We strongly believe in the value of the arts in teaching children to think creatively, to acknowledge and question the world around them, and to help them make sense of it.
Art, Music and Drama are taught by specialist teachers and embraced by the pupils from Reception upwards. Children benefit from weekly class music and drama lessons as well as many choirs. We have a host of peripatetic teachers across a range of instruments which are available to all children throughout the week.
Ballet lessons take place on a Tuesday afternoon from 2.30pm - 6pm. Children as young as Nursery have the opportunity to take part in the classes.
Our pupils’ visual work is displayed in every corridor and on every wall throughout the school, while their talent in music and drama can be enjoyed regularly in concerts and performances which they work hard to perfect. Recent school productions have included Bugsy Malone and Matilda.
We encourage all our pupils to develop their self-expression and creativity through the Arts, giving them outlet for their feelings and a means to develop their sense of self and their perception of the world around them.
We are really proud to have been selected as a contender for 'Best for Art and Creativity' in the Week Magazine's highly acclaimed guide to the UK's leading prep schools in March 2021.
Music
We have a lively music department here at St Ives and all our children are taught by a specialist music teacher. We have a flourishing school orchestra and three choirs – Junior Choir (Years 1 and 2), Senior Choir (Years 3 – 6) and Chamber Choir (Years 5 and 6, by audition).
The children have the opportunity to learn a wide range of instruments in school with our excellent team of peripatetic teachers including piano, violin, flute, clarinet and singing. There are performing opportunities for the children all year round, in the Harvest Festival, Carol Service, nativities, Spring Concert, assemblies and in class music lessons.
In the summer term, the senior pupils perform in a musical production, which is a fantastic experience that stays with them forever.
Speech and Drama
Katie Nicholls looks after the thriving Speech and Drama and Musical Theatre departments at St Ives. As a former professional musical theatre actress (Starlight Express, Jest End, Nobody's Perfect, Boogie Nights, Grease) she is passionate about passing on her knowledge and inspiring the children, encouraging them to grow in confidence and discover their inner talents.
Speech and Drama lessons explore acting, speech and creative movement through fun script work, improvisations and poetry. the benefits of these lessons reach far beyond the classes and into all aspects of school and home life. St Ives also runs a LAMDA centre where the children are able to take yearly exams.
Musical Theatre lessons help explore singing and acting through song. These lessons are perfect for children who love performing and singing and the theatre! Children taking lessons build musical theatre repertoire and have the opportunity to perform their staged songs within the school year at concerts and LAMDA exams.