Drama
All pupils receive a weekly drama class as part of the curriculum, ranging from teacher-led presentations for the younger classes through to reading and performing Shakespeare for the older pupils. All students become very practised at learning poetry for assemblies, Harvest and Christmas festivals, honing their performance skills as they go.
School trips are often organised to see stage productions locally and in London.
Junior and Senior Drama Clubs are available as extra-curricular lessons, giving keen children a further opportunity to demonstrate their acting prowess.
All pupils from Year Two – Six have the opportunity to take lessons to prepare for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art examinations (LAMDA) in speech and drama subjects. These exams build confidence and give children a sense of the importance of the spoken word; making presentations and leading discussions are required for senior school, university and business.
Music
Music lessons are provided by a specialist performing arts teacher, and again are offered throughout the school as part of the standard curriculum. The children are taught singing, music appreciation, rhythm and percussion, all with an emphasis on learning through fun rather than being pressured to perform.
A vast range of music lessons are offered including piano, recorder, clarinet, guitar and violin, all with specialised tutors. One-to-one singing lessons are also available for those children who wish to develop their skills further.
The children have regular opportunities to perform, both vocally and instrumentally, at our assemblies and musical evenings, and the school also participates in both regional and national music festivals and choral events, most notably the Young Voices Concert at the O2 Arena!
Dance
Dance at St Anne’s is delivered in a variety of ways, such as inclusion in school assemblies and festivals, an extra-curricular Dance Club for children in Years Four – Six, and the annual summer production. There are also ad-hoc opportunities through external festivals and showcases which further challenge and extend the abilities of the children involved.
From 2021, we also hope to offer Dance/Performing Arts Days during the school half-terms and holidays.
Perhaps somewhat unusually, St Anne’s benefits from having an ‘in-house’ choreographer with extensive experience in teaching at both the Pre-Prep and Prep level.
Summer Production
The annual summer production brings the Drama, Music and Dance Departments together, and is a highlight of the school year -the ‘reveal’ of the choice of show is always greatly anticipated. The production involves every child in the Prep Department, with Year 6 undertaking the main speaking roles, and Years 3 – 5 the supporting cast.
Over the years, we’ve tackled a wide variety of well-known titles, adapting scripts, adding or subtracting characters and songs, so the show perfectly fits the talent and abilities of the students in that particular year – for example, in our version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we had a Charlotte Bucket and a Wilhelmina Wonka! Other productions include Bugsy Malone, The Sound of Music, Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Little House on the Prairie, Frozen and Lion King. Almost all costumes are provided by the school, as we now have an impressive selection that serves us well.
The performances, usually in the last week of our summer term, are given in the Eaton Theatre at New Hall School so our pupils can experience an enhanced performing environment.
