All-round ethos sees a dramatic year for Spratton Hall – learn more at their October Open Day

The School, located in Spratton, Northamptonshire, is fortunate to have a 230-seat theatre with professional-quality sound, sets and lighting, giving the pupils a real taste of what it is like to tread the boards.

Although Spratton Hall has a reputation for academic achievement, the School takes an ‘all-round’ approach to education. This means that every pupil can find their own unique form of self-expression, whether this means playing in a team for one of the ten coached sports, taking part in one of the 16 musical ensembles and choirs, or discovering a love of the Performing Arts in Spratton Hall’s Drama Department.

Pupils at Spratton Hall have regular drama lessons from when they start in Reception, all the way up to Year 8, their final year. The drama lessons teach the children all about imagination, developing characters, storytelling, teamwork and performance, while encouraging discussion about current themes and issues. When they move into the Prep School in Year 3, they also have the choice to take part in extra-curricular drama lessons and have the option to book LAMDA lessons to hone their speaking skills.

The skills that they learn are regularly practised in class assemblies, where smaller groups perform a short dramatic piece in front of the whole school. However, the pupils get most excited about their termly year-group productions, which are performed in front of their parents and peers. These plays or musicals are produced as professionally as possible, with pupils learning about sound, lighting, costumes, props, sets, special effects and stage direction, to give them a rounded knowledge about the workings of a theatre.

The younger Pre-Prep children, aged from four to seven, put on their big shows on Mother’s Day and ‘Grandparents’’ Day, as well the traditional, annual Christmas plays. “Starting drama and performing in front of their peers and parents at such an early age, nurtures the pupils’ self-belief and gives them the ability to express themselves confidently and creatively”, says Patricia Hanford, the School’s Head of Drama.

Once the children reach the top of the school (years 7 and 8) they also have the opportunity to audition to take part in the ‘School Play’ which is usually a well-known musical. Pupils who would prefer not to act can volunteer to work backstage and learn some valuable lessons in theatre management and what it takes to produce a show.

Their production of Mary Poppins last March astounded audiences when Year 8 pupil Rosa, who was playing the titled lead, actually flew onto the stage using a system of harnesses and pulleys that are usually found in the West End. Next year they hope to start a flurry of excitement when they put on Frozen the Musical – any budding actors auditioning need to be aware that there will be regular Sunday rehearsals, which require the pupils to demonstrate dedication and commitment to the project.

Running in parallel to the musical and theatrical productions, the School also has regular informal and choral concerts to showcase the talents of the musicians in their 16 extra-curricular choirs and ensembles. The School’s musical calendar culminates each year in a biennial whole-school outdoor concert with a ‘picnic in the park’ vibe. This year’s theme was ‘The Best of British’ and pupils performed their favourite songs from contemporary artists like George Ezra and Adele, as well as crowd-pleasing classics from Queen, The Beatles and a medley of James Bond movie songs.

Spratton Hall’s commitment to drama is understandable when you realise that earlier in his school career Head Master, Simon Clarke, used to be Head of English and Director of Drama at Millfield Prep School. “Drama is an essential part of the curriculum at Spratton Hall, not only for the world of imagination and creativity it opens up for the children, but also the essential soft skills they learn from collaborating together, and of course the sense of achievement and pride that they gain from receiving applause from an enraptured audience.”

The theatre and all other facilities at Spratton Hall can be viewed on their forthcoming Open Morning on Friday October 6.

To find out more go to www.sprattonhall.com