Drama

Every child can have his or her share of the limelight!

Children use drama to explore themselves and their environment, and it provides a safe route to self-knowledge and increased self-confidence.

In lessons children learn to use mime and improvisation or create a script for performance; they learn to empathise and are invited to step into the shoes of other characters, real or imagined. Drama is very often used to explore situations, issues or dilemmas that occur in other areas of the curriculum such as English, History or Religion and it can play a very significant role in augmenting and deepening children’s understanding.

Performance plays a central role in life at Orwell Park School, with every pupil taking part in a wide variety of opportunities throughout their time at the school. From the very start, children are introduced to performance through events like the Nursery to Year 2 Nativity and the Lower Prep Play, which is often a lively and musical production for Nursery to Year 4. As they move up the school, pupils enjoy more ambitious projects such as the Year 5 Pocket Shakespeare in the woods and Year 6 self-directed plays, encouraging independence and creativity. Year 7 pupils take part in Film School, a two-term project that culminates in a film festival, while Year 8 leads the way with a high-quality senior production involving acting, backstage work, lighting, sound, and even orchestra participation. There are also termly competitions in Reading for Performance, Poetry Recitation, and Public Speaking, as well as a Scholars’ Production and a Year 8 Leavers’ Performance. These varied experiences help develop confidence, teamwork, and a love of the performing arts in all pupils.

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