Performing & Creative Arts

As a performing and creative arts specialist academy we are committed to excellence in art, music, drama, dance and design technology. This means excellent facilities and – most importantly – excellent teaching within these subjects. We believe performing and creative arts provide essential cultural knowledge to our students and develop a wide range of talents, helping them become confident, expressive communicators. Universities increasingly require applicants to demonstrate these skills and provide examples of success that are not purely ‘academic’.

If you are interested in a place at KAA for a year 6 student, please look at our PCA admissions route here. This route is for parents of children with talent and an interest in the Performing Arts. All other applications should be made through RBKC in the normal way.

Drama

One of KAA’s education partners is the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). We harness the expertise of this partner to give students opportunities that you would rarely find at state school. Through LAMDA, our KS3 students receive tuition in public speaking and drama.

Our students also benefit from:

  • Theatre trips examples include: Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Court and West End Shows
  • Annual House Drama competition
  • Workshops and theatre experiences with professional actors and local theatre companies such as Chickenshed
  • Annual summer production – High School Musical 2022, Hairspray 2019, Little Shop of Horrors July 2018, Bugsy Malone 2016, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 2015
  • Drama enrichments including Playwriting, School Production and Drama Club

Music

At Kensington Aldridge Academy, we believe in the power of music to inspire and transform lives. Our vibrant music department is dedicated to nurturing musical talent and fostering a love for music in our students. We are proud to be supported by esteemed partners such as the Tri-Borough Music Hub (TBMH), Royal College of Music (RCM) and Restore the Music UK.

Our Offerins​gs

  • State-of-the-Art Recording Studio: our cutting-edge recording studio provides students with a professional environment to explore their musical creativity.
  • Compose with MacBook Pro Laptops: unleash your musical potential using the industry-standard Logic Pro X software on our MacBook Pro Laptops.
  • House Music Competition: join our annual House Music competition and showcase your musical prowess.
  • Music Theory Lessons: delve into the intricacies of music theory through dedicated lessons.
  • Live Music Excursions: immerse yourself in the world of live music with regular trips to renowned venues such as Cadogan Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
  • Collaborations with Royal College of Music: participate in enriching workshops and events in collaboration with the Royal College of Music, including the Year 9 GCSE Taster Day.
  • Youth Action Alliance Collaborations: explore exciting musical avenues through collaborations with YAA.
  • Expert Tuition: benefit from personalised 1-1 music tuition provided by professional peripatetic musicians. Learn to play instruments such as piano, drums, guitar, singing, saxophone, violin, and flute.
  • TBMH Collaborations: engage in workshops, trips, and unforgettable concerts at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in partnership with the Tri-Borough Music Hub.
  • Instrument Loan Program: access instruments through the TBMH’s instrument loan program, ensuring every student can discover their musical passion.
  • Music Enrichments: join our diverse range of music enrichments, including the KAA Choir, KAA Band, Production Orchestra, Keyboard Club, and Music Tech Club.
  • In 2018 the academy collaborated with Gareth Malone and the cast of the West End’s Hamilton to create an original musical about the history of the school. This was documentated in the BBC2 documentary “The Choir: Our School By The Tower”.
www.tomcraig.com

Dance

We have developed our dance curriculum and extra curricular activities through the academy’s partnership with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). Our dance provision is growing quickly, with the number of genres we teach being added to each year. Royal Academy of Dance teachers work with us to deliver enrichment classes to our students each week.

Our dance department provides:

  • Annual workshops with the Royal Academy of Dance (including Year 9 GCSE Taster Day in January and KS3 choreography workshop in June)
  • Regular theatre trips including the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells Theatre and a range of West End Shows
  • Annual House Dance competition
  • Dance enrichments, including Dance Production, Step into Dance (an external enrichment which is run by the Royal Academy of Dance) and the Intrepidus Dance Company (students represent the school at various competitions such as ‘The Great Big Dance Off’ and ‘Make Your Move’)

Art

The Art department are proud to be able to offer a broad curriculum, working closely with local artists and galleries, with a strong emphasis placed upon contemporary art. Students are given the opportunity to study Fine Art, 3D, Textiles and Printing.  The curriculum is challenging, inspiring, and enables everyone to achieve their full potential and much more.

The art department provides:

  • Collaborations with local artists and galleries
  • Regular gallery visits such as Tate Britain, National Portrait Gallery and many others
  • Annual House Art & Design and interim art competition
  • Annual summer art show
  • Enrichments including Textiles and Art Clubs

Design & Technology

Design is a fundamental and essential part of every day and wider society. It has never been more current and valuable to 21st Century learners. The D&T department is committed to teaching students the value and importance of quality design, and the impact of their decisions as designers and consumers.

The design and technology department also offers:

  • An annual House Art & Design competition, as well as interim house competitions
  • Workshops and design museum trips
  • Drop down ‘PCA’ days involving D&T workshop elements
  • Enrichments including  Cooking Club, Knit & Stitch, Production Set Design and Young Designers Club

Students can find out more about the latest performing arts news on KAA Online at: https://sites.google.com/kaa.org.uk/kaaperformingarts/home 

 

© Kensington Aldridge Academy 2024