 by School’s Compared ‘Top Schools Awards’.

All students study Music from Key Stage 1 and Drama from Key Stage 3 on a weekly basis. Students are recognised not just for their ability to perform, but also for their creative skills, their articulated responses to Music and Drama, their understanding of performance theory and their ability to collaborate with and lead a group. Students can then opt to continue their Performing Arts education in Key Stage 4, with GCSE Drama, GCSE Music and/or BTEC Level 2 Performing Arts. A smooth transition into Key Stage 5 in all three subjects is available in the form of A Level and BTEC pathways.

A range of extra-curricular opportunities are available to our students across all three disciplines. For Music, this includes the school band, presentation choir, show choir, orchestra and samba band. Students have regular performance opportunities, ranging from formal external performances to ‘Tuneful Tuesdays’; a weekly opportunity for all abilities to perform in front of a small audience in our primary reception. As a department we strive to ensure all our students have as much “real world” experience and exposure as possible, evident most prominently in our annual secondary school productions for which we strive to replicate the professional industry. Students are involved at every level, including stage crew, costume design, set design, the pit band, box office management and the marketing of the show. For those less keen to perform in a formal setting but driven to develop their performance skills and confidence, our drama club is open to all.

Performance Opportunities

Our Elite Dance Squad perform regularly at events both in school and in the wider community, including the BSME Dance Competition for which they are reigning champions! Both competitive and non-competitive dance squads are available to our students. A range of curriculum dance and performance opportunities allow all our students to engage with a variety of dance styles from Year 1 onwards, and Dance is firmly embedded within the Physical Education curriculum.

DPA

The dance opportunities are supported by our extremely close professional partnership with Dubai Performing Arts. DPA deliver the BTEC Performing Arts Programme and provide incredible opportunities for students to experience masterclasses, workshops, specialised LAMDA lessons, audition preparation support, professional choreography and technical expertise, in addition to the fullest suite of performing arts qualifications from the industry’s most highly regarded external accreditors. Performing Arts graduates have gained places at top universities and Performing Arts schools, including ArtsEducational, Urdang, The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and The Brit School. We are extremely proud of our partnership with both DPA and CMA (Centre for Musical Arts), who offer private instrumental tuition to our students across primary and secondary during the school day.