PERFORMING ARTS
Pupils have a unique and vast array of opportunities within Performing Arts, an exciting department of our school that allows our pupils to develop their confidence, social skills and explore their passions from a young age. Each pupil is able to grow on a personal level, developing their self esteem through collaboration with their peers, whilst honing their performance skills.
Performance opportunities are frequent throughout each term at occasions such as: assemblies, class concerts, termly concerts, house singing competitions, school productions, and opportunities to sing in the community. Pupils are encouraged to celebrate their peers' accomplishments and this attitude is an important part of our community.
Across the Performing Arts department there are over 15 clubs all run by subject specialists. We have school choirs and drama clubs at every key stage, as well as a string orchestra and rock band. Membership of the Junior & Senior school choirs is extremely popular, with presently over 100 children taking part. Membership of our Chamber Choir is by invitation only.
MUSIC
Weekly music lessons focus on the three main areas of learning - Performance, Composition and Listening. This includes the fundamentals of rhythm and pitch, the elements of music and musical notation.
Alongside singing, the performance element is further enhanced by the teaching of untuned percussion instruments to EYFS, tuned percussion to Year 1, recorder in Year 2, violin in Year 3 and trumpet in Year 4. In Years 2, 3 and 4 every child is equipped with an instrument to practise on for the duration of the academic year.
In Year 6 pupils begin to work on keyboards to introduce song writing. Years 7&8 pupils are introduced to Music Technology, where pupils compose songs and film scores whilst also exploring classical music and focusing on its four eras; Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern. In their final two years our pupils have a brilliant insight into GCSE music for those that might want to take that option in their Senior Schools.
We are a singing school and weekly Junior and Senior assemblies begin with 20 minutes of singing which contributes to our wonderful sense of community.
DRAMA
Drama lessons develop pupils' speech and drama skills, as well as raise their confidence and self-esteem. There is a real focus on developing their transferable skills, ensuring pupils make the connection between what they learn in class and how this relates to their lives beyond Terra Nova.
In the senior school pupils cover everything from Shakespeare to Devising, Stage Management to Radio Plays. The curriculum not only develops their performance and public speaking skills, but it also prepares pupils for GCSE and A-level Drama should they wish to pursue this at their next school.
In Early Years through to Year 2 Drama is taught alongside Music and their lessons focus on projection, characterisation and performing to your audience and include their Nativity production.
From Year 3, drama is taught to larger groups, focusing on their ability to work collaboratively to create a group performance. Every year we hold productions put on by Years 3&4, Years 5&6 and Years 7&8.
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC & DRAMA TUITION
Pupils also have the option to have individual music lessons with one of our Visiting Music Teachers or speech and drama lessons with our LAMDA Specialist Teacher. Over half the school takes individual performing arts lessons delivered by specialist teachers covering a variety of musical instruments or drama. We would recommend all children learn a musical instrument to enhance their all round learning. It has been proven it helps improve brain function, memory and abstract reasoning alongside developing confidence, relieving stress, improving patience and resilience. It’s fun too!
We offer individual music and drama tuition for : Piano, Singing, Violin, Viola, Cello, Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Tenor Horn, Drums, Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar and LAMDA.
Pupils are successful in individual external music examinations. Drama is an important part of school life with many pupils enjoying success in speech and drama exams and in school plays.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE, JUNE 2022