Dance at Abbot’s Hill
Dance is taught at Key Stage 3 and subsequently GCSE level in our Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre, with a specialist Dance Studio housing facilities such as barres, mirrors and a fully sprung Harlequin floor. As both a physical and expressive art form, Dance promotes fitness and well-being, supporting the development of confidence, creativity and self-esteem.
Our Key Stage 3 pupils study a variety of dance forms, including contemporary, street, salsa, physical theatre and Lindy Hop. They also develop an appreciation of professional dances including work choreographed by Matthew Bourne and Christopher Bruce and looking at companies such as Rambert, Stopgap and Phoenix Dance.
Pupils experience collaborating in small and large groups to choreograph routines; an emphasis is put on reflecting and refining their own work through analysis as well as developing their own physical skills and learning key terminology.
Pupils are encouraged to see a wide range of live performances, with trips organised throughout the two-year GCSE course. Dance workshops involving different year groups occur as part of the enrichment programme.
Drama at Abbot’s Hill
Drama provides an enriching, active learning experience, not only improving performance skills, but also building confidence and encouraging effective communication and self-expression.
Taught in our 200-seat Dame Judy Dench Theatre with dedicated studio, and with unique performance experiences in our outdoor amphitheatre, pupils enjoy practical and theory-based learning. A full-time Theatre Technician is on-hand to ensure the smooth running of top quality productions, and providing pupils with the opportunity to learn technical skills.
Through our carefully-constructed curriculum, we help pupils to:
- Develop greater self confidence
• Work and communicate effectively within a group
• Improve leadership and problem-solving skills
• Become more independent and responsible learners
• Build up knowledge and understanding of theatrical techniques and forms
• Explore issues in active, creative and imaginative ways
• Develop a greater awareness of themselves and others
• Analyse and evaluate their work, and listen to the ideas of others
• Develop physical and perceptual skills
Pupils learn to use space, movement and voice with imagination to communicate meaning, developing a range of techniques and skills required for credible improvisation and characterisations, and learn to structure an effective performance through rehearsal and self-evaluation.
Curriculum work is supported with regular and varied theatre trips including visits to West End Theatres and provincial theatres such as The National Theatre, The Lyric Hammersmith, Trafalgar Studios and Oxford Playhouse.
There are ample opportunities for those who wish to pursue drama in more depth outside of the curriculum through drama clubs, competitions and productions. The school also offers the opportunity to pursue LAMDA qualifications, which at the higher levels contribute to the UCAS University entry tariff.
Music at Abbot’s Hill
Making music is central to the culture of Abbot’s Hill; music is a core curriculum subject in Years 7-9 and GCSE option. Our dynamic department aims to fulfil the musical potential of every pupil, whether as a performer or a composer, fostering a love and appreciation for a wide variety of music. Pupils gain the skills and ability to express themselves musically, with regular performances in assemblies, concerts, workshops and recitals a key feature of school life.
The facilities for music are first-class. There are three dedicated classrooms, one of which is fitted with electronic keyboards. One also includes a Mac Suite devoted to computer music, using a range of composing software including the latest Sibelius Ultimate. A number of smaller teaching rooms are available for visiting and resident instrumental teachers and personal practice. The purpose-built Dame Judy Dench theatre has tiered seating for over 200 and a fully-fitted sound control room.
In all years, the courses cover the core elements of performing, composing and listening. A variety of topics is studied, including:
- The Blues
- Ground Bass Variations
- Songwriting
- Vocal Chants
- Samba
- Gospel
- Musical Notation
There are many opportunities to go on trips to local and West End theatres, workshops and attend other musical events.
We offer a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities including individual lessons on a variety of instruments. There are a number of music ensembles and choirs that regularly perform at school events such as our annual Carol Service at St Albans Abbey and Commemoration Day.
