The arts at Highgate Junior School
We nurture creativity, including an exciting programme of music, drama, and art.
MUSIC
Inspired by our vision that ‘music is for all’, we offer a range of musical activities that anyone can access, regardless of their entry point. From Year 3, all our pupils learn a stringed instrument as part of our Junior Strings Project. However many, across all years, also take individual instrumental lessons.
We have a range of instrumental ensembles to cater for musical preferences and strengths, including Junior Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Junior Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Group and several Jazz Bands.
We provide a clear choral journey for our Junior School pupils, with vocal ensembles to cater for all types and styles of singing. There are regular performance opportunities throughout the year, including informal concerts each term for pupils who play instruments.
'Music is excellent, a real strength with fabulous playing opportunities - bravo!’ Junior School parent
'Through Drama, students build vital skills like confidence, creativity, and teamwork' Junior School Drama Coordinator
DRAMA
Drama is a dynamic and exciting subject, taught as a separate lesson each week.
Alongside our bespoke and varied curriculum, every year group works towards their own performance, ensuring students develop both on and off-stage skills.
In Year 3, pupils start with a small play, progressing to a mini musical in Year 4, a devised performance in Year 5, and culminating in the grand finale – a full-scale musical in Year 6.
In addition to acting and performing, children can explore off-stage roles, such as creating props, set and costume in Props Club, or learning to operate our professional lighting rig.
500
Highgate offers a cycle of concerts, recitals
and drama performances during the year
involving over 500 pupils of all ages.
ART
Art is a way to further develop a pupil’s understanding of different disciplines and expose them to new and engaging topics. It is delivered across our Junior School by a specialist teacher in a dedicated classroom, with lessons seeking to foster interest, as well as skill, in many different forms of art.
As our pupils progress through our Junior School, their knowledge and understanding of art is expanded to include a variety of visual mediums. Our School lends itself well as a gallery to exhibit each and every pupil’s artwork, as individual pieces or as combined installations.