Mr Mahmet began his visit by observing Juilliard Creative Classroom lessons being taught to classes of all three year groups, followed later in the day by a detailed and personalised opportunity for in-depth discussion and feedback session with each teacher.
Curriculum mapping and assessment was a particular focus during Mr Mahmet’s visit: the development of the Juilliard Creative Classroom Curriculum at TBS is something that our teachers wholly embrace. The curriculum encompasses a series of core works which together with their specific performance, hold a position of great artistic significance within dramatic art. The core works all offer rich material to investigate and a variety of teachable moments for classroom exploration. As the classroom is infused with professional works of drama, students can stretch their imagination, evoke multiple interpretations and expand their own ideas of what is possible in the world, encouraging creativity and discovery.
The cast and creatives of our school production, “Grease”, were delighted to have Mr Mahmat join them after school. With a background in scenic design, Mr. Mahmet was visibly impressed by the variety of props under construction by the students of the prop club and shared insightful guidance with our dedicated team of prop makers, from the detailing of the hamburgers to the colour scheme of the car and juke box.
Mr Mahmet then joined the boys in the cast to rehearse scene 2, encouraging them to incorporate more “swagger’ and “attitude” within their characterisations!
Following a parent presentation on day two of Mr. Mahmet’s visit and further curriculum mapping, all Performing Arts teachers were invited to observe Mr Mahmet teaching students from year 8 and 9. This provided a fantastic opportunity not only to appreciate and reflect on Mr Mahmet’s methodology, but also to watch the students that we teach interact and respond with dramatic intent to a different teacher’s instructions.
We look forward to continuing our development in Performing Arts at TBS with all three of our Juilliard Curriculum Specialists this academic year and beyond.
On the 16th and 17th February 2023 we will welcome Ms Amy Christman into school to work with teachers and students in the Music Department and Ms Donna Costello to collaborate with Dance later in the Spring term.
Miss Jo Turner
Director of Music and Performing Arts
