Performing builds confidence and from the earliest Nativity plays to the impressive standard achieved by our Year 8 children, we encourage children here to ‘have a go’. Opportunities for Drama exist for everyone and range from timetabled drama lessons to full-scale performances, from small-scale group-work to visiting Theatre Workshop sessions. We believe Drama is a vital addition to the school experience, giving pupils the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and imaginative thinking, speaking and listening.  This is reflected in a strong Drama curriculum, be it as a regular timetabled lesson or as a teaching technique.

Every year group performs to parents at least once each year and has the opportunity to experience the unique combination of feelings which come from working together in this way: excitement, nerves and camaraderie. At Pre-Prep level, Nativity plays and a summer concert get children used to being on stage and this is built on as they move up through the Prep school. A Senior production is performed in the Spring Term and recent productions have included ‘Oliver!’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ as well as challenging non-musical plays such as ‘The Ratz’, ( based on ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’).  A special feature of the Spring Term, too are Prep school and Pre-Prep ‘Celebrations of Poetry which give every pupil the chance to perform a poem.

 

Productions take place in the ‘Old Gym’ which has developed into an increasingly advanced performance space, with a fixed and an adaptable stage as well as a good range of lighting and sound equipment. As a rehearsal space, it is rarely empty, and most importantly there is plenty of space for the audience!