Several large-scale studies of school achievement have found a strong correlation between learning to play an instrument and academic success. One U.S. study found that students who participated in at least two hours of arts education a week (including music study) were four times more likely than their peers to have won recognition for their academic achievement.
S.B. Heath, 1999, cited in National Endowment for the Arts 2011 White Paper The Arts and Human Development
Music is a universal language that encourages one of the highest forms of creativity
Our high-quality music education engages and inspires students to develop a love of music. Amongst many other things It ultimately leads to self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.
Students in all Grade levels perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a wide range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. They learn to sing and to use their voices, they create and compose music on their own and with others on a variety of ‘classroom’ instruments and they have the opportunity to learn a ‘western style’ musical instrument. They are exposed to the use of appropriate music technology and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence by understanding and exploring how music is created, produced and communicated.
Engaging in music
Here at ACS we are expanding our opportunities for the whole community to engage in music. At the beginning of this academic year, we started an after school Rock Band club and more recently we started the ACS Jazz Band which meets at lunch times on Wednesday. All students, staff and parents are welcome to join us. Other initiatives in the “pipe line” are the possibility of a choir for Middle and High School.
We offer one to one tuition on a variety of instruments.
For further information please email Mr Robert Barlow at rbarlow@acs-schools.com
Drama develops our students to become inspired and passionate about the world of theatre
We are proud to provide Drama experiences both within and beyond the classroom for all ages in our school. Our Drama students develop as both leaders and supporters with stronger communication skills and greater confidence as they are essential skills for the 21st century.
In our co-curricular play and musical productions, which are highlights of each academic year, as well as through our participation in Drama competitions and festivals, students collaborate to solve problems and explore the key concepts and ideas that transform how our students see the world. In short, our students learn about theatre through making theatre.
From September 2020, as part of the IB Career Programme, we will be running school-based Film and Theatre courses alongside the LAMDA PCertLam and Grade 8 programmes. These courses will be offering core academic programmes in conjunction with industry level practical skills-based classes, which include costume, make-up & prosthetics, staging, sound design, and VFX & animation.
A dynamic Drama programme
Our Drama programme is centered on the National Core Arts Standards as it informs curriculum, instruction and assessment while ensuring student learning and achievement. We are proud to be a member school of the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA). As a result, we offer annual trips to attend theatre festivals throughout Europe to both Middle and High School students. Through ISTA, our students work with international artists in an environment in which international mindedness and cultural literacy can flourish through the interactions of students between people, place and perspectives.
We are also further developing our Drama programme to prepare students to earn LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) qualifications through their practical examinations in communication and performance. LAMDA also enables our students to earn UCAS points to support university applications while also fostering a steady improvement in self-confidence, vocal and physical technique, and language awareness in our students.
ACS Hillingdon students can take part in the Speaking in Public drama programme to learn skills in speech-writing, improvisation, and live performance, whilst the Shakespeare course also on offer covers elements of traditional Elizabethan theatre with enhanced interpretation and performance skills.
