Drama

Drama is a great strength of the school and gives every child the opportunity to develop a whole range of personal skills ranging from confidence to self-awareness and self-appreciation. Drama provides an ideal opportuinty for delivering the "Every Child Matters" objectives as well as The Early Years Foundation Stage learning goals. Social and emotional development, communication and creative development are all encouraged. The children have one drama session a week and they follow a scheme of work which over time gives them the opportunity to build up a bank of skills. All children take part in drama lessons and they are all able to access the curriculum and enjoy the subject.

Throughout the year there are regular drama preformances, usually in collaboration with the music department. The Head of Drama and the Director of Music work together to produce high quality performances as well as giving the children the chance to have fun. The Early Years have the chance to perform at Christmas and Years 1 and 2 also produce a Christmas play. In the Lent term Years 3,4 and 5 present the "Middle School Production" and in the Summer the Pre-Prep put on a summer show. The academic year ends with the Senior part of the school presenting the "Summer Production". Previous productions include "The Hot Mikado", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "The King and I", "Cats" and the musical version of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". At the Summer Production we are fortunate enough to have developed fantastic links with the local community and for the pensioners who attend a special matinee performance it is the highlight of the year for both children and adults.

The drama curriculum reflects the diversity of Hatherop Castle and the community at large with sensitive inclusion of diverse, dramatic forms from a range of cultures.

The drama offered at the school has encouraged a number of past pupils to pursue it to very high levels at their senior schools and some have even made careers in the theatre following the encouragement and the start they have been given with us.