Vocational
Expert tutors, many with industry experience, encourage and support pupils to realise their full potential in Dance, Drama and Music. Pupils develop their individual talent, gain essential team-working skills through ensemble work, and emerge as self-assured and poised performers.
Dance
Drama
Music
Visual Arts
Our Dance tutors combine teaching expertise with extensive performance experience. This combination ensures that pupils not only master the techniques of their chosen art form, but also are encouraged to develop their versatility and individuality.
Classical Ballet sits at the heart of our Dance course, enhanced by classes in Modern, Tap, Contemporary and Choreography in Years 7 and 8. GCSE Dance is introduced in Year 9, and in Year 10 the course is expanded to include Jazz.
Pupils take Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) examinations. In addition to acquiring the skills required for each dance form, they are encouraged to develop their analytical skills and to use dance terminology with confidence.
Every year there are opportunities to perform in large-scale productions, including our annual Dance Show, the Evening of Dance, and the Choreographic Platform.
Regular theatre visits inspire pupils’ performances, encouraging them to see their training within the context of the professional dance world.
Our Drama course is both creatively fulfilling and intellectually demanding. Pupils develop their individual performance skills alongside invaluable literacy and communication skills. At the same time, they broaden their knowledge of culture and society, and their understanding of successful teamwork.
In Year 9, pupils start working towards their GCSE, building on the many disciplines developed in Years 7 and 8. They experiment with physical and expressionistic theatre, stylised and abstract work, naturalism, comedy, musical theatre, and text and off-text work, as well as devise and create their own pieces. There is a significant amount of written work, which is well balanced by the practical elements.
There are numerous opportunities for pupils to perform, including our own Pupils Showcase and the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Drama Festival.
All our pupils engage in a wide variety of musical activities that enrich their creativity. Our highly experienced teachers develop each pupil’s passion for music, nurturing talent and fostering individuality.
Pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of musical styles, while regular workshops and performance opportunities inspire them to develop their technique and extend their repertoire. Music theory lessons provide a solid foundation that allows composition skills to flourish. Singing, percussion and keyboards are all used alongside digital technology, including Apple Macs with full access to Logic Pro X and Sibelius.
Additional vocal and instrumental tuition is provided by our pool of talented professional musicians who delight in sharing their passion for music. Pupils benefit hugely from the opportunity to work on a 1-2-1 basis, and these weekly lessons are highly subscribed.
All pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 sing as part of a choir, as do pupils who choose to study GCSE Music. Performances from the choirs are a highlight of our annual Music Concert. Other performance opportunities include the acoustic Live Lounge in the summer term.
Our Visual Arts Department encourages experimentation, inventiveness and ambition. Pupils explore a broad range of approaches and working practices, and are encouraged to be creatively bold. In Years 7 and 8, pupils enjoy an art lesson every week, equipping them with knowledge and enthusiasm to choose a specialism for GCSE from our offer of Art & Design, Photography or Film Studies.
- Art & Design
Drawing, painting and printmaking form the foundation of the Art & Design GCSE. Pupils are challenged to consider the inspiration and context behind their own work whilst developing their creative practice. - Photography
During their GCSE studies, pupils respond to a set theme, exploring portraiture and landscape work, and developing their knowledge of composition alongside their technical skills. - Film Studies
GCSE Film Studies offers a thorough grounding in the theory of film, as well as giving pupils the opportunity to showcase a variety of skills in the production of their own short films. Pupils enjoy exploring a diverse range of critically acclaimed films on a course that is creative, practical and inspiring.
“Employers are looking for good people skills, their ability to work as a team and to present themselves confidently. This is why arts subjects are so important in later life – they give children the skills they need to succeed later on.”
– Parent
