Drama is an important part of Highfield’s school curriculum. It is very important in developing skills of expression and communication.
Every child from Reception to Prep Six has a class drama lesson as part of her or his weekly timetable. From the tender age of four, when a child’s imagination is bursting with creativity, the children begin to learn basic drama skills, skills that will remain with them forever.
The emphasis in Drama is on fun. By taking part in structured lessons, pupils gain the confidence to develop communication skills, which are then reflected in other areas of learning. In today’s competitive world, the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences is a vital tool for success. Throughout the year the children are able to put these skills into practice through the many opportunities for performance.
Reception, Prep One and Prep Two perform Christmas Nativity plays; Prep Three, Prep Four and Prep Five perform together in the Spring term; and Prep Six, together with pupils from other year groups, participate in a musical production.
Children read in Chapel at end of term services and every child throughout the School is also involved in class assemblies which are performed regularly throughout the year. Prep Five and Prep Six are entered for the Harrogate Competitive Drama Festival in the Group Speaking classes and have a distinguished record of consistent success. Pupils are also given the opportunity to enter individual classes at the Festival in verse speaking.
A weekly drama club is offered throughout the year and here pupils enjoy creating improvised scenes and working on scripted drama pieces. Extra drama lessons are also offered to enable pupils to be entered for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) speech and drama examinations.
In June Highfield perform at the Harrogate Theatre as part of the Theatre’s Youth Festival, an excellent opportunity for the children to perform in a professional theatre.
