Welcome to Lathallan School

MUSIC

Our preparatory school has always had a strong focus on music, both as part of the curriculum and as an extra-curricular activity. Each class has one music lesson each week and activities vary between singing, using percussion and keyboard instruments to learning conducting skills. We have visiting specialist teachers for Voice, Violin and Viola, Drum Kit, Piano, Flute, Guitar and other instruments. Pupils learning an instrument in school are encouraged to perform in our weekly Friday Music Assembly, to which parents are invited. Our school choir meets on Wednesday afternoons and performs at our annual Carol Service and on several other occassions.

We are very proud of our school pipe band and give all pupils the chance to try these unique instruments. Form 3's (Primary 5) weekly music class consists of group drumming and chanter classes. Many pupils who have been given this opportunity then go on to take up individual lessons and move into the band. Two Pipe Majors and a specialist Marching Band Drum Tutor visit the school each week to give individual lessons and co-ordinate band practice.

DRAMA

At Lathallan drama is very much part of the core curriculum, as all pupils receive one drama lesson each week. Each Autumn the younger pupils in Pre-Prep 1,2, Form 1 and 2 (P1 to P4) begin work on what is always a spectacular Christmas play. Every pupil has a stage part and full participation is encouraged: our ethos is to enable everyone to “have a go” and along the way we discover some unknown talents.

The drama highlight of the year for those in Form 3 to Form 6 (P5-S1) is the annual school play which performs to packed houses at the end of the spring term each year. Last year’s production of Pygmalion was specially adapted by Head of Drama, Adrian Page, to incorporate some of the well known songs and scenes from the musical “My Fair Lady”. Every child had either a stage part or a defined backstage role . The end result was a spectacular show demonstrating wonderful comic timing, fantastic singing and some inspired choreography. In previous years the school has undertaken, to name a few, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Oliver” and a more modern play “Blast Off”.

Many children also opt to take extra-curricular drama lessons with a specialist teacher who visits the school each week. For two terms the children focus on developing different skills such as learning verse and prose, mime, improvisation and learning and performing short sketches. In the summer term, those who wish, work towards taking the examinations of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) .

ART

All pupils receive a double lesson of art each week allowing them to experiment with a variety of projects as they move through the school. There are opportunities amongst others in woodwork, modelling, watercolour, pastels, still life drawing and pottery. Artwork is displayed all over the school and there is a regular picture of the month competition with winners work framed and displayed in the castle hallway.

There is also the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular art and craft activities.