Template:Courier-MAR-24-11b
MUSIC CENTRAL TO LEARNING
A wealth of music and drama opportunities, which sees pupils going from playing hand bells through to composing their own original songs, is on offer at Claygate Primary School. Every pupil from Nursery (age three) to Year 6 (age 11) benefits from weekly lessons with a specialist music teacher, following a bespoke curriculum tailored to pupils’ needs.
Significant time is spent learning a progression of instruments from hand bells and the djembe drum at younger years to recorder, saxophone, piano/keyboard and ukulele at Key Stage 2. All pupils learn to perform in ensembles, read and write staff notation, and acquire the building blocks of improvisation and composition: the school now has its own repertoire of original songs, many with lyrics and/or music composed by pupils.
This is enhanced by pupils studying aspects of drama and musical theatre before showcasing them to parents and families. This is based on educational research that provides evidence that performing arts nurture pupils’ academic success across the whole curriculum: all pupils collaborate on a variety of projects run by prestigious musical institutions, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC, and take part in regular performances throughout their school career.
And there are even more extra-curricular opportunities in the performing arts: our provision was recently judged Outstanding by Ofsted for pupils’ personal development. With senior and junior choirs, instrumental band, drumming and keyboard ensembles, a pop and dance group and three different drama clubs, all of which perform each term, there is bound to be an activity to suit every budding young performer. The school additionally runs a media club for young journalists who record video bulletins on school events and present their own regular programme on local radio.
The school's performers appear at local events, including the Claygate Village Show, Claygate Christmas Lights, Surrey Arts and Elmbridge School Choirs Festivals, Young Voices, and Voice in a Million, among others. And there is collaboration with other local schools. Individual private tuition is also available in a variety of instruments from specialist tutors, offering pupils the opportunity to obtain ABRSM and LAMDA qualifications.
Visit the school's website www.claygate.surrey.sch.uk, or follow on social media at @ClaygatePrimary (Twitter) or contact the office to arrange a visit.
