Enrichment

Drama

Participating in Drama productions helps to develop a range of life skills in our pupils, including self-confidence, imagination, concentration and memory training. These skills are learnt subconsciously when learning lines or practising a stage show.

Each year, the Christmas productions, performed by every year group, are much loved and always something to look forward. Pupils, parents and staff invest enormous amounts of time and energy into making these events special for everyone involved.

The ability to speak publicly with confidence is an important life skill and we encourage all pupils to take part in LAMDA training and exams. We also give them opportunities to experience professional theatre productions through our programme of trips and visiting theatre companies.

For children who are particularly interested in applying for Drama scholarships at their chosen senior school, we offer a Drama Scholars club where they hone their performance skills.

Forest School

Nestled within our own beautiful grounds is our secure forest area, in which our pupils love to don their wellies and waterproofs for exciting adventures in our Forest School.

With woodland stools and logs to sit on, a fire pit and a canopy of trees overhead, the Forest School provides a wonderful place to learn all about the outdoors. Discussing their natural surroundings, cooking on the fire and using all five senses to explore everything from bugs to trees mean that visits to Forest School are always popular.

Building and inviting a sense of enjoyment, wonder and transformation of their new surroundings help open our children’s minds to more than just the classroom. Building things from natural resources, learning about fire and water and examining strange creatures, all in the company of their classmates, provides that shared experience that is invaluable to their learning and development.

Music

SVPS offers a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom for children to develop and extend themselves musically. Our team of highly-skilled and experienced visiting music teachers offer individual tuition for a wide range of instruments and voice.

All children are encouraged to take up this offering, with great care being given through our system of free trial lessons to ensure the best choice of instrument for each child. Our teachers adapt their lessons to suit the needs and learning styles of the individual and will prepare children for solo and ensemble performances, as well as graded exams as appropriate.

Informal soloists’ concerts take place termly, so children gain experience and confidence as regular performers. There are a vast number of opportunities for participation in ensembles, such as our string and wind groups and the orchestra. The children are encouraged to join these just as soon as they are capable, to start as early as possible, building the important teamwork and co-operation skills that participation in these groups demands.

Regular School concerts provide performance opportunities for our ensembles when children who have not chosen to learn a musical instrument will also all take part in their year group’s choral performances. In addition, the Junior and Senior Choirs are open to any child who wishes to pursue their singing further and our auditioned Chamber Choir provides a forum for our most accomplished singers to extend themselves.

As well as performing at School concerts, we also participate in external performances, such as music festivals, workshops and through the School’s association with the renowned vocal ensemble Voces 8.

Sport

To enhance our Physical Education programme, we operate as many School teams as possible across a wide variety of sports. Competitive fixtures offer pupils the opportunity to represent their School in matches against other local schools, and help to promote excellence for county, regional or even national honours later in their lives. With various after-School clubs and teams to join, our children have ample opportunities to participate in sport, both recreationally and competitively.

We also host spirited internal House competitions, to promote a healthy rivalry between our pupils, to enjoy stretching and challenging themselves, regardless of ability. We are proud of our exceptional sports facilities and host many tournaments and events for our pupils and visiting teams from other Schools. Each year we finish the Summer term with the much-anticipated Sports Day!

See Sports Fixtures and Results

Clubs and Activities

We offer a host of after-School clubs. There is always a buzz of excitement around the School as the children rush off to their afternoon activity. Pupils can be seen clutching musical instruments, sports equipment, art resources, roller skates, tap shoes and golf clubs as they head off to the extensive variety of activities provided by our staff and excellent external providers.

We believe that membership of our many clubs and activities contributes to the happiness, and success, of our children both now, and in the future. These activities instil a sense of belonging and unity. Many of the clubs promote teamwork, sportsmanship and communication skills and this, in turn, leads to increased self-confidence and self-esteem along with promoting a healthier lifestyle. The activities also provide a further opportunity for pupils to express themselves creatively – whether it be in art, music, singing, dance, cookery or other interests.

Leadership

Throughout their School journey, our children are given a whole host of opportunities to develop and hone their leadership skills. Starting in Pre-Prep, each day a child is selected to be the ‘helper of the day’, where they are given specific tasks in which they must show and use leadership skills.

Progressing through the School, we encourage older pupils to mentor their younger peers, regardless of their age. In Years 3 to 6, pupils can be appointed to our extremely vibrant and active School Council. They meet regularly to organise whole-School events from charity days to eco-awareness weeks. School Council representatives also report to the Head with any concerns or requests the pupil body have expressed. Many School improvements have been instigated as a direct result of these requests.

In Year 5, we pair up our children with Year 2 children to help them transition into Prep. They will read and play with their buddies, offer support and answer any questions they may have. This provides a great opportunity for our Year 5 pupils to show empathy and act as good role models.

In Year 6, we elect a Head Boy and Head Girl each term, along with a team of Prefects. They are all given additional responsibilities, such as touring prospective parents around the site, taking care of the School animals and, on occasion, helping to lead some of the academic learning. They will help organise and represent School events, as well as make speeches at Open Day and Speech Day.