The Prep School’s excellent reputation in the Performing Arts is linked to its strong musical tradition. Drama and Dance maintains a strong relationship with the music department and is taught throughout the school.

Pre School

Whilst in the Pre School, children receive Drama lessons once a week. Here the children are taught to interact with each other and speak confidently in front of the class. Classes include; basic rhymes, action games and circle time. Creative movement is also taught to help enhance imagination.

Reception

In Reception pupils are taught a mixture of dance and drama. They will start to develop confidence through teacher lead activities focusing on developing characters and dance actions along with working with others and performing to the class.

In Reception  pupils are able to sign up for Ballet lessons once a week, starting with basic ballet steps and then following The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance syllabus.

Pre Prep (Year 1-2)

When the pupils enter Year 1 they begin to follow a drama curriculum including drama games, poetry and structured improvisation. Alongside the Drama lessons they continue working on developing their Dance skills; actions, dynamics, space and relationships. Pupils are able to sign up for a range of Drama and Dance clubs. Exams in Modern Dance may be taken at the end of the academic year.

Prep

In Years 3,4,5 and 6 Drama lessons will include; Poetry reading, improvisations, script work, creative movement and Physical Theatre. In dance lessons pupils continue to develop and refine the main dance principles: actions; dynamics; space and relationships. In Year 4 and 5 the pupils have the opportunity to take part in a small musical production performed to parents during the Spring Term. At the end of the Summer Term all pupils in Year 6 appear in a full scale musical. Pupils are able to sign up for a range of Drama and Dance clubs. Exams in Modern Dance may be taken at the end of the academic year.

To read about the Year 6 production of 'Olivia!' of June 2021, please click on the following article.

Private Speech and Drama

When the pupils enter Year 3 they are given the opportunity to start Private Speech and Drama lessons. Here they are prepared for New Era Drama Exams. New Era Drama Exams are taken at the end of the Summer Term with the standard being very high. Our recent results were as follows: 28 Distinctions and 14 Merits. In year 3, 4 and 5 pupils will be entered in Verse and Prose and in Year 6 they are given the option to take an Acting exam.

Dance Clubs

Dance Clubs are taught after school for Year 3 upwards where pupils can carry on with the ISTD Modern Dance and Tap syllabus.