KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL
CRE ATIVE ARTS AT KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL Opportunities abound for pupils to pursue creative interests both within the curriculum and through the extensive co-curricular programme. Superb facilities supported by expert tuition provide the backbone for excellence within which pupils’ individual talents are nurtured and challenged.
ART DEPARTMENT The Art Department is a wonderful, bright, spacious, energetic and inspiring space for all students to enjoy. The studios provide a relaxed environment to be creative whether that is First Years learning to record the world around them or the Sixth Form working in oils on large ambitious canvasses. The studios are flexible open spaces with specialised equipment allowing students to gain skills in a wide range of disciplines. We have three printing presses, a large kiln, a small darkroom, and a resource area with iMacs, PCs and a dedicated Art library. The department is adjacent to the atrium gallery so we can showcase the wonderful artwork that our students produce as well as hosting external artists.
ACADEMIC ART All First and Second Year students study Art and it becomes an option in the Third Year. Fine Art is a popular subject at GCSE and A Level where the possibility of studying Photography is introduced. We run many trips to the major London galleries as well as field trips to the Jurassic coast and Kew Gardens to act as starting points for portfolios. We have also run trips abroad with students visiting New York, Florence, Venice and Vienna. After studying Art many of our students go on Art Foundation Courses both locally at Art Schools like Arts University Bournemouth and further afield such as Falmouth School of Art. From these KES students have gone to a wide range of Art Schools to study degrees in illustration, graphic design, filmmaking and computer game illustration as well as fine art. We also have many of our artists going to study architecture at universities such as Bath, Cardiff and Sheffield. We advise on portfolio selection and subject specific interview techniques for all these. We also offer specialist advice for arts related EPQ.
CO-CURRICUL AR ART We offer a broad range of clubs outside of lessons to broaden and enrich those interested in Art in the widest sense. Character Design Club Biological Illustration for Sixth Form artists and biologists Architecture Society Life Drawing (for Sixth Form) Art Partnerships with local Primary schools. Hipsta Photography Club Stage Design Club We also support the Music and Drama departments to help design and build sets and props as well as designing programmes and posters.
ART SCHOL ARSHIPS These are currently available to students entering the school at age 11 and Upper School scholarships are also available. Portfolios are submitted in January and then potential students attend an art exam held in early February.
ART STAFF Mr G Piggott BA PGCE Head of Art Mrs N Moxon BA PGCE Mr E Lewis BA PGCE Miss A McGinn BA PGCE Miss E White BA Art Technician
DRAMA DEPARTMENT We passionately believe that Drama not only provides a creative outlet and intellectual stimulation but also helps to nurture vital life skills, such as teamwork, confidence and resilience. The Department is committed to providing the highest quality teaching and learning experiences for all students and we pride ourselves on the positive impact that we make on students’ lives. Our students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities in our new 400-seat Dobson Theatre, which has been equipped with Dolby surround sound and LED lighting. Students can also work in our more intimate black-box Twigg Studio, allowing them a choice of performance venues. The Drama suite also consists of two rehearsal rooms, dressing and make-up rooms and students can also work in the mirrored Dance Studio, which is perfect for physical or dance work.
ACADEMIC DRAMA All First and Second Year students study Drama once a week, where they follow a varied curriculum encompassing performance skills, directing and theatre design. In Third Year, students can opt to follow a one-year Theatre Studies course. This ever-popular foundation course aims to build on skills learnt in the first two years, as well as providing them with the skills and strategies that they will need to succeed if they choose to continue with the subject at examination level. Both GCSE and A Level examination courses offer a balance of practical and written work, providing students with opportunities to hone their skills in performance and design.
CO-CURRICUL AR DRAMA • Junior Drama Club • Stage Crew • National Theatre’s New Views playwriting course We run theatre trips throughout the year to London and local theatres. Upcoming residential trips to London and international trips will give students opportunities to learn and perform in venues beyond the school, providing cultural enrichment and advancing their skills beyond the classroom. Through streaming and digital theatre, we can transform the Dobson Theatre into a top-quality cinema, allowing students to experience productions from all over the world. There are many opportunities to take the stage. As well as whole-school musicals and Shakespeare plays, examination students have the chance to perform their work to an invited audience. Lower School productions, Sixth Form plays and the Second Year production ensure that all year groups have a chance to participate. Productions include: Beauty and the Beast, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol and Treasure Island.
L AMDA LAMDA lessons are very popular at King Edward VI School with students in all years. We currently have two LAMDA teachers working in the school and lessons are offered as an individual or as a pair with another student.
DRAMA SCHOL ARSHIPS These are currently available to students entering the school at age 11 and Upper School scholarships are also available. Auditions are held in early February each year.
DRAMA STAFF Mrs H Arnold BA PGCE Head of Drama Mrs H Hawker BA PGCE Mrs C Piggott BEd Mr N Mason Drama Technician Mr J Consterdine BA Theatre Manager
MUSIC DEPARTMENT We are a forward thinking department that provides an open, exciting and challenging environment for all students to develop as musicians. Standards are high and large numbers of students participate in a diverse and vibrant programme of musical activities. Students enjoy working in a purpose built suite of rooms with two fully equipped classrooms, 10 practice rooms, Recital Room, Recording Studio and a Mac Tech Suite. The department has 12 upright pianos and 3 grand pianos, including a new Steinway B, harpsichord, timpani, drum kits, orchestral instruments, a large variety of electronic equipment and a comprehensive library of music. There are many opportunities for students to perform in concerts at school, in the wider community and on tour abroad. There are also trips to concerts, opera and ballet in London, and musicians have the opportunity to work with professional musicians through regular workshops, masterclasses and side-by-side playing with groups such as Southbank Sinfonia and the London Mozart Players. Continental tours are a feature of the department and musicians have recently visited Vienna, Prague, Berlin and New York.
ACADEMIC MUSIC All First and Second Year students study Music and it becomes an option in the Third Year. Music is a very popular examination subject in the Upper School with large numbers taking GCSE Music and A Level Music, and achieving excellent grades. The Department has won the ISM’s Gold and Silver Awards for excellent participation and results in GCSE music. Every year pupils go on to study Music at leading universities or music conservatoires such as Oxford, Cambridge, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, King’s College London, Durham, Bristol, Surrey and Cardiff.
INSTRUMENTAL TUITION Approximately 450 students have one to one tuition at school, provided by a team of 30 visiting music teachers. Lessons are offered in all orchestral instruments, voice, kit percussion, classical and jazz piano, acoustic and electric guitar. The School is a centre for ABRSM and Trinity music examinations.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SCHOL ARSHIPS AND MUSIC AWARDS AVAIL ABLE FOR ADVANCED MUSICIANS These are currently available to pupils entering the School age 11 and 13. Auditions are held in early February each year. Sixth Form Music and Choral Awards are also available.
ENSEMBLES AND CO-CURRICUL AR MUSIC Symphony Orchestra Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra Chamber Choir Senior Choir Junior Choir Big Band Symphonic Wind Band Flute Choir Rock Academy Theory Club Chamber Ensembles
MUSIC STAFF Mrs H Freemantle MA PGCE Director of Music and Head of Creative Arts Ms I Anderson MA (Oxon) MSt (Oxon) PGCE Deputy Director of Music Mr J Belassie MA (Cantab) Miss S Barnett BA Music Administrator Mr H Kotch Recording Studio Engineer
DANCE Our co-curricular Dance provision at KES offers a range of styles for all abilities and our aim is inclusiveness and enjoyment. Each year, our dancers perform in the glittering Dance Gala and many of our dancers are invited to perform in assemblies and services in venues such as Winchester Cathedral. Our dancers have recently had the opportunity to work with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company, Birmingham Royal Ballet and have had workshops in African Dance, Bollywood, and Jazz Dance with West End Dancer, Omari Bernard.
DANCE STAFF Miss S Barnett BA Head of Dance
KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL Wilton Road • Southampton • Hampshire SO15 5UQ www.kes.hants.sch.uk