Autumn Term Report: The Arts

The Creative Arts supports all pupils to develop their skills in drama, dance, art and music. The Arts are taught both as a separate subject, and used as a teaching method in other subjects areas. The curriculum ensures that pupils have access to a broad and diverse culture.

We believe that the Arts are essential for promoting positive emotional and physical well-being. Learning through drama, dance, art and music supports pupils to make meaningful links to real life experiences, form strong memories, develop a sense of self and allows them to experiment with being creative and independent within a safe space.

The art foci this term are:

Step into Dance
The KS4 drama production this year will be Aladdin.
KS3 SOW has been designed with a long-term vision. Drama is being approached as a 5-year learning journey rather than a focus only in KS4, ensuring skills are continuously developed throughout their education. 2023-2024 was the 1st year for a successful cycle- pupils focused on The Twits, Wizard of Oz and A gift from AmmaIndian Market. Pupils developed skills in understanding characters, props and performance.
Open Orchestra project : Weekly sessions with support from Kurt Mayling (trumpet player) for Kusama and Dali
Weekly workshops with Live Music Now Inspire project for lower Orange and Yellow pathway
A number of Upper and Lower school pupils attend a weekly choir session.
Pupils at Lower and Upper have individual/paired piano lessons
Some pupils from Tiger class will be working on a creative song writing project with Artburst/Wimbledon Museum
EYFS and KS1 and 2 Nativity - Plans for the lower school nativities are underway. Helen, our specialist music teacher is currently looking at and choosing a script ready for rehearsals to start in November. Parents will be invited in to watch their pupils perform with EYFS taking place on 2nd December and KS1 and 2 on 9th December.
Upper School winter concerts will be taking place for KS3 on Wed 11th Dec and KS4/Sixth form on Thurs 12th Dec Families will be invited and the concerts will involve each class performing a song or instrumental piece in turn to showcase their musical talents.