Creative and Performing Arts Prospectus by Oakham School

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

“Music and drama run through the life of Oakham with many opportunities to learn and perform.”

Good Schools Guide

WELCOME

We are extremely proud of our outstanding reputation for excellence in all areas of the Creative and Performing Arts. The Arts are central to life at Oakham School, both as an essential part of the academic curriculum and a cornerstone of our co-curriculum.

As well as providing you with a flavour of the wealth of artistic, dramatic and musical opportunities that we offer, I hope this booklet will show you the many benefits the Arts can bring to your child’s education.

The skills that your child will learn and develop from studying the Arts at Oakham are invaluable for their broader education, helping them to make connections across all the subjects that they study and to become rounded individuals.

Whether performing or sharing a piece of work they’ve created, the Arts help our pupils to find their voice and to understand who they are. What’s more, studying the Arts presents a freedom to explore new things; things that have not been made yet.

Above all, we want your child’s experience of studying the Arts at Oakham to be enjoyable, inspiring and rewarding.

James Robinson Deputy Head

Co-Curriculum

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THE ARTS AT A GLANCE

Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Dance, and Music form an essential part of an Oakham education, within the Academic Curriculum and also the Co-Curriculum.

Both inside and outside the classroom, the Arts are integrated into everything we do and are widely celebrated. Whatever their age or level, all our pupils enjoy access to fantastic facilities and teaching of the highest quality.

Every year we support many of our pupils to follow their dream to pursue careers in the Arts, with highly successful actors, musicians, artists and designers amongst our alumni.

Whatever their career path, we want our pupils to use the skills they have learned and experiences they have enjoyed through studying the Arts at Oakham to enrich their future lives.

Years 6–9 / Lower 1 to Form 3 Weekly Art, DT, Drama, Dance, and Music lessons as part of the academic timetable.

Years 10 and 11 / GCSE GCSEs available in:

• Art (a choice of 3 Art and Design GCSE courses)

• DT

• Dance • Drama

Music

Upper School / 16+

A-level and IB Diploma courses available in:

• Art and Design (a choice of 4 courses; Textiles, Sculpture, Painting and Mixed Media, and Critical and Contextual Studies)

• DT

• Drama and Theatre

• Music

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Art - 13+ / 16+

Design and Technology (DT) - 13+ / 16+ Drama and Dance - 13+ / 16+

- 11+ / 13+ / 16+

IN THE CO-CURRICULUM

The Arts thrive in our outstanding co-curriculum, with abundant opportunities for pupils to unleash their creativity.

Impressive numbers of top marks for art and DT at GCSE and there are specialist teachers for all the different disciplines such as sculpture and textiles.”

Good Schools Guide

DRAMA AND DANCE

• 5 major theatre productions and dance showcases each year

• Weekly dance classes and lessons for LAMDA and RADA Shakespeare Certificates

• Annual Shakespeare monologue competition

• Regular theatre trips to see live productions

MUSIC

• Over 400 individual music lessons each week

• 20 regular weekly ensembles

• 80 concerts each year

• Annual music competitions in singing and piano duet playing

• Biennial music tour – previous tours have been to Spain, Italy, and Latvia

ART

• Weekly art activities as part of the activities timetable and after school

• Regular exhibitions in the School’s exhibition spaces: the Wheelhouse Gallery and Smallbone Library

• Opportunities to enter external art competitions

• Inspiring trips to art galleries and exhibition spaces

• Thought-provoking talks from artists, designers and curators

DT

• Weekly DT activities as part of the activities timetable and after school

• Opportunities to take part in external Design and Technology competitions

• The chance to work with local companies to create design solutions to products in industry through the Industrial Cadets Gold Award

• Inspiring trips to museums and factories, including the biennial DT and Geography trip to Bologna

“I love the freedom that my Art teachers give me to experiment with different media.”

FINN, UPPER SCHOOL PUPIL

ART

ART IN THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

All pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) take part in a programme of practical arts, through which they are introduced to a range of skills and creative expression and enjoy experimenting with materials following the IB Middle Years Programme.

Large numbers of pupils take one Creative Arts subject to GCSE level. There is a wealth of choice available, including printmaking, textiles, painting or three-dimensional design, exploring architectural design, interior design and sculpture.

At Oakham we aim to make the creative experience of producing Art as accessible as possible, embracing the spirit of Joseph Beuys’ statement “Everyone is an artist”.

The Art and Design Department comprises an experienced team of seven specialist teachers, who are practising artists in their own right and who strongly encourage individual expression, experimentation and invention in our pupils.

Our six dedicated studios in the Richard Bull Centre are alive with creativity and the range of activities, media and materials available is extensive and includes painting, textiles, sculpture and printmaking. There are also opportunities for students to explore digital photography and new electronic media.

Students’ work features in regular exhibitions in School, both in our dedicated exhibition space, the Wheelhouse Gallery, and the Smallbone Library. As well as pupil-led exhibitions, we are proud to stage exhibitions by visiting artists in the Wheelhouse Gallery, all of which are open to the public.

Art is a popular option beyond School and each year large numbers of students gain places at top institutions to study across a diverse range of creative courses: from Architecture to Fashion, History of Art to Illustration.

Art helps students to build an awareness of the world around them. They notice things and they learn more about other cultures, people who are different from them, with different views, with different histories. Ultimately, it helps to build communities and is about learning the true value in you and what you do.

In the Upper School, students follow one or more of our A-level or IB Diploma Visual Art courses as part of a broad programme of study, whilst some specialise in the creative subjects in preparation for an arts-related career. History of Art is taught through the A-level Art: Critical and Contextual Studies (CSS) course, where the emphasis is on learning about and writing about art, building a confidence to find your own voice when talking about visual imagery, with a focus on curation, the art market, galleries and museums, which is a key aspect of Art as a whole.

We offer a rich and varied programme of visiting artists, curators’ talks, artists’ workshops and frequent visits to museums and galleries, including the ever-popular annual visit to meet British Fashion Designer, Sir Paul Smith, in his London Head Office.

ART IN THE CO-CURRICULUM

Art and Design activities are extremely popular amongst pupils of all ages, both as part of the weekly timetabled activities programme and after school.

We welcome all students to use our facilities and encourage them to make art, even if they aren’t studying at GCSE or above. Pupils can explore their creativity further through activities options ranging from craft and sculpture to screen printing and photography. We also offer different opportunities for pupils to showcase their work by running competitions within School and entering pupils for external regional and national competitions.

In addition, we run a variety of workshops and open photography exhibitions for pupils and staff to participate in. The Richard Bull Centre is also open during the weekends for older students to work further on their coursework.

ALUMNI

Beyond School, many students have gone on to study an Art-related course at Camberwell, Chelsea, Central Saint Martins, the Ruskin School of Art and universities in the UK and USA. Many former students work in the creative industries, particularly fashion and architecture.

ART SCHOLARS

Art Scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+ entry.

Art Scholars are involved in devising and leading whole school creative activities, helping to plan, curate and promote exhibitions, organising Art Department events and attending artist-led workshops. They share their interest in the subject by contributing towards a Scholars’ space within the Art Department, which includes the exhibiting of their work, as well as presenting interesting research about the art world.

For further information, contact:

Elinor Brass Director of Art and Design erb@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Studying DT also helps pupils to develop myriad transferable skills, such as logical thinking and problem-solving, which are extremely useful in all areas of life both inside and outside the classroom.

DT IN THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Oakham’s Design Technology Department has earned a national reputation for excellence thanks to our outstanding facilities, talented staff and the remarkable work that our pupils produce.

Our team of six specialist teachers, led by Tim Weston, who is a Principal Moderator in the Design Technology IB Diploma, are passionately committed to encouraging our pupils to discover their design flair and creativity.

The Jerwood School of Design is a purpose-built facility that contains cutting edge equipment, including CREO 8.0 CAD software, 10 3D Rapid Prototype Printers, and an extensive range of CNC machinery. As well as large workshops for pupils to work with wood, metal and plastic, there are also studios dedicated to computer-aided design and to electronics.

There is an incredible breadth of choice on offer for pupils to develop their design and engineering skills, to consider and find solutions for problems that people face, as well as the opportunity to specialise in areas of their interest.

All pupils in Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) are given the opportunity to explore a wide range of design and make activities, to encourage them to use all of the equipment and facilities on offer. The resulting designs include rapid prototype 3D-printed multi-adaptor charging cables, wooden desk tidies, Bluetooth speakers and electronic games. This grounding gives pupils a really enjoyable introduction to designing and making products before choosing to take it further at GCSE level.

Pupils who then go on to study GCSE DT develop their creativity and imagination further to design and make prototypes that consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values. The course prepares students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world, as well as to consider wider influences on design, including historical, social, cultural, environmental, and economic factors. They also have the choice of specialising in electronic products, polymers and textiles.

Post-16 students can choose between A-level and IB Diploma Design Technology courses, which offer students the chance to develop a broad view of Design and Technology, and to really appreciate the relationship between design, materials, manufacture and marketing.

Pupils are able to participate in the many educational trips and visits that we organise to destinations that include museums, factories, and the biennial trip to Bologna.

DT IN THE CO-CURRICULUM

We offer Design Technology activities to pupils of all ages as part of the weekly timetabled activities programme and after school, with options ranging from jewellery making to CAD design.

Our facilities are open for pupils to use during the weekends to give students the opportunity to spend additional time designing and making products. On Saturdays, there is a range of activities on offer for Lower School pupils, whilst the department is open throughout the weekend for older students to work further on their coursework.

Pupils can also get involved in the Engineering Education Scheme – now known as the Industrial Cadets Gold –through which they work with local companies to create design solutions to products in industry, thereby giving them invaluable real-life experience of working in business.

In addition, we offer different opportunities for pupils to showcase their design skills by running competitions within School and entering pupils for external regional and national competitions, including the Leicestershire and Rutland Annual Rotary Engineering Competition.

ALUMNI

Pupils go on to study Product Design, Industrial Design, Architectural, or Engineering degrees at universities such as: Loughborough, Brunel, Northumbria, Newcastle, Birmingham, and University of the Arts London.

Many former DT students work in the design and engineering sector. These include OOs who: have set up their own architectural or engineering businesses; work for JLR and McLaren; lead projects for Adidas and sustainable fashion brands; and who work in the chemical and civil engineering fields.

DT SCHOLARS

DT Scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+ entry.

All DT Scholars have the opportunity to participate in one of the many enrichment activities held in the Jerwood School of Design, with specialist equipment for the most challenging of projects.

We also support Arkwright Scholarships, an external national 16+ scholarship that is open to schools who achieve the necessary standards. Students may apply for an award during their last year of GCSE studies.

We support students through the process of making an application for this prestigious award and mentor all successful candidates through their Upper School studies.

For further information, contact: Tim Weston Head of Design and Technology

tcw@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

“I love having the ability to bring conceptual ideas into reality; it’s truly a brilliant feeling.”

ARCHIE, UPPER SCHOOL PUPIL

DRAMA AND DANCE

From nurturing artistic and creative talent in the Lower School to preparing our Upper School students in their applications to university and prestigious drama schools, we are passionate about inspiring a lifelong love of theatre in all our pupils throughout their time at Oakham.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre (the QET) sits at the heart of the Drama Department and its surrounding rehearsal spaces provide a wide variety of areas in which to teach and perform. Each year the 200-seat professional theatre hosts an eclectic line-up of productions, pupils’ own experimental pieces, cutting edge drama, and full-scale musicals.

Old School, the original School building dating from 1584, provides an atmospheric, additional dramatic venue for more intimate Studio Production and workshops.

Under the tutelage of our dynamic and experienced staff, some of whom have been practitioners and all of whom bring a wealth of hands-on experience to their teaching, pupils learn key aspects of theatre work, including: performance, design, and production.

Each year we prepare and support students through the audition process for the National Youth Theatre, universities or specialist drama schools. Recently, Oakhamians have received offers to study at top drama schools worldwide, including RADA, LAMDA, the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York, and The Lir, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art.

Pupils who have studied Drama at Oakham also go on to vastly different careers having benefited from the enhanced communication skills, the insights into human nature, and the exposure to perhaps the richest vein of accessible culture – both native and world-wide – that the study and practice of theatre can bring; after all… “All the world’s a stage…”

DRAMA AND DANCE IN THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

All pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) study a programme of Drama and Dance, encouraging them to develop their movement, performance skills and creativity.

In Form 4 (Year 10) pupils can choose to study GCSEs in Drama and also Dance. These two subjects provide an excellent introduction to skills required for creating theatre and choreography.

In Drama GCSE there is an option to do technical elements, such as lighting, make-up, and set design, as well as performance.

Post-16 students have the option of studying either Drama and Theatre at A-level or Theatre in the IB Diploma. In both courses there is a strong emphasis on studying texts and practitioners, as well as students creating and performing devised and scripted pieces of theatre.

WEEKLY DANCE CLASSES

Dance, an essential for any would-be actor, is part of the curriculum up to Form 3 (Year 9) and we also offer extremely popular free weekly classes held on Wednesday evenings, which are open to all ages.

Our purpose-built dance studio, The Courtyard, provides a fantastic venue for our in-house dance specialists to teach all types of movement and dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap. In addition to the Dance Showcases, pupils have the opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate their achievements with an annual dance showcase held at the end of the academic year.

DRAMA IN THE CO-CURRICULUM

With five major theatre productions and dance showcases and a Shakespeare monologue competition staged each year on average, pupils have a wealth of opportunities to perform on stage.

In recent years, our Main School Productions have included: Singin’ in the Rain, Chicago, and A Christmas Carol; Lower School pupils have performed in productions of Oliver! Jr., The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Alice in Wonderland; Middle School pupils have performed in Romeo and Juliet, Lord of the Flies, and Return to the Forbidden Planet; and our Scholars’ Productions have included: Blue Stockings, Decky Does a Bronco and The Government Inspector

There is comprehensive co-curricular support of the wouldbe dramatic artist in the shape of weekly dedicated acting lessons that can lead to LAMDA Acting and or Shakespeare Exams and, for those wishing to best prepare themselves for auditions – for School Productions, National Youth Theatre, university courses or, of course, drama schools.

We strive to give our students as many opportunities as possible to watch live theatre and regularly take them on theatre trips, both as part of the curriculum and as optional excursions. We also invite professional companies to visit the School and work with students of all ages.

DRAMA SCHOLARS

Drama Scholarships are available at 13+ and 16+ entry.

Old Oakhamian Richard Hope (‘71) led a workshop in the QET

Behind the scenes roles are very much supported in the School’s theatre, with many pupils getting involved in the lighting, sound and set production of School performances. Pupils are also given the opportunity to help with key aspects such as hair and make-up for productions and can be part of the Front of House team on show nights.

ALUMNI

It is testament to the dedication of our talented staff in nurturing the ability and ambition of our students that so many Old Oakhamians pursue successful careers in the Performing Arts. Numbered among our talented alumni are: director Katie Mitchell (‘83), actor and director Thomas Hescott (‘96), actors Matthew Macfadyen (‘92), Greg Hicks (‘71), Richard Hope (‘71), comedian Miles Jupp (‘98), film producer Andy Harries (‘71) and many more.

Between them these OOs cover the country’s great theatre institutions (The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company), the cutting edge of modern theatre companies (Complicite and Shared Experience); they bridge standup comedy and eclectic Channel 4 drama, and include an Oscar winner.

Drama Scholars form the essential core of the School’s many prestigious productions and in preparation hone their performance skills and learn new ones during accent and dialect workshops, specialist dance and stage-fight training, and masterclasses in movement and audition technique, led by industry professionals.

Scholars are mentored and coached by the Director of Drama who will monitor their progress and development and offer guidance on any further Drama or Theatre education or career options, be they in Classical Acting, Musical Theatre, directing or media.

For further information, contact: Gilly Norell Director of Drama gn@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

“The main thing I love about Drama at Oakham School is the environment created by teachers, cast and crew. On any production, every single aspect is top notch.”

LIZZIE, OO (‘21)

“I love the opportunities Oakham gives me to perform in many different ensembles and as a soloist.”

LUCY, UPPER SCHOOL PUPIL

MUSIC

Music is an essential, much-loved part of Oakham School life. Our vibrant Music Department has a national reputation for excellence and we are particularly proud of our choral and instrumental traditions.

The quality of our music teaching is paramount and at the heart of all that we do at Oakham. Our large and thriving Music Department consists of 40 staff, many of whom enjoy active professional performing careers. The dedicated Music School has several practice rooms and superb music technology facilities and our beautiful School Chapel is a key venue for performances and concerts.

Our aim is to nurture the ability of any pupil interested in music. With high numbers of pupils taking part in musical ensembles, regularly participating in national youth music organisations and going on to study music beyond Oakham at prestigious colleges and universities, we believe that we are doing much to fulfil this objective. Our students also achieve particularly high standards in composition.

Above all, the skills pupils develop through the study of Music – learning an instrument, practising on their own and with their peers, performing to an audience, and gaining an appreciation of culture – are part of the all-round education that Oakham offers.

MUSIC IN THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Curricular provision lies at the heart of our ‘music for all’ philosophy, and class music lessons form part of the academic timetable for every pupil in Forms 1 to 3 (Years 7-9).

Pupils explore a wide range of IB MYP units developing skills in listening, performing and composing, with units devised to enthuse pupils and stretch the most able. As well as class singing, pupils have the opportunity to use djembes, samba instruments, and the School’s own gamelan to develop their understanding of different musical cultures around the world.

All Form 1 pupils give a massed vocal performance in the Autumn Concert each year, whilst Form 2 pupils showcase samba percussion performances in a November Lower School concert. Form 3 pupils also give a vocal performance alongside the Chapel Choir in the annual Gala Concert in March. The Music Department’s two dedicated computer suites enable pupils to compose in Sibelius software, as well as undertaking projects utilising the Bandlab software online.

A good number of pupils opt to take GCSE Music (AQA) in two sets, and results in all public examinations have been outstanding in recent years, particularly in the composition and performance components of the course.

In the Upper School, pupils study the Eduqas A-level Music course. At this level pupils study set works in detail, develop listening skills and contextual understanding, explore a wide range of compositional styles, alongside developing their performance skills towards a final assessment. Students continue their musical studies beyond Oakham every year at universities and music colleges. We regularly seek to enrich the curriculum with concert visits, particularly for those studying public examination courses.

MUSIC IN THE CO-CURRICULUM

From the specialist to the enthusiast, over a quarter of the School’s pupils take part in musical ensembles – choirs, bands, orchestras – and musical theatre in collaboration with the Drama Department.

Over 400 individual music lessons and rehearsals for 20 regular weekly ensembles take place each week. In addition, individual RockSchool, LCM Music Theatre and ABRSM music exams, for which there a high success rate, are held each term.

ALUMNI

Alumni who have gone on to pursue professional music careers include: Director of Music at King’s College, Cambridge Daniel Hyde (’98); composer and choral conductor Paul Spicer (’70); professional singers Katie Hall (‘08), Jack Lee (’15), and Dingle Yandell (’00).

MUSIC SCHOLARS

Music Scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ 16+ entry (Standard of Grade 4 (11+), Grade 6 (13+) or Grade 8 (16+) required on principal instrument/voice).

Public performance is fundamental to Music at Oakham. It builds vital personal confidence and provides goals to work towards. Our pupils take part in over 80 concerts each year within the School, supporting the local community and in prestigious venues around the UK. Our annual Singing Competition and Piano Duet Competition, adjudicated by eminent professional musicians, are eagerly anticipated events in the School calendar. We produce recordings, tour abroad biennially and participate in major national competitions.

We aim to give our pupils as many opportunities as possible to hear live music and achieve this by hosting professional concerts and arranging concert trips to hear leading orchestras.

Our Music Scholars are key role models within the vibrant musical life of the School. Scholars receive free musical tuition, including extended lessons for more advanced musicians. They are also mentored by the Director of Music, who develops individualised programmes that carefully balance the need to stretch pupils with exciting opportunities, along with protecting sufficient time in their weekly schedules for quality practice.

The scholarship programme provides excellent preparation for musical pathways beyond Oakham, with pupils regularly going on to study Music at leading conservatoires and universities.