Curriculum

Glendale Theatre Arts School offers training in Dance, Singing and Drama.  The Glendale curriculum includes all of the required training for examinations in these disciplines.

Please note that Classes in the listed skills may not be available for every age group, or may be offered by invitation only.

Click on an aspect of the syllabus:

Dance

Glendale Theatre Arts School prepares pupils for I.S.T.D (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) examinations.  Lessons are available in the following techniques: Ballet, Modern, Tap, Greek, Jazz, Body Conditioning, Pointe Work and Street Jazz.

The ‘A’ Level dance course follows the Aqa syllabus from the Northern Examining Board.

Singing

 Lessons in singing technique are an invaluable part of the all round performers training.  Group lessons, shared classes or one on one coaching are available.  Glendale Theatre Arts School can offer it’s pupils Trinity or Associated Board singing examinations.  This will depend on the individuals level of technique and personal style as he/she may be better suited to a particular type of examination.

Drama

An essential part of the performers training, drama increases confidence in reading, public speaking, conversation as well as improving the over all performance.  Again, group and private lessons are offered.  The examining body for drama is New Era.

Boys Training

The training of the male performer is another investment in the future of the Arts which Glendale takes a major role in.  Today’s male performer must be multi-talented; with sports-man like strength and stamina.  
It is a fact that boys are less co-ordinated than their female counterparts at an early age.  For this reason, classes at the school focus on balance, in much the same way as a martial Art might be taught.  The self-awareness and discipline that this creates has an enormous impact on a pupil’s self-control and confidence outside the studio.  Classes are integrated (encouraging mutual respect and inter-personal skills) as well as ‘Boyzonly’ classes, where up to the minute dance styles are taught with great energy and attack, creating a thrilling performer.
With classes specifically targeted to enhance muscle control, strength and stamina, it is not unusual for boys trained at Glendale to be kept very busy, captaining every school side!

Junior School

 As the individual develops, class work in dance becomes more stretching and challenging.  I.S.T.D (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) examinations may be taken in the basic curriculum of Ballet, Tap and Modern, as and when each child is fully prepared.*  Individuals may be invited to take part in other disciplines such as Jazz and Greek.  At this age, Singing and Drama are taught as separate subjects and are greatly encouraged as an invaluable investment in the creation of the all round performer.
The aim at this level is to develop a sound basic technique and the intellectual application required in each discipline takes a step up.  Classes are fun and the emphasis remains on individual skills and forte’s thus developing confidence, personal and social skills in a relaxed yet disciplined environment.
* It is not necessary for every pupil to take examinations.  Grade classes in any discipline which appear on the timetable are classes which include work of that level; they are not purely preparation for that examination.  This would limit a pupil’s solid knowledge of the techniques involved, and allow for very little personal growth within the subject.

Senior School/Majors

With the fundamental techniques well established, students move on to far more3 demanding and exciting work.  Classes in the key disciplines continue as well as the opportunity to learn up to the minute, commercial dance styles such as street jazz.  The full potential of each pupil is realized as all skills combine to build an accomplished and experienced performer.
At post sixteen, the school offers the opportunity to mix practical dance skills with academic knowledge of the art form.  Our prestigious A Level Dance course is open to all and the qualification it provides is yet another string to any students bow, enabling them to pursue the many options ahead of them.

Glendale is very proud that the systems detailed above help many students progress on to the next level

ONWARDS & UPWARDS