Performing arts
This page is designed to give you just a flavour of the hugely exciting part of the life of the school which comes under the umbrella of the performing arts - music, drama and dance.
Drama
Drama is an integral part of the curriculum at Great Walstead from the Pre-Prep upwards. It is formally timetabled from Years 3-8. The topics covered during this time include: Improvisation; working with scripts; the history of theatre; investigating character and mime; and mask. In addition, drama is available as an extra-curricular activity during the week, on Saturdays and during holidays. Lessons can also be booked on an individual basis.
The school play takes place annually in the autumn term and is open to all pupils from Years 5-8. In addition there are performing arts showcase evenings to celebrate the arts for all years and an annual Arts Week takes place in the summer term.
The Pre-Prep puts on an annual performance in the summer term. This takes the form of a musical play or concert.
The Junior School puts on an annual concert in the spring term, usually themed and which includes drama in addition to the musical numbers.
Each year there is a public speaking competition in which pupils compete in teams of three learning to deliver their arguments within the given time constraints. In 2006 Great Walstead won the UK national final.
There are also regular examinations in speech and drama in the following subjects: speaking of verse and prose, acting, reading for performance, improvisation and public speaking. Great Walstead is a registered LAMDA examination centre. The majority of our pupils taking these exams are awarded a pass with merit or distinction.
GW scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and take place in January. These are awarded to very talented actors, many of whom go on to be awarded Drama scholarships to their senior schools.
Dance
We are continuing to extend our provision for dance for all children at Great Walstead as part of the PE curriculum. We have a dance programme for Years 1-4 that covers many different styles of dance. We are aiming to carry this programme forward to our more senior children.
All our children have enjoyed special sessions learning “street dance”, “Bollywood style” and working on numbers from Cats and West Side Story. Children and parents alike welcome the dance items that feature within our showcase concerts.
Modern dance and ballet are currently available as after school activities and dance workshops may be offered as part of our programme of holiday activities. Many children take individual ballet and dance exams and achieve outstanding results.
Music
Music lies at the very heart of life at Great Walstead School. Music is performed in class lessons, at the numerous concerts held in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre and in the various school productions staged throughout the year.
There are a wide variety of music activities available for all the children to be involved in, including those that have lessons outside of school. These range from 4 choirs ( Pre-Prep to Senior ) and 2 orchestras ( Junior and Senior ) to smaller ensembles: brass group, flute and recorder groups, saxophone and clarinet groups, string group and pop bands.
The following instruments are taught by our excellent visiting music staff: piano, guitar, flute, recorder saxophone, clarinet, brass, singing, drum kit, violin, cello and oboe. Each term pupils can be entered for ABRSM and Trinity/Guildhall examinations when the required level has been reached. We have had a good deal of success, with grade 8 having been reached by some pupils. A theory club also exists to prepare pupils that are ready to take grade 6 and beyond.
Individual pupils and music groups are invited to attend Senior School music workshops, perform at joint concerts with other Schools and prepared for competitions at both local and national level.
Music scholarships are available at Great Walstead for outstanding musicians and our pupils are prepared for scholarship auditions to their senior schools, with a good number of music scholarships and awards having being gained by our year eight pupils in recent years.
Mrs Juliet McKinnell-Merrett
Head of Drama