The Arts

THE ARTS

At Maidwell Hall, we strongly encourage our pupils to experience and explore the Arts, both within lessons and through a vast range of extra-curricular activities, trips and competitions.

Art

Our art room provides a stimulating environment for creative exploration, giving pupils the freedom to develop their artistic potential. Children can experiment with a wide range of materials and techniques, including painting, drawing, graphics, printing, mixed media, collage, modelling, textiles and sculpture. In every art project, we set work in the context of art movements and artists, inspiring children with ideas from Impressionism, Fauvism, Surrealism, Cubism and Abstract Expressionism.

All pupils have the opportunity to exhibit their work in our popular summer Art and Design Exhibition. Throughout the year, the corridors and rooms of school are enhanced with beautiful displays of pupils’ artwork. The very best pieces are chosen for a semi-permanent exhibition in our dining room, and there is healthy competition among pupils to get their work into this display. We also give pupils the chance to enter their work into local and national art competitions.

Design

Design enables our pupils to enhance their mental and physical skills, to plan, design and construct their own models and objects. Pupils have been involved in designing and making everything from toys and trebuchets to powered boats and scale structural models. Our design facilities are regularly available for pupils to use to make anything they wish, under careful supervision.

Pupils work individually and in teams to bring their designs to life. This work includes preparing plans and elevations, technical drawing, working to scale and considering health and safety issues. Older pupils apply practical, creative and technological skills to the real-world challenges of designing for purpose, production and economics.

Drama

Drama is taught as part of the curriculum for pupils in Forms V, IV and III (Years 4, 5 and 6). These lessons focus on acting games and developing essential performance skills, before moving on to more advanced drama techniques.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)

LAMDA training is offered to help pupils develop their presentation, performance and public-speaking skills, which are important in so many aspects of life. Pupils are taught in weekly lessons by a highly experienced specialist LAMDA teacher. Tuition helps pupils to explore the world of acting, poetry and prose in performance, building confidence while enhancing their appreciation of literature, poetry and drama.

Pupils can choose to take examinations in communication and performance, including Speaking Verse and Prose; Speaking in Public; Acting; Shakespeare and Reading for Performance. Every year, parents and staff enjoy watching the pupils demonstrate their skills in our LAMDA showcase evening.