Drama, whether through creative play or in the formal capacity of performance, can provide excellent stimulation for a child’s social, moral and cultural development.

Our approach is to encourage every child to experience the expressive and inventive nature of drama. We enable children to gain and build their self-confidence through performance and hope that the rehearsal process will provide a fun environment in which to learn co-operation, self-discipline and to develop public speaking.

Performance

Aside from timetabled drama lessons with their form teacher, every pupil in the Junior Department is given the chance to perform in the newly refurbished Performing Arts Centre. Our Junior production takes place during the Spring Term. Children in year 4 are given the opportunity to audition for key roles and start rehearsals in the Winter Term. Productions have included Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat (2008), Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (2007), and adaptations of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2006) and Jack and the Beanstalk (2005).

Trips and Workshops

We offer the children many opportunities to watch professional theatre companies at work. This includes trips to local theatres such as Richmond, Guildford and the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. We also host visiting companies who perform and lead workshops which are often linked to studies in other curriculum areas for example Greek Myths, Fables and a visits from children’s comedians such as James Campbell.