Beyond the Classroom

Drama

Emanuel’s reputation for excellence in the performing arts is exceedingly strong and was the winner of the Independent School of the Year Award 2022 in the Performing Arts category. The Drama department at Emanuel is busy and vibrant, with a focus on excellent skills-based teaching as well as an exciting programme of performances, trips and theatre visits.

There is a vast array of opportunities for pupils of all ages to get involved on stage or behind the scenes. Pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8 have their own annual summer term performances. The biennial Middle School play runs for three nights in December, which alternates with the senior play for pupils in Year 10 to the Upper Sixth. The annual school musical typically involves over 100 pupils. Recent performances include School of Rock and The Addams Family. Every other year, 20 senior students travel to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform two shows.

Music

Emanuel prides itself on being a centre of excellence for contemporary music while maintaining the very highest standards in choral and orchestral music.

There are over 30 concerts a year: ‘Night at the Movies’ in the Hampden Hall; ‘A Night at the Musicals’ at the Clapham Grand; a DJing show at The Ministry of Sound; a ‘Showstoppers’ concert for all pupils in Years 6 and 7; masterclasses with external professionals; carol services; ensembles’ concerts; performers’ platforms; two major house music competitions; music scholar concerts; and an annual school musical.

Over 350 music lessons take place in school every week with 24 first-rate visiting professional music teachers.We hold ABRSM and Rockschool exams each term.

Art & Design

Co–curricular art and design activities benefit from specialist paint and print studios, a dark room for photography, a ceramics room with dedicated kiln, glazing rooms and a sculpture studio. Lower School art, weaving and clay club are all extremely popular among younger pupils, whilst scholars and A level students are invited to regular drawing masterclasses. Pupils are given regular opportunities to visit galleries in London and make contributions to exhibitions in school.

Clubs & Societies

In addition to sport, there are over 70 clubs and societies for pupils to explore at lunchtimes and after school every week.The most popular co-curricular activity is the Duke of Edinburgh Award, with over 200 pupils enrolling in this national programme each year. Other popular activities include the media club, the dance clubs, the chess club, Athena society, the eco club and dissection club.

Trips

The school offers a wide range of day and residential trips to support elements of the curriculum and co-curriculum. In the next twelve months, our pupils will visit Greece and Rome with Classics, Barcelona and Iceland with Geography, take part in language exchanges to France, Germany and Spain, visit the Azores with Biology and New York City with the Music and Drama departments. The centre piece of the trips calendar is field week in the last week of the summer term where all pupils take part in local, regional or international trips to enrich their learning and support community projects.