Pupils at The Maelor School

Expressive Arts

Expressive Arts class

Brief overview

This area of learning includes:

Aim of the departments

Within the Expressive Arts we aim to develop:

  • to develop confident learners who are able to express themselves creatively, through collaborative and individual work
  • to instil an understanding of the importance of the Arts within society
  • to explore and have a clearer understanding to the real-world content visually, culturally and emotionally
  • to ensure high levels of media literacy
  • to develop confident users of digital technology through creative media practices
  • to provide performance opportunities
  • to develop proficient orators who are able to speak well, and advocate for themselves
  • Pupils who are reflective practitioners able to review their own work and identify ways to move forward

Drama at The Maelor School aims to teach far more than acting skills. The theatre practitioner Augusto Boal believed that his forum theatre allowed people to participate in a rehearsal for life. Drama at school likewise creates an opportunity for pupils to explore and develop their potential within the secure confines of fiction. Growing in the ability to negotiate, develop empathy and find creative solutions to problems allows pupils to practise life without the pressure of dire consequences if they fail. However, we also aim to provide them with a rich and varied theatrical experience and instil in them performance skills which can be taken with them into all walks of life.

By encouraging confident and creative users of digital media, we aim to foster learners who are ready to navigate the media world around them and contribute to the 21st century media landscape.

Brief description of the structure of the curriculum

Pupils are taught by specialist teachers in the separate disciplines of Art, Drama and Music throughout Years 7, 8 and 9.

Within their curriculum they learn individual subject skills and also experience the wider Expressive Arts, including aspects of Media and Dance.

In each of year 7,8 and 9 all pupils participate in an Integrated Project where the Expressive Arts are combined. This culminates in pupils in year 9 being entered for the Bronze Arts Award (a national level 1 qualification).

Media literacy is a very important part of our curriculum and is taught as discrete lessons during PSHE days and during special events such as during our partnership with The Guardian Foundation. A progressive series of assemblies provide up to date material to support media literacy and students in Year 9 and 10 have the opportunity to become trained Media Literacy Ambassadors to support their peers in navigating misinformation.


Boy playing guitar
High school drama class in Wrexham
Music recording studio

What qualifications are available in this AOLE?

  • GCSE Art and Design
  • GCSE Drama – offers pupils the opportunity to explore theatre both practically and analytically. They can take the role of performer or designer.
  • GCSE Media Studies - offers pupils the opportunity to engage analytically with a range of media, creating and evaluating their own media products.
  • GCSE Music – Pupils develop their Performing, Composing and Appraising skills in a course which covers a wide range of musical styles from classical music to film and music theatre to rock and pop.
  • A Level Art and Design - offers pupils the opportunity to study in the medium of fine art, textiles, photography, graphics, and 3D. Nationally pupils achieve some of the best results in the UK.
  • A Level Media Studies - a challenging and exciting mix of theoretical and analytical approaches to the media products which dominate the world around us, and creative media production. Study in this area enhances analytical skills, media literacy, academic writing, creativity, and business skills.
  • A Level Music - offers an opportunity for pupils to extend their knowledge of Performing, Composing and Appraising, through the study of a broad range of genres. Study of music at this level also develops analytical skills, critical thinking and fosters a deeper level of independent working.

Extra-curricular opportunities available

In Art we offer an Extra-curricular weekly activity to support and develop the skills in our MAT pupils. This helps enhance their artist potential to achieve a high skill level if they choose to take GCSE art.

An annual Art show celebrates the work of pupils at a high-profile event.

Media students have the opportunity to create content for our social media as well as support younger pupils with media literacy. They take part in podcasts and film clubs. We have excellent links with external media organisations and our pupils often take advantage of work experience locally.

There are a number of lunchtime activities in Music, currently Percussion Ensemble, Rock Band, Show Choir and Orchestra. Each group rehearses once a week and performs in annual concerts. These groups change from time to time to cater for different needs and interests of the pupils.

There are two weekly Drama groups, one for year 7&8, the other for year 9 and above, giving pupils the opportunity to explore a variety of performance and other Drama skills.

Music and Drama come together for our annual production of a musical. Pupils have the opportunity to be part of the cast, stage crew or technical crew gaining a wide range of experiences.

Older pupils, years 9 and above, have the opportunity to become Music and Drama mentors helping run different groups and ensembles by supporting new members and assisting with coaching.