DRAMA

At Claires Court Drama is not just about performing, it is about nurturing and developing a passion for theatre and the performing arts; learning and experiencing the creative input needed for our ambitious productions. 

Drama is taught within the curriculum and is one of our major co-curricular activities. For those girls that enjoy taking centre stage there are many performance opportunities a year; a favourite is the Talent Show. The Drama Department regularly organise theatre trips to local and West End theatres that will add to your daughter’s theatrical and cultural experience.

In Year 10, last year saw the largest group of girls taking the Grade 5 Acting in Performance, Acting Solo, equal to a GCSE Grade, of which seven girls achieved Merits, and eight were awarded Distinctions. Hannah Woodhead achieved an outstanding 100%. One girl took the Grade 3 Award in Performance, Acting Solo, and was awarded a Distinction.

ART

Visitors to Senior Girls always comment on the stunning artwork that is on display around the School. With motivational teachers and dedicated creative spaces it is not surprising year on year we win prizes at the ISA Regional Art and Craft Competition. Visit our gallery of the 2017/2018 GCSE Art and Textiles Exhibition.

MUSIC

At Claires Court Senior Girls music making is at the centre of our supportive and exciting environment. We do this by:

• Encouraging and developing pupils' interest, knowledge and enjoyment of music
• Building a creative and innovative musical environment
• Showcasing high quality musicianship  

The exciting and engaging curriculum will allow your daughter to develop her musical skills through listening, appraising, performing and composing music. The curriculum is relevant and innovative, covering a wide range of styles and incorporating elements of music technology. We encourage discussion and debate as integral to the compositional process and aim to build confident, articulate and independent musicians.

The wide range of extra-curricular activities include:

Alongside teaching rooms there are three practice rooms and music studio. Your daughter's technology skills will be developed through the use of Mac desktops and laptops equipped with Logic Pro X and Sibelius software. The studio also contains state-of-the-art recording hardware and software that links to all of the performance spaces providing a highly flexible and exciting recording environment.

There are ongoing opportunities for girls to perform and contribute to; concerts, School productions, showcases, inter-house competitions and community events, often in partnership with the Senior Boys and Sixth Form. Last year, all Senior Girls took part in a Musicathon, which involved making music for 12 hours continuously, raising over £1000 for charity Brass for Africa. 

Your daughter will be encouraged to take up the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Our talented peripatetic staff offer lessons in: Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Brass, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Singing, Contemporary Singing, Classical Guitar, Rock Guitar & Drums.

Music and Choral Scholarships are available to talented and budding musicians or singers.

A recent development in our Music curriculum is the combination of ICT and Music in Year 9, an exciting programme where pupils develop their knowledge of recording techniques and sequencing as well as song writing, filming and editing skills.