Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts play a vital role in the life of the School. Aside from bringing enjoyment and fostering numerous transferable skills, the ability to think and express creatively is ever more fundamental to a whole range of career paths.
At Ibstock we offer a wide variety of inclusive and exclusive opportunities to allow every pupil, regardless of age or ability, to discover and develop their creative talent or passion.
Dance, Drama, and Music form a busy and vibrant Performing Arts faculty with regular termly performances.
Our thriving Art department provides opportunities to experiment with and explore a range of mediums, with regular opportunities to exhibit.
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MusicPupils who may not come from a musical background will likely find something that speaks to and inspires them. Whether it’s Classical Musician of the Year, Rock and Pop or top-class musical theatre, all receive equal emphasis and recognition. Music can often be heard in the school corridors or out in the Orchard, with several hundred pupils playing an instrument, high-profile termly ensemble concerts and regular, more low-key soloist platforms. There are also over 140 pupils in our hugely popular Ibstock Singers. In addition to our Ballroom and state-of-the-art Theatre, the School boasts 3 well-appointed classrooms with specialist recording equipment and twelve practice rooms including our unique Armadilla Pods. |
Highlights in the musical calendar include international tours, our entirely pupil-led House Music Competition, Classical Musician of the Year, the ever eclectic Performers Platform, Liederabend (annual celebration of languages and song) as well as Dance and Drama collaborations, most recently for We Will Rock You and Imaginary.
| Music Ensembles | |||
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There are numerous ensembles at School, including: Ibstock Singers, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Big Band and various Rock Groups and Chamber Ensembles. Ensemble players have regular opportunities to perform, such as at termly concerts, Performers Platforms, School competitions, Assemblies and PTA events, including the popular Jazz Café and May Fair. |
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| Music Clubs | |||
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| Individual Music Lessons | |||
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The benefits of learning a musical instrument are well documented. There has been much research to show that music lessons have a disproportionately positive impact on academic attainment. Several hundred pupils take instrumental lessons on a large selection of instruments, including Violin, viola, cello, double-bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, oboe, recorder, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, guitar, bass guitar, piano, jazz piano, percussion and voice. We also offer both classical or contemporary singing lessons. |
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| Music Tours | |||
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This year the Ibstock Singers will be heading off to Umbria but in recent years they have enjoyed successful tours to Malta, Prague and Vienna. They also regularly sing services at Southwark Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The Big Band has an annual gig at the Bull’s Head in Barnes, one of the country’s iconic jazz venues and Ibstock Symphony Orchestra makes regular trips to London’s top orchestral venues to hear some of the world’s leading orchestras rehearse and perform. |
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| The Berkley Ensemble, Ibstock Ensemble in Residence | |||
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Hailed as ‘an instinctive collective’ (The Strad), the Berkeley Ensemble was formed in 2008 by members of Southbank Sinfonia, Britain’s young professional orchestra, with the aim of exploring the wealth of little-known twentieth- and twenty-first century British chamber music alongside more established repertoire. It now enjoys a busy concert schedule performing throughout the UK and abroad and is also much in demand for its inspiring work in education. We are delighted that the Berkeley Ensemble’s association with Ibstock Place School includes:
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Drama
The Drama Department organises a tremendous range of activities and opportunities.
In a typical calendar year we host Lower and Upper Senior productions, a Senior 10 production, termly LAMDA showcases, and a House Drama competition which sees pupils write, produce, and perform their own plays.
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'We offer outstanding opportunities for pupils, whether centre stage or behind the scenes.' |
Recent productions have included Romeo and Juliet (branded ‘a triumph’ by the Tatler Good Schools Guide), Sense and Sensibility, and a mammoth production of Annie with a cast of 120. Calendar year 2022/23 saw sell-out productions of We Will Rock You (Upper Senior Production) and Imaginary (Lower Senior Production). Ibstock pupils regularly take up places as members of the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre.
Facilities
Our magnificent main theatre comprises a stage, auditorium, and gallery with seating for up to 250.
Facilities include an orchestra pit, extensive foyer areas, green room and dressing rooms. With two further studio theatres and two full-time theatre technicians, we offer outstanding opportunities for pupils, whether centre stage or behind the scenes.
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
LAMDA lessons and examinations are exceptionally popular across the entire pupil body with stellar results to match.
As the oldest and one of the most prestigious drama schools in the country, we are incredibly proud of the large number of pupils from Prep 3 upwards, who take classes with our specialist teachers.
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In the most recent examinations 86% of pupils achieved distinctions. |
All examinations support pupils to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge, not only in performance but also speaking in public, development of language skills, appreciation of literature and working as part of a team.
Dance
Dance is very popular, with an increasing number of styles on offer and lessons run by specialist teachers.
A highlight of the annual Dance calendar is our whole school Dance Show. This year’s show ‘Awakening’, was a chance to showcase a variety of dance techniques and choreography, bringing all ages together.
In addition to co-curricular lessons, pupils enjoy workshops from visiting companies such as the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) and trips.
We offer a wide range of co-curricular classes for all year groups after school on Monday – Thursday each week.
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Art
In our dedicated School of Art and Design building pupils enjoy a broad curriculum that enables them to explore and develop a diverse range of skills, spanning painting, drawing, and sculpture to printmaking and working with clay.
Visiting artists are regularly invited to share unusual approaches and techniques. Pupils also benefit from visits to world leading London art galleries and museums as well as attending talks by internationally renowned contemporary artists such as Grayson Perry or Cornelia Parker. Art is ever popular at GCSE and A level, with impressive results at both levels.
Explore our Sixth Form
