Creativity
Drama, art and music are important curriculum subjects for all children. Our pupils have the chance to perform through drama, music and dance. Creative departments help our children to develop skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in other subject areas. These include listening skills, the ability to concentrate and they also help to develop their creativity and sensitivity towards others.
From Pre-Prep, all pupils are encouraged to act, sing, dance and perform before an audience with confidence. A programme of cultural visits are also organised for Pre-Prep pupils throughout the year to enable them to experience drama, theatre and gallery exhibitions in real-life situations.
Drama
The Centenaries Theatre is equipped with a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system which enables us to present a wide range of drama and music. At the heart of our Drama and Performing Arts programme, here, every pupil in the school is encouraged to be involved in our wide offering of musical concerts and drama productions to develop their individual creative talents. We are proud of our very extensive and highly successful LAMDA programme and some of our most recent performances include: Maleficent, Jungle Book, Peter Pan and the annual Christmas Nativity play, where younger pupils perform alongside professional musicians.
Music
Pupils in Pre-Prep have a one-hour lesson of music per week; from PP2 this is in the music classroom with Mr Atherton, our specialist Prep School Music Teacher. By engaging in making and responding to music, children develop their understanding and appreciation of a wide range of different types of music. Pupils have access to a huge variety of instruments, and learn about music and how it is written down and are supported to write their own music and score it, either traditionally on manuscript paper, or using software on the computers.
Pre-Prep pupils also have access to individual instrument lessons with our visiting Music Teachers, in singing, piano, all orchestral instruments, guitar and percussion. Tuition can be arranged through Mr Andrew Henderson, Stonyhurst's Director of Music.
See the Centenaries Theatre for yourself
Explore Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Art
Art lessons are the starting place for children to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of art; working with paint, clay, and textiles.
The subject is an exciting and dynamic environment with creative endeavours which are constantly evolving. Pupils thrive on exploring creativity through risk taking, allowing them to take ownership of their outcomes. Pre-Prep pupils are supported through the exciting challenges art can offer and produce many types of creations, which can be taken home to family members at the end of each day.
Our approach to the Creative Arts is simple: to offer opportunities to all our pupils across the artistic spectrum
and to help them develop and nurture that talent as part of their overall education as a rounded person.John Browne, Head of Stonyhurst