Performing Arts
To enrich the learning done in lessons, the children all have the opportunity to get more involved in the Performing Arts at other times in the day. Whether it be performing in the choir, shining in a Musical Theatre concert, playing the drums in the school band or at one of the many plays put on throughout the year, our children embrace the opportunity to excel and support their peers in this creative field.
Drama
In addition to weekly timetabled lessons for Drama for all pupils from Nursery upwards, Drama Club sessions are available to all students, providing a forum for improvisation, characterisation and a chance to share a love of the subject with their peers in different year groups. All children work towards a performance every year so that they can demonstrate their growing skills on the stage, with the Year 8 Leavers’ Play a highlight of the school calendar. Pupils also enjoy being part of the backstage and technical teams for these events, making it a real team effort. Another exciting annual event is House Drama, and it is a joy to see the older and younger children working together creatively and with a real sense of fun too.
Music
A large number of children take part in our extra-curricular groups, which include Junior Choir, Senior Choir, the All Stars rock band and The Instrumentals. There are several performance opportunities throughout the year including two concerts each term, Musical Theatre concerts, the Carol Service and the very popular Jazz and Swing Evening. A highlight of the year is our summer music event, ‘ElmsFest’, where we have a range of performances including our music groups, soloists, Alumni and a professional performance from organisations such as English Touring Opera, who also led an inspirational and extremely creative song-writing workshop with the children. Music filters into all areas of school life and is an integral part of The Elms Journey.
Musical Theatre
Students have the opportunity to take private Musical Theatre lessons with our charismatic and highly popular tutors. Superb evening performances take place bi-termly and students are successfully coached for examination grades often well over their expected levels of achievement for their age due to the commitment and skill of our staff. It is wonderful to see how pupils’ confidence and passion grows over the terms and years, and they champion and support each other fantastically.
‘I was blown away at the first Musical Theatre concert that I attended. The standard of musicianship and performance was extraordinary but what my wife and I were most inspired by was the support from the other children and the way in which they wanted their friends and peers to do well.’
