Date Posted: 02/09/2024Current News
Category / School News Posted on: 05/07/2024
Kingshott shortlisted for national award for Performing Arts!
We are all absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts. This prestigious award series is run annually, with hundreds of schools from across the country, and indeed the world, entering.
“I am delighted that our commitment to fostering creativity has been recognised with this nomination,” says Headmaster David Weston. “From our outstanding LAMDA results to our music concerts and drama productions, our students have shone brightly, showcasing their talents and passion for the arts.”
Kingshott has no doubt been shortlisted due to its inclusive and ambitious approach to performing arts. This year alone Kingshott launched:
- The Bronze Arts Award for our Year 8. This nationally recognised qualification encourages students to develop their creative and critical skills, set themselves challenges, research and explore the arts and share their interests and knowledge. Students have enjoying building their portfolio in music, drama or art over the last year.
- ‘The Big Sing’ - a day of singing workshops where Years 3 to 8 worked with professional musicians (in all styles: beatboxing, jazz, folk, classic). They benefited from singing advice as well as learning from diverse role models encouraging them to see themselves as future musicians.
These are ‘on top’ of all the amazing inclusive performing arts activities that are the foundation for fostering creativity at Kingshott. They include:
- ALL pupils (Years 4- 8) taking part in LAMDA Group examinations. Lessons are during curriculum time and texts performed are tied in with the children’s curriculum. This enables pupils to put the text ‘on its feet’ - performing it helps to bring the words to life, and to deepen their understanding. Pupils who are inspired to do more can choose to also take Solo, Duo or Combined performance examinations, progressing through to Grade 5 (GCSE equivalent). 100+ pupils have taken LAMDA this year, with 80 Distinctions and 25 merits awarded.
- Inclusive opportunities to perform – plays involve ALL children in Reception to Year 8. Our recent play, Matilda Jr, had two separate casts, each with two performances - enabling over 350 pupils to be involved. Our Heads of Drama (who has West End experience) and Music work together, alongside our Art department who have designed and made the set. Every child has made or decorated a large 3D letter, with Year 7 & 8 making large metal sculpted gates. (When we staged Oliver, each pupil made a bowl to perform with!)
- We also have a broad and varied musical programme (with 15+ performances per year) – from drums concerts to recorder ensembles.
- Our annual staff pantomime, in its 8th year, not only raises thousands for charity, but shows pupils that performing arts are for all. The 26 staff involved last year weren’t perfect actors; instead they normalise on-stage slip ups and encourage our pupils to pursue participation and enjoyment over perfection.
“It is particularly special that Kingshott has been shortlisted for this award, given that this is the first time the school has entered any award,” concludes Mr Weston. “So whilst we look forward to the winner’s announcement in September, we are incredibly happy to just enjoy our shortlisting – both now and in the future – as it is a testament to our impressive performing arts offering at Kingshott.”
