Performing Arts
Performing Arts are all about self-expression, exploring alternative options and embracing individuality. Used regularly as part of school life, Performing Arts can really help to strengthen the school community. Students develop a sense of individuality, perform well and as such are happier within themselves in the school environment.
Here at Stoke Park School, Drama and Music work seamlessly together to create a wide range of enrichment opportunities for students of all ages. We offer many opportunities outside the classroom for all students to take full advantage of and engage with. The Performing Arts play a hugely significant role in helping students to develop their creative skills. Educational theorists are increasingly emphasising the importance of “emotional intelligence”, “developing a creative mind” and “fostering personalities and imaginations” as students make their journey through school, to become happy and well-rounded individuals.
We currently offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities across the performing arts such as tuition in Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Vocals. Our Performing arts extra and super-curricular opportunities run alongside the curriculum, consisting of a range of groups such as choir, rock band, Modulo orchestra group, music technology group and music club. There is also a weekly KS3 drama club for students who want to further develop on what they have learnt in lesson as well as develop their employment skills and make friends across the year groups. Alongside this we also put on an annual whole school production which caters for Years 7 – 13. This creates a great sense of community within our students as they all work together in a professional capacity to create what is always an outstanding quality production. Students from all stages have a range of opportunities to perform or get involved in performing arts related activities, including regular concerts, showcases, talent shows, celebration assemblies, workshops, trips and our whole-school annual musicals. Students can also gain skills and participate in other areas, such as live sound engineering, lighting operation and events management. This instils a love for performing arts in our students from the beginning of their journey at Stoke Park as our students are at the centre of everything we do.
We have excellent links with our wider community and professional partnerships in the city and beyond and participate in several programs to offer a wide range of professional experiences for workshops, visits and opportunities to perform in world-class venues. We regularly work with universities, music conservatories and local theatre companies to ensure our students aspire to and work towards higher education and beyond. We run a range of trips to see live theatre, concerts and musicals as well as inviting practitioners into the school to run workshops with a range of students. Over the last few years we have worked closely with Frantic Assembly, Armonico Consort, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, BIMM, Highly Sprung and Pilot Theatre Company, with our students participating in customised workshops.
We have been recognised as a school that offers high-quality music provision gaining ‘Music Mark’ status from the local music hub. We are also an Arts Mark recognised school which recognises our commitment to offering our students a high-quality student experience in the arts and beyond.
There is a flourishing student leadership program at Stoke Park, We have a range of student ambassadors who represent different areas of the school from across all key stages. There is an opportunity for students to represent Performing arts at this level and promote the subjects and support in their development.
We pride ourselves on our inclusive, inspiring and encouraging ethos where all students can be successful and realise their full potential. Performing Arts is not about right or wrong answers, and this is what allows children to develop self-confidence and belief in themselves. With improved self-confidence and self-belief, comes a natural pathway for our students to go on to master many more skills that will equip them for life. We believe that our commitment and enthusiasm is the key to providing an enjoyable and rewarding performing Arts experience of high quality learning and engagement for all our students and allows them to have opportunities and experiences which will last a lifetime.