The Creative and Design Community encompasses Art, Dance, Drama, Graphic Design, Music, Resistant Materials and Textiles. It encourages students to experiment, refine and perform without fear of failure. It fosters imagination, ingenuity and flair.

It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life

Miss J Chambers - Assistant Director of Creative and Design Community

Miss Chambers is a talented artist having studied Fine and Applied Art at the University of Ulster. She is another long serving member of team CCHS having taught Art here for 15 years.

e-mail address: j.chambers@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Mr C Stormont - Director of the Creative and Design Community.

Mr Stormont studied Music at Sussex University, where he completed a BA (hons) degree. He then went on to undertake Postgraduate study at the Royal College of Music in London where he was awarded an Associate Diploma in Performance whilst simultaneously completing both Associate and Fellowship Diplomas from the Royal College of Organists in a single year. Subsequently, he spent a few years working at both York Minster and Birmingham Cathedral before enrolling in the University of Central England's PGCE course. On completing his PGCE, Mr Stormont gained his first teaching post at CCHS as a Music teacher and is now in his 18th year here (almost as long as Mr Turnbull). He enjoys writing music when the opportunity arises and also likes to keep active, playing hockey for Stone during the hockey season.

e-mail address: c.stormont@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs L. Barlow - Assistant Director of Creative and Design Community Mrs Barlow (nee Turner) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BSc(Hons). She then studied for a Masters in Product Design at University of Teesside earning a MSc. After completing a PGCE at Manchester Metropolitan she began her teaching career. Mrs Barlow is currently in her 8^th year of teaching Resistant Materials at Cannock Chase High School. She is also passionate about dancing and has competed in Ballroom and Latin dance competitions in Blackpool.

e-mail address: l.turner@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Brief description of the persons teaching specialism and TLR responsibilities

e-mail address: c.benbow@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Brief description of the persons teaching specialism and TLR responsibilities

e-mail address: n.hall@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs P. Durber – Teacher of Graphics Mrs Durber studied for a degree in Design at Staffordshire University before going on to complete a one year PGCE course in Design and Technology at Stafforshire University. Mrs Durber is an experienced teacher, having taught Graphics at Cannock Chase High School for 8 years.

e-mail address: p.durber@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Mr. D. Reynolds - Assistant Headteacher (Post 16) and Teacher of Drama.

Mr Reynolds studied for his undergraduate degree in Drama at Staffordshire University. He went on to complete a Postgraduate Teacher Training course through the Graduate Training Programme with Newman University. Mr Reynolds has previously been the Head of Drama here at Cannock Chase High School and is now Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Post 16.

e-mail address: d.reynolds@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs H. Billings – Teacher of Drama Mrs Billings completed her degree in Drama, Performance and Theatre Arts at Staffordshire University, graduating in 2008.  She then completed a Graduate Teacher Training qualification with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and has now been teaching for 6 years.  She is extremely passionate about Drama and fundamentally believes that Drama and the Arts are a vital component in the development of happy, healthy and expressive students who can communicate their ideas with confidence and creative flair.

e-mail address: h.billings@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Miss R. Eaton – Teacher of Dance and Drama Miss Eaton completed her degree in Dance and Education Studies at Liverpool Hope University, graduating in 2009.  She began working at Cannock Chase High School as a House Manager and has now been teaching in the classroom for a year.  She has performed on the West End Stage at the Her Majesty’s Theatre and has delivered a number of workshops around the country. Dance is currently being established as part of the Creative Community and she is looking forward to helping pupils develop in this art form.

e-mail address: r.eaton@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Miss C. Winch – Lead Teacher of Performance

Miss Winch studied keyboard at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating in 2010 with a BMus(Hons). She taught Music, Dance and Drama for 2 years in a specialist Performing Arts school in the Cayman Islands before returning to the UK to complete a PGCE in secondary teaching at Birmingham City University. This will be her third year of teaching and my second year at CCHS. As well as enjoying the Arts, Miss Winch also enjoys sports and plays the position of ‘Goal Keeper’ for Sutton United netball team.

e-mail address: c.winch@cannockchase-high.staffs.sch.uk

Introduction to the subject:

Music is a subject at the heart of the Creative and Design Community. It offers students a range of performing opportunities from performing in assemblies to performing at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock. There are two permanent members of staff in the music department as well as a number of peripatetic teachers who offer lessons in woodwind, strings, brass, keyboard, guitar and drums.

Students are encouraged to join the school musical ensembles which include orchestra, junior choir and senior choir.

KS3 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc)

In KS3 students enjoy one hour of Music a week in which they learn how to perform, compose and appraise through a variety of topics. These topics include Reggae, March, Calypso, Music Technology and even Pitch Perfect!

Throughout their time in KS3, students will have the opportunity to use a range of classroom instruments including keyboards, guitars and percussion as well as music technology such as Garage Band and Dance eJay. 

Gifted and Talented students are encouraged to participate in school ensembles such as orchestra, young voices or form their own ensembles.

The Music department offers students plenty of opportunities to perform their work, both in a classroom context and at special events such as the KS3 showcase evening.

KS4 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc as well as GCSE exam board and course information

At KS4, students study the OCR exam board for GCSE. The course is quite heavily coursework based, so students spend a lot of time developing their performance and composition skills during the three years of study.

All students who opt for GCSE Music will have a main instrument of study which can be a traditional instrument such as violin or piano or a more contemporary instrument such as drumming, rapping or even beatboxing!

Students are allocated three hours of Music lessons per week on their timetable but are encouraged to spend at least and extra one hour per week practising on their instrument, either during lunchtime or after school, or at home.

In KS4, Music students are taken on a trip to Symphony Hall in Birmingham to experience a professional orchestra performing a mixture of classical and contemporary music.

KS5 Overview (information about how many lessons a week, topics covered, trips, facilities, equipment etc as well as GCE exam board and course information

In the sixth form, students work towards an Edexcel BTEC National Level 3 in Music. In year 12 the 90 credits they complete will award the Certificate in Music Performance, and in year 13 the students have the opportunity to top this up by completing another 90 credits to attain a Subsidiary Diploma in Music Performance.

Sixth form students are allocated five hours per week of Music on their timetable but are free to use the practise rooms in Music block for personal practise at any time during the school day.

Students are encouraged to join, lead or set up their own musical ensembles in KS5. As part of their BTEC course, students in year 12 have to organise and perform at their own gig. In year 13, students have to perform a 30 minute recital of music on their chosen instrument to an audience. The festival ‘Chaserocks’ held annually in June by the Creative and Design Community at CCHS provides students with another opportunity to showcase their performance skills.

Links for learning:

http://www.musictheoryonline.co.uk/sample-pages

Music theory guidance for students and parents

http://www.makingmusicfun.net/

Music theory worksheets, and easy keyboard sheet music for KS3 students

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zmsvr82 (Ks3)

BBC bitesize revision for KS3 students

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zpf3cdm (Ks4)

BBC bitesize revision for GCSE students