Our Performing Arts Department is an energetic, creative and inclusive hub that strives to promote committed, passionate and diverse performances in music, drama and dance. We have one central goal: to encourage and foster a true love and enjoyment of performing for all.

The performing arts have the unique potential to bind a school together across year groups. Alongside this, the performing arts can enhance confidence and self-belief, promote self-expression and camaraderie, whilst creating a welcome and healthy diversion from the intensity of academic rigour. At St John’s, we foster an environment without prejudice or exclusivity; one that nourishes every pupil’s primary interest, while opening their eyes to new ideas and creating well-rounded musicians, actors, or dancers. Our staff are committed to helping pupils feel safe to express themselves artistically, while engaging and inspiring them through the joy of the performing arts.

What you choose to do in your spare time, defines who you are.

Oliver White, Director of Performing Arts

We are proud of our happy, welcoming, and kind department and what it achieves. Be that coaching an Upper Sixth pupil to follow a vocational calling into the arts or nurturing and supporting the youngest pupils in their first tentative foray into the arts. Several pupils have gained places with the National Youth Theatre, National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Choir and London Children’s Ballet and year upon year our pupils gain places at prestigious conservatoires and acting colleges.

47

Performing arts performances a year

32

Performing arts clubs and societies

4

Dedicated performing arts studios

As a school we are fortunate to have and enjoy excellently equipped performance spaces. Facilities include: our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre auditorium – complete with excellent sound and lighting equipment, the beautifully restored Old Chapel and Chapel, each housing meticulously maintained Yamaha grand pianos. The Performing Arts Centre is also home to a vast array of intimate performance spaces, peripatetic teaching, and practice rooms, two drama spaces, two highly equipped music suites and a recording studio.

In addition to the Performing Arts Department staff, the department is proud to have a committed team of 29 external teachers. They cater for pupils on a one-to-one basis, or in group sessions, across all instrumental categories, and for LAMDA acting and musical theatre.

The Performing Arts Department is best experienced in person, so we would be happy to welcome you at one of our wonderful, varied events across the year.

Discover What’s On

12000

peripatetic music and drama lessons annually