Individual Study Co-Curricular Guide
Prep 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. We will assume that your daughter wishes to continue with her chosen activities until you give written notice to cancel, according to our terms and conditions. Queries about notice to stop an activity should be sent to the email address provided for each activity. Music lesson 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 are 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 3 – 6, study examinations in sequential order which are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, leading to qualifications in Senior School, which carry UCAS points and are equivalent to A Level. Girls are welcome to join at any time.
Reasons to learn ballet
The Royal Academy of Dance 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.
Timings
Friday 3.30pm - 4.30pm Friday lunchtime exam preparation October-June (FOC) 12:30pm-1pm
Ballet examinations
The girls are prepared for Royal Academy of Dance examinations. The normal pattern of examination is as follows:
Year 3 (Grade 1)
Year 4 (Grade 2)
Year 6 (Grade 3)
Examinations take place at school during the school day and are billed separately in arrears.
Ballet lesson charges
The total cost of ballet tuition for 2026-2027 is £582 for thirty 1-hour lessons. 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 inclusive of VAT. 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 Years 2 and up.
Year 2 – 6
The following instruments are available for tuition in Year 3 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 where there is a demand.
In Year 2, lessons will take place next to the Year 2 classrooms in the Clara Schumann Room, on the top floor of Gables. The lessons will take place during timetabled academic lessons on a rota system, meaning the pupils’ lesson times will be different each week. The instrumental teacher will collect pupils from their teaching rooms at the start of their lessons, and escort them to the Clara Schumann Room. Piano lessons in Year 2 will be conducted using a digital piano with weighted keys and a full dynamic range; if pupils continue tuition in Year 3, they will be taught using an acoustic upright piano. In the case of violin lessons, the music department can also offer appropriately sized instruments for hire. Other musical opportunities for Year 2 pupils would be assessed based on the amount of interest and individual pupil suitability assessment.
*While Prep School pupils taking singing lessons will be able to continually develop their musicality and technique at any age, it will not always be appropriate for them to work towards music exams, as their “instrument” is still in a developmental stage.
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 2 – 6 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.
Some 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 can join free of charge.
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 daughteris 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-minute lesson.
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 3 - 6 as a one-year course. The lessons culminate in two certificates in Speaking in Public and Acting. Classes are held in groups. Year 3 will work towards Entry Level, Year 4 will work towards Grade 1, Year 5 work towards Grade 2 and Year 6 will work towards Grade 3.
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.
Speaking in Public
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.
Acting
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.
Charges
The girls have one LAMDA lesson (after school) per week throughout the academic year.
LAMDA Year 3 will be on Mondays – 12.30pm – 1pm
LAMDA Year 4 will be on Tuesdays – 12.30pm – 1pm
LAMDA Year 5 will be on Wednesdays – 3.45pm – 4.30pm
LAMDA Year 6 will be on Wednesdays – 3.45pm – 4.30pm
Students take 30 lessons in any one academic year.
• 15 lessons for Acting – Exam to take place in the Spring Term
• 15 lessons for Speaking in Public – Exam to take place in the Summer Term
LAMDA classes are charged in three equal instalments, as with school fees. The total cost of group LAMDA lessons for 2026-2027 for Year 3 & 4 is £97 per term and Year 5 & 6 is £145.50 per term.
As with school fees, a full term’s notice is required to stop LAMDA lessons – e.g. should your daughter in Year 5 wish to stop attending LAMDA lessons when she moves into Year 6 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 5. LAMDA lessons will continue very year, unless a term’s notice is given before the start of the Summer Term.
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.
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.
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 twice a year and are hosted in school during the school day or immediately after school.
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. You will appreciate that we are unable to make up for missed lessons either due to a pupil’s absence from school or because a pupil does not appear for her lesson.
For those wanting to sign up for LAMDA classes, students will be selected at random due to the limited spaces available. If the class is popular, we will operate a waiting list.
Please complete the LAMDA Prep 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
prepschool@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.