Kingswood School - A Way Of Life
There has been a lot of established research on the positive influence of Drama and the Performing Arts, especially on young people. This discipline can be beneficial for our physical, mental and emotional well-being while developing a healthy appreciation of culture and the Arts. Drama promotes communication skills such as vocal projection, articulation, tone of speech and expression, which can benefit students throughout their lifetime. It stimulates imagination and creativity and develops emotional intelligence and a better understanding of human behaviour in imaginary situations.
Catherine Nash, Head of the Drama Department at Kingswood School, talks about the rich Arts Education programme on offer, complementing the Kingswood way of life.
Every day, teachers continue to see students grow in self-esteem, create nurturing friendships and develop critical thinking allowing them to make better and more conscious decisions.
“As a Drama teacher I have a vested interest in the Arts and Arts Education. Kingswood has always been supportive of the Artistic departments and, as a result, we can provide students with so many rich and varied experiences.
When I joined in 2005, it was because Drama provision was being extended to Years 7 & 8. By the time I took over as Head of Department in 2014, this provision has been increased from one to two lessons a week. In recent years, as many Drama departments in the UK are under threat, we have been able to go from strength to strength because of the support from our Senior Leaders. As a result of this support and encouragement, we are able to run three productions a year, lead trips to local and international theatres, and run workshops, activities, comedy evenings and other one-off events such as the highly successful GCSE and A Level assessment performances. Students have artistic freedom to explore texts that interest them and to follow areas of study that challenge and excite them.
We are extremely fortunate that our numbers at both KS4 and KS5 are strong – students feel valued and supported in their choice to study Drama and as teachers we are able to provide them with a valuable foundation for their future studies at university and beyond. We can only do this because Kingswood appreciates what Drama has to offer beyond a knowledge of the theatre and performance skills. At Kingswood we will inspire a passion for creativity and provide you with the transferable skills you need to succeed.
Kingswood provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences, binding together those who have spent time at the School, students and staff, into a single community. The school days are energy-filled and packed with an extraordinary variety of activities, both academic and co-curricular, giving everyone a chance to discover their passions. Even the weekends are filled with opportunity to represent the School in sports matches, productions and concerts. As Catherine said: “you can do it all here – and we hope you will”
Whilst Theatres remain closed around the Nation, there is a wealth of brilliant productions, which you can now watch online while you stay safe at home, made possible by the National Theatre, The Globe, RSC, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and many more.
Isolation certainly has not stopped our Drama department from exercising its creative skills. Thanks to theatre companies active on social platforms, the department has been able to take part in various challenges and even create a virtual whole school production. Click here to watch the first episode of Kingswood’s Coronavirus Time Capsule, a week-by-week response to the pandemic from the eyes of our students, inspired by Company Three.
The exuberant and thriving Drama department at Kingswood School offers pupils of all ages the opportunity to develop a passion for the theatre while also developing the soft skills necessary for all walks of life. Drama is taught as a discrete subject to all year groups and is a popular option at GCSE level and for A-Level. To find out more about life at Kingswood School, visit www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk.
