Performing Arts

At Chapter House, pupils can enjoy a varied programme of performing arts taught by specialist creative arts teachers.

There are optional LAMDA and instrument lessons and the chance to take part in Drama and Dance clubs. On Saturday mornings, enthusiastic performers can join our Junior King’s Academy of Performing Arts club and work towards an additional annual show. 

Regular assemblies offer an opportunity for pupils to showcase their talents. In addition, whole school projects are organised around literature, where all age groups are encouraged to dress in costume and act out their versions of popular books and poems.

For older students, dance and gymnastic displays are a popular feature of our annual Gym and Dance Showcase and talented individuals can enter local and national competitions in their chosen discipline. Some of the other annual highlights of the academic year include QE’s Speech Day, the Chapter House Music and Drama Show and the Chapter House Nativity. These opportunities allow our students to perform in a variety of venues including our professional 312-seat indoor theatre, King’s Theatre.

Dance and Movement

Dance is taught to all students as part of the PE curriculum. Further dance classes are offered as a lunchtime club for Key Stage Two children, where students learn and practise routines for the annual gymnastics and dance showcase – a Collegiate-wide event – to an audience of over 500 people.

Children of all ages love performing and showing off their own dance routines at break times and in the Boarding Talent Show each year.

Students are also invited to watch and be inspired by those further up the school who compete in an annual dance and drama festival.

Drama

Children develop their understanding of texts and creative writing through drama activities within our standard curriculum and through opportunities to perform within school assemblies. In addition, ‘West End in Schools’ hosts a memorable drama workshop on-site every year for all our Chapter House students.

All children work towards a nativity and a summer play, and our annual Music and Drama Show allows students of all abilities to showcase their talent and passions to the whole school.

Our Key Stage Two pupils enjoy a theatre visit to watch a play each year, and all age groups can enjoy QE's annual musical, pantomime, and outdoor play, all of which are performed by students in Key Stages Three to Five on-site.

Outside of the curriculum, children can join our performing arts club where they work towards LAMDA examinations and performances. Many of our students earn distinctions at various levels whilst improving their self-confidence and love of the arts.