Individual Study Co-Curricular Guide
Senior School
Ballet
LAMDA (Speech & Drama)
Instrumental Music Lessons
September 2026
Co-Curricular Options at St Helen’s
The school offers a number of co-curricular opportunities for which an additional charge is made. This booklet outlines the offer, describes how the school manages these lessons and explains how these activities are billed to parents
Should your daughter wish to participate in any of these activities, you should complete the relevant application form online. Application form links are included in the relevant activities’ section in this booklet. For ballet and LAMDA you can assume that your daughter has been allocated a place on her chosen activity unless you are contacted to the contrary For music lessons your details will be passed onto the teachers who will contact you directly about start dates and availability. If you have any questions, please use the relevant emails at the end of this booklet The charge for ballet and LAMDA will be added to your school bill, whilst music lessons are billed directly by the teachers
The minimum commitment for ballet is for two terms, as the school requires a full term’s notice for these activities, as it does for attendance at school, according to our terms and conditions We will assume that your daughter wishes to continue with her chosen activities until you give written notice to cancel Queries about notice to stop an activity should be sent to the email address provided for each activity. The LAMDA course and commitment is for one year, September to July Music lessons commitments are at the discretion of the individual teachers
New applications for LAMDA are invited each year in the Summer Term and are offered to new and existing students, with ballet and music able to accept applications throughout the year
Please note, all fees are correct at the time of publication and can be subject to change.
Ballet Lessons
The school has a team of experienced, classically trained ballet teachers who prepare girls for Royal Academy of Dance examinations Girls in Years 7 – 13, study examinations in sequential order which are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework and are equivalent to GCSE and A Level with upper examinations carrying UCAS points Girls are welcome to join our classes at any level
Reasons to learn ballet
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is the largest dance examination body globally. The examinations provide students with an opportunity to measure their achievement against an international standard, to acquire skill certification for career development and through contact with expert practitioners and examiners, to receive critical appraisal and guidance for future development.
The classes and examinations encourage students to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle both mentally and physically Ballet marries movement and music together whilst studying concepts that relate to science, mathematics and art. Studying ballet develops co-ordination, control, precision, spatial awareness, poise, confidence and mental agility such as long and short-term memory, improved focus, and problem-solving Performing ballet to an audience allows students to develop non-verbal communication skills such as expression, interpretation and projection. Key tools gained through ballet include resilience, independence, self-awareness, discipline, teamwork, and attention to the importance of detail to contribute to an overall goal These valuable benefits and skills contribute to success in Further Education and Employment Ballet is also deeply interconnected with emotional wellbeing with a focus on mindfulness practices, improved mood and a sense of connection with peers
Senior school girls have an opportunity to undertake the final RAD exam in the Graded examination suite, Grade 8 Award. This is performed as a soloist. Girls can also study and perform pointe work with the view to potentially completing one further examination post Grade 8 This is the prestigious Intermediate Vocational Graded exam which involves dancing en pointe For safety reasons, this is at the discretion of the teacher and usually takes place in Year 12 or 13.
Timings
Friday 4 30pm - 5 30pm
Friday lunchtime examination preparation (FOC) commencing approximately fifteen weeks (term time) prior to the exam
Ballet examinations
The girls are prepared for Royal Academy of Dance examinations The normal pattern of examination is as follows:
Year 8 (Grade 4)
Year 10 (Grade 5)
Year 12 (Grade 8)
Examinations
Ballet lesson charges
The total cost of ballet tuition, which takes place throughout the whole academic year, including exam periods, for 2026-2027 is £582. Whilst the number of Fridays per term will vary, the fees for ballet will be charged on the school bill in advance in three equal instalments of £194 Overall, there are thirty payable lessons 1 hour each, across the year As with school fees, a full term’s notice is required to cease ballet lessons
Please complete the Ballet Co-curricular Application Form 2026 on My School Portal to register your daughter to commence ballet lessons by Friday 19th June 2026.
Instrumental Music Lessons
St Helen’s has a dedicated team of experienced instrumental teachers who provide individual lessons in a range of instruments to girls in Year 7 and above
Singing (Pop and Musical Theatre)
Singing (Classical)
Piano (Classical)
Piano (Jazz and Pop)
Viola
Violin
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Bassoon
Oboe
Clarinet
Saxophone (Alto or Tenor)
Trumpet
Cornet
Tenor Horn
Euphonium/Baritone Horn
Trombone
French Horn
Tuba
Drum Kit
Bass Guitar
Guitar (Classical)
Guitar (Acoustic or Electric)
Theory of Music
Percussion
Music Production
Organ
We also offer individual Theory of Music lessons – Grade 5 Theory is required for Associated Board Grade 6 Practical examinations and above when there is a demand.
Reasons to learn a musical instrument
Research suggests a correlation between higher academic achievement and exposure to music. Experts suggest that music stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, mathematics and emotional development and participation in music can help improve a child’s learning ability and memory Socially, children who become involved in a musical group or ensemble are learning important life skills, such as how to relate to others, how to work as a team and to appreciate the rewards that come from working together, and the development of leadership skills and discipline
How music lessons are managed
From Years 7 – 12 instrumental music lessons take place during timetabled academic lessons on a rota system; the Music Teachers endeavour to ensure that pupils will not miss part of the same academic lesson more than twice in any half-term period Instrumental music lessons are 30 minutes long and each academic lesson lasts for 60 minutes; therefore, instrumental music lessons are timed to enable girls to attend half of the academic lesson they are missing In Years 12 and 13, girls do not miss academic lessons in examined subjects to attend instrumental music lessons Their lessons are fixed either before or afterschool, during lunchtimes, during study periods or sessions for non-examined subjects. Some Individual Music Teachers offer paired or group sessions, but this option varies in both availability and price by teacher
The school operates a variety of co-curricular orchestras, choirs and ensembles which girls are able to join free of charge, in order to supplement the learning which takes place in their individual lessons
Music examinations
Where appropriate, teachers prepare girls for examinations set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). The school hosts a live practical examination session towards the end of each term; when it is deemed more beneficial, pupils may be entered for ABRSM Performance Exams, with performances submitted via video recording Music Theory examinations take place online via the ABRSM’s website As girls make progress at different rates on different instruments, we rely on the expertise of their teachers to decide their readiness for examinations.
Parents are advised by letter when their daughter is ready to take the exam All associated examination charges are added to the next termly bill. Accompanists are available for examinations at an extra cost.
Music lesson charges
The cost of lessons is set by the individual teacher, but it is in the region of £30 per 30 mins lesson The number of lessons per term is set by individual teachers.
Please see our Instrument Hire agreement if you’d like to hire an instrument from St Helen’s School
Please complete the Expression of Interest in Music Lessons Form 2026 on My School Portal by Friday 19th June 2026 for your daughter to commence music lessons. Your details will then be passed on to the relevant Music Teacher for direct enrolment.
LAMDA
Co-Curricular LAMDA lessons are available for girls in Years 7 – 11 as a one-year course The lessons culminate in an end of year LAMDA performance examination and classes are available as a solo or duo. We also offer Year 12 pupils the chance to take a certificate in Speech and Drama - Performance Studies which is a two-year course
Reasons to study LAMDA
The LAMDA lessons aim to unlock the imagination and inspire creative thinking, to develop self- confidence and self-esteem, physical presence and a strong speaking voice
LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) is the UK’s largest statutory Speech and Drama awarding body and LAMDA examinations have a reputation for excellence across the world The courses are designed to equip candidates, whatever their age or aspirations, with a range of skills that will serve them throughout life
The examinations themselves provide students with an opportunity to measure their progress against an international standard, to acquire skill certification for career development and through contact with expert practitioner examiners, to receive critical appraisal and guidance for future development
How LAMDA lessons are managed
Girls in Years 7-12 may opt for Solo lessons or where indicated Duo lessons, in which the girls will work on a piece of theatre that will be examined Girls opting for Duo will be paired with friends or girls from their year group. If your daughter wishes to have a Duo lesson with a particular student, you should indicate this on the application form The commitment is for one year of 30 lessons, leading to an examination in the Summer Term
We also offer Year 12 students the opportunity to be entered for the LAMDA Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies It is recommended that students who are interested in the LAMDA Performance Certificate have undertaken either the LAMDA Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting (Grade 8) or the LAMDA Graded Examination in Communication: Speaking Verse and Prose (Grade 8) prior to commencing study The LAMDA Certificate is a two-year course
You should assume that your daughter has been allocated the class of her choice unless we advise you to the contrary. Timetables are finalised in the first week of September and lessons commence the following week. For Years 7 – 9 LAMDA lessons take place during timetabled lessons on a rota system We endeavor to ensure that pupils will not miss part of the same academic lesson more than twice in any half-term period Each LAMDA lesson lasts 30 minutes, and each academic lesson lasts 55 minutes. LAMDA lessons are timed to enable girls to attend half of the academic lesson they are missing
In Years 10 and above girls do not miss academic lessons to attend LAMDA lessons. Their lessons are fixed either before or afterschool, during lunch times, or during study periods LAMDA Performance Certificate lessons are one hour long and are timetabled on a fortnightly basis This particular course will be taught over two years
Speaking in Public (Solo Only)
LAMDA Graded Examinations in Communication: Speaking in Public examinations are designed to develop the skills necessary for effective oral communication and public presentation, which are vital skills required in Further Education and employment. Students will select appropriate subject matter and prepare and deliver two coherent and concise speeches with the use of multimedia
Devising Drama (Solo or Duo)
LAMDA Devising Drama examinations are designed to enable students to create a dramatic performance of their own making and present it to an audience Students will engage with character and situation in order to create a sense of reality As well as developing performance skills, students will learn vital lessons in creative writing, script editing, and story structure.
Acting (Solo or Duo)
LAMDA Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting are designed to develop the skills necessary to communicate dramatic text to an audience and integrate their knowledge and skills to demonstrate a mature understanding of theatrical material They will explore style, form, character and subtext, whilst developing their theatrical performance skills
Musical Theatre (Solo or Duo)
LAMDA examinations in Musical Theatre help students to develop their acting, dancing and singing skills Like LAMDA Acting examinations, they encourage empathy and self-awareness, as learners are required to present believable characters through both acting, song and dance
LAMDA lesson charges
The girls have one LAMDA lesson per week throughout the academic year Although the number of lessons per term will vary depending on the length of the term, LAMDA classes are charged in three equal instalments, as with school fees
Students take 30 individual lessons in any one academic year
As with school fees, a full term’s notice is required to stop LAMDA lessons – e.g. should your daughter in Year 7 wish to stop attending LAMDA lessons when she moves into Year 8 at the start of the Autumn Term, you are required to give notice on or before the first day of the Summer Term in Year 7
You will appreciate that other commitments, such as a school visit, sometimes mean that it is not possible to adhere to our principle of one lesson per week Where possible, teachers will make up missed lessons within each term Where it is not possible to offer 30 lessons within the academic year, the cost of lessons which have not been offered will be refunded.
We are unable to make up missed lessons either due to a pupil’s absence from school or because a pupil does not appear for her lesson. If there is a valid reason (such as a late notice inclusion in a sports fixture) the Drama department will endeavour to reschedule a lesson In these circumstances we require 2 school days’ notice; please note that it may not always be possible, depending on the circumstances
Charges for LAMDA lessons for 2026-2027 are as follows:
• Solo Lessons - £403 per term
• Duo Lessons - £293 per term
• Group Lessons - £194 per term
• Certificate (Sixth Form) - £339 per term
LAMDA examinations
Examinations are charged in addition to the lesson fees, and the fee for the examination varies by level and grade The school makes a small administrative charge to cover the cost of processing examination entries Examinations normally happen at the end of the Summer Term and are hosted in school during the school day or immediately after school
Please complete the LAMDA Senior Co-curricular Application Form 2026 on My School Portal to register your daughter to commence LAMDA lessons by Friday 19th June 2026.
Contact Us
For further information about any of the activities, or to give notice that your daughter wishes to stop the activity, please email us via:
Ballet
BalletSenior@sthelens.london
Music music@sthelens.london
LAMDA lamda@sthelens london
If you wish to request Ballet, Instrumental Music and/or LAMDA lessons at St Helen’s School, please complete the relevant application form online Application form links can be found on My School Portal under Forms and Requests.