The Arts
The Arts are crucial to students’ personal development, and a large proportion of our sixth form students participate in the Arts.
"Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought." – Albert Einstein
High School students experience Music, Art and Drama in curriculum lessons at KS3, which enables them to try everything and discover their passions. They eventually have the opportunity to study the Arts at GCSE or A Level if they wish to. Alongside lessons all students are encouraged to pursue their musical, dramatic and artistic interests before school, during lunchtimes and after school, through our extensive co-curricular programme.
Many of our students participate in enrichment activities alongside their academic studies and appreciate the opportunities they have.
“Being in the musical productions and singing with the Big Band has given me so much personal confidence: The Arts have really helped me develop as a person.” – Ria Johnson, Y13 student
A significant number of students learn an instrument with one of our visiting music teachers (VMTs); the school offers individual lessons on strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, vocals and piano. The department runs the very popular Teatime Concert series, which enable every student to perform as a soloist in front of a friendly audience; these concerts take place in the Recital Hall in the Music School.
Large numbers of sixth form students join our ensembles and perform in the large-scale concerts that are held throughout the year, at venues such as the Albert Hall and St. Mary’s Church. We currently run 33 ensembles every week and the most popular groups for sixth form students are Orchestra, Concert Band, Big Band, Chamber Choir and Upper School Pop Choir. There are also Rock Bands and Chamber Ensembles, and students are encouraged to create and lead their own groups too.
“Music ensembles are well attended and they help to showcase the school; I enjoy singing with the many choirs because of the collaboration with other students and having an end goal to work towards.” – Otto Wylie, Y12 student
Our purpose-built facilities give students a wealth of opportunities to explore new experiences and develop their skills in a supportive environment.
The Music Department is a busy hub at the heart of the cultural life of the school. Housed in the Lady Carol Djanogly Music School at the front of the site, we are fortunate in having excellent facilities which include a Recital Hall, three academic classrooms, a recording studio and a large number of individual music practice rooms. Our Art Department consists of 3 fully equipped Art rooms, a gallery space and a designated Sixth Form Art studio. We have extensive facilities including a purpose-built print area, ceramic studio and digital art facilities too. Students interested in Drama will spend lots of time in our fully-equipped drama studio. We are also lucky enough to have a 240-seat proscenium arch theatre in our Founder Hall, allowing our thespians to tread the boards and our stagehands to help with set design, sound and lighting.
Click here to find out more information with our booklet.
There is something for everyone to explore and enjoy within the Arts.
“A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a much more interesting life” – Elizabeth Gilbert, Author
Many sixth formers participate in drama productions, either on stage or behind the scenes. Students may be interested in being part of the production team or helping to paint the set. A Level Drama students help to direct the Year 9 & 10 production, and they play an important role in supporting the Lower School productions.
Students contribute their artistic skills to the annual art department mural, and there are regular Art clubs too. With excellent printing and clay facilities, SLR cameras and an IT suite with Photoshop and graphics tablets, there is something for every budding artist. We offer encouragement to all students in exploring the Arts and finding a creative outlet for each individual.
