Repton, School Dubai
Repton Dubai’s prospectus states:
“The Arts form an integral part of the Repton curriculum and are considered important to personal growth through cultural appreciation and artistic achievement. Therefore pupils are encouraged to nurture their talents and interests.”
Repton actively encourages students to participate in Music or Drama for Prep School onwards through both a taught core curriculum and via a range of Extra curricular activities. Repton believes that Music and the performing arts are a vital component of any school and the development of a fully rounded child.
The school aims for all pupils to have the opportunity to make the most of whatever musical aspirations they may have, by giving them the opportunity to learn instruments and take part in concerts and events, or sing in the choir.
The Music Department building at Repton equipped both for class music, for individual instrumental and singing teaching, and for ensemble rehearsals. Senior School pupils benefit from a Mac Lab which is equipped with twenty-two Apple Macintosh desktops, and Junior School pupils benefit from a comprehensive range of classroom instruments and specialist classrooms.
All pupils take part in music lessons from Early Years up to Year 8. These lessons broadly follow the National Curriculum guidelines for England and Wales. From Year 9 upwards Music is an optional choice for Early Entry GCSE level and later for the IB Diploma, for which Music may be taken at both Standard and Higher levels.
Ensembles include the Senior School Orchestra and Choir (known as Colla Voce), GCSE Ensembles and various ad hoc instrumental ensembles. The inter-House annual Sing Fest is a popular event in which the whole Senior School participates. The Junior School has its own String Orchestra, and numerous choirs and ensembles such as guitar groups and percussion groups.
Study of music is supplemented by a peripatetic music service through the Music Box, with teachers who specialise in a variety of musical instruments. Where required, pupils are able to use school instruments or can be assisted in acquiring their own. The school has well equipped music and practice rooms that provide the environment for teaching and learning and is an Examination Centre for ABRSM and Trinity Rock and Pop.
All pupils are encouraged to participate in drama productions at the school and several productions on a small and large scale are held frequently with a major production each year. Involvement can range from set design to stage management, sound lighting and stage direction, so pupils don’t have to be front of stage to get involved. The Drama department also leads regular excursions to theatres to watch plays and concerts.
Drama is offered to all pupils in the Senior School. Staff aim to make all pupils feel safe and adopt a ‘can do’ approach where they feel confident and able to express themselves through creativity.
During Key Stage Three pupils receive three 1 hour lessons per fortnight in which they learn a range of skills and explore different genres, cultures and mediums of drama and theatre. Once the pupils have learnt these specific skills, they are offered the option of doing Cambridge IGCSE Drama in Key Stage Four.
Cambridge IGCSE Drama is a two year course and builds on the skills learnt at Key Stage Three. Students explore practically and through theory more advanced aspects of drama. Year 10 is programmed as a mock year for year 11. The course is comprised of 60% coursework (split into three practical examinations) and 40% written. Students have to create two group performances with a maximum of 15 minute time limit and one individual piece that lasts maximum of 5 minutes. From September 2017, Repton will change to Edexcel GCSE Drama to fall into line with changes to the GCSE exams in the UK.
IB Theatre is offered at Key Stage 5 (years 12-13); students follow a rigorous course of exploration of a range of theatre practitioners, play texts and the social, historical and cultural aspects of different theatre traditions. Students in IB1 and IB2 work collaboratively to create performance work. The IB Theatre course is 100% coursework and is offered both at standard and higher level.
Repton does not offer Dance as a standalone subject, but it is included within the PE curriculum.
At a glance:
| Dance | Drama | Music | |
| Number of staff | n/a | 2 Secondary | 4 (2 Primary, 2 Secondary) |
| Grade/year groups taught | Taught as part of ECA programme | Years 7- 9 – 1 lesson per week taught as part of core curriculum;
Years 10-11 – iGCSE Drama option (changing to GCSE from September 2017); Years 12-13 – IBDP Theatre Studies Higher and Standard level options. |
FS1- Year 8 –1 lesson per week taught as part of the core curriculum;
Years 9-10 – GCSE (Early entry) Music option Years 12-13 – IBDP Music at Higher and Standard level options. |
| Instruments are taught as part of the core curriculum | n/a | n/a | Keyboard, percussion and guitar. |
| External Examinations | LAMDA under consideration | ABRSM, Trinity Rock and Pop |
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