At Redhill Prep, the expressive arts are not an optional extra, they are a cornerstone of our curriculum and ethos. At a time when provision for the arts is being cut from curriculums, we are making a deliberate choice to invest in it. We commit significant resources to bring in external experts who lead provision across the three main disciplines: drama for our juniors, music for the whole school and dance & movement for the Foundation Phase. This level of specialist input reflects our belief that the expressive arts are fundamental to a child’s education.

Our guiding principle is breadth and depth before specialism. Just as in sport, where children must first learn the skills and find joy in the game before stepping into the higher challenge of the arena, so too in the expressive arts we build strong foundations before asking children to take on a full-scale production. We are work towards “big shows” and ensure every child is ready to play their part. This way, no one is left standing on the sidelines. Every child has the opportunity to develop, whether they are naturally talented in this arena or still building their confidence and skills.

A core tenet of our approach is to offer regular showcases in drama, music, and dance. These provide meaningful opportunities for all children to perform, to share their progress and to feel the joy of being centre stage. Hallmark events such as the Nativities and Carol Concerts sit alongside these showcases, giving children experiences that grow year by year in ambition and complexity.

Beyond performance, we see the expressive arts as a powerful way of developing oracy, particularly the ability to speak your mind with clarity, expression and confidence. Whether through acting, singing or presenting, Redhill pupils are constantly building communication skills that will serve them for life.

We also place great emphasis on working with external instrumental teachers. Alongside whole-school music lessons, we offer a wide range of instrumental tuition, available from the youngest years. This ensures that children who wish to explore music more deeply can do so, with opportunities that are rarely available in other settings at this stage.

Ultimately, our aim is for every child at Redhill to discover their voice, their creativity and their confidence through the expressive arts. Whether they arrive with a natural talent or are just beginning to explore their abilities, every pupil has a platform to grow, shine and experience the pride and joy of self-expression. We want these experiences to be positive and stay with them long after they leave our school.