Performing Arts Programme with Local Primary Schools
Local primary schools have had the opportunity to engage with The Oratory's performing arts programme. Musical opportunities over the past few years have included a Jazz Day (with Mark Armstrong), Choral Day (with Alexander L'Estrange) and a Drum workshop. Drama opportunities have been given through free performances of The Oratory's recent junior school plays, Oliver and Matilda, and a roadshow of Macbeth.
Local secondary schools joined us for a drama partnership day with prominent theatre practitioners from Paperbirds, Frantic Assembly and Trestle. This was then followed by an Oratory Drama performance of The IT, an Eduqas GCSE Drama text currently being studied by all the schools involved.
Aims
To enrich the experiences of pupils from local primary and secondary schools and provide access to opportunities and experiences unavailable in their schools.
Background
The Head of Drama has built local connections through GCSE moderation with local secondary schools. Other opportunities have been developed by expanding opportunities offered to local partnership primaries.
For our Jazz Day, the Head of Music reached out to Mark Armstrong (Musical Director at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) who was performing at our Jazz Evening and proposed that during the daytime we offer a workshop for local schools.
Resources
- Use of the theatre and/or The Chapel for all events.
- Providing a range of drums and instruments for the drumming workshop.
- Oratory staff and pupils.
- Lunch/refreshments provided at no charge.
- Minibuses offered to schools for transport, also no charge.
Impact
Verbal feedback received from partnership primaries of how beneficial and inspirational the activities have been.
Our Jazz Day, which took place in March 2025, was particularly impactful for one local primary school. The whole Year 5 class attended as they had recently received funding from a local charity, Goring and Streatley Young Musicians Trust, to cover the cost of a whole year of class tuition in brass instruments. Our Jazz Day then helped cement their learning and gave them the opportunity to perform as part of a wider ensemble, learn improvisation and performance skills. One of the trustees from Goring and Streatley Young Musicians Trust also attended the day.
Pupil Involvement
- 11-15 year olds in the productions
- 15 year olds from secondary schools
- KS2 children from primaries
Frequency
- Jazz Day, Choral Day and the Drumming Workshop are biennial events.
- We run two Drama productions per academic year.