THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

DT & Art GCSE Showcase

Our first in-person showcase since COVID-19. A mixture of creations highlighting the best in design, craft, imagination, and ingenuity, from conception prototypes to full design portfolios. This well-attended event allowed our pupils to show their inspiring work to their families and friends. We are delighted at how supportive our Cranleigh Community is of the Art and DT Departments, so this was an excellent opportunity to see their children’s work. Every year it is humbling to see how talented our pupils are.

F1 in Schools

Practical learning should be considered to be just as crucial as theoretical knowledge. Can you imagine someone teaching you to swim or drive a vehicle within four classroom walls? It is impossible! You must get into the water to learn to swim and be out on the road to learn to drive. Theoretical knowledge of skill-based subjects needs to be supported by practice. Learning is engrained to a deeper level when the students can apply it practically.

As our pupils progress through the different stages of our Design and Technology curriculum, we provide opportunities to apply knowledge and key skills from all other subjects. Through innovation and creativity, pupils have the chance to solve real-world problems using both practical skills and theoretical applications. Mistakes are praised as opportunities for learning, and our students develop as well-rounded individuals with an array of transferable essential skills. This year, seeing our pupils back in the Tech rooms was fantastic. They worked on challenging, practical cross-curricular projects and engaged in inventive showcases and new Design and Technology CCAs.

Gareth Box, Head of Design and Technology

Rev your engines! This was Cranleigh’s inaugural entry into this global competition and a terrific opportunity for our pupils. F1 in Schools is an international STEM challenge for students aged 9-19. Pupils must design, manufacture, and race the fastest (miniature) Formula 1 Car of the Future, powered by a compressed air filter. The competition day was a huge success, with our teams beating several schools with far more experience in this competition. Our pupils demonstrated independence, determination, and fantastic team spirit as they completed the various aspects of the challenge, including presentations to judges, pit displays and the all-important races. We will be looking to enter at least two teams again next time.

“The pizza project was a great way to end our DT curriculum, and I really enjoyed making the pizzas myself.”

Year 9 Pizza Project

The Pizza Project was launched as a celebration to mark the completion of Year 9 Design and Technology. From this stage forward, pupils will only have DT lessons if they choose this subject as a GCSE option. Our Year 9s learnt about different doughs, options for food allergies and how to cook a pizza in a pizza oven. There were some very creative results!

Cubes in Space, STEM Scholars Competition

The Cubes in Space competition was launched internally this year. This initiative aims to get our scholars brainstorming ideas for 2023 when they submit their projects to NASA for an international competition and participation in an actual launch. As our world focuses considerably on space exploration, these small projects will be necessary for considering the effect of space conditions on certain ‘knowns’ here on Earth. Our internal submissions were thoughtful and very impressive. We know our pupils have the creativity and intellect to take on this challenge and impress a global audience.

Guest Speakers

We were very fortunate to have several subject-specific guest speakers join us from our remarkable Cranleigh Community. The speakers shared their stories about their career paths, industry insights, and career advice. We were also joined by the CEO and Founder of Gocruzi. They discussed the process of taking their design from concept to marketed product. Perfect inspiration for our Year 10 pupils who have just started their coursework.

This year was a significant period for the Performing Arts Faculty as more became possible when the COVID-19 restrictions were gradually lifted. As proud as we were of the online presentations during the pandemic, we were excited to offer live creative opportunities throughout the School again. By the end of the academic year, assemblies had returned with Drama, Dance and Music forming regular features, as did the Prep and Senior Schools Prizegiving ceremonies. In addition, the Pre-Prep children were introduced to the theatre. Each Year group performed their own song, which was rehearsed in Music classes and filmed for parents to watch and keep.

Filming remained an essential component for connection as we tried to share as much as possible with parents and the wider Cranleigh Community. This was especially noticeable when the Year 4s took to the stage for a brilliant performance of Victorian Villainy. As much as we look forward to having live audiences return to the auditorium, we will look back on this year as a time when we overcame challenges and still made things possible. Our dedicated and inspiring pupils continued to show a passion and commitment to Drama, Music, and Dance within and beyond the curriculum.

Joanne Lee, Head of Performing Arts

Facilities

457 SEAT AUDITORIUM

RECITAL HALL

DANCE STUDIO

BLACKBOX STUDIO

PURPOSE-BUILT CLASSROOM AND PRACTICE AREAS

OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE SPACES

MUSIC RECORDING STUDIO