Speech and Drama
Another successful year for important programme
As we approach the end of an amazing year for Speech and Drama at Rydal Penrhos, there has never been a better time to be involved.
Over the past twelve months, we have seen a number of fantastic Speech and Drama achievements, from a dazzling Senior LAMDA Celebration Evening on Thursday 2 March to an outstanding set of results at the Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts, from which Rydal Penrhos pupils took home 14 first-place awards, along with 8 second-place finishes.
Pupils who follow the Speech and Drama pathway not only gain skills and experiences, but also work to achieve UCAS-accredited LAMDA-qualifications, which can tangibly boost university or job prospects. In the summer of 2022, the school returned its best-ever set of results; from the 42 candidates in total, 37 achieved the highest possible grade of Distinction, alongside a 0% fail rate.
Of course, the success of the Speech and Drama program is about much more than an excellent set of results in an examination or competition. It is about the positive change it engenders in our children and young people, both in- and outside the classroom.
More than simply building pupils’ skills in performance, presentation and communication, Speech and Drama can have a transformative impact on self-confidence, self-expression and ability to work and thrive in a team. Participating in Speech and Drama can help develop a child’s speaking and listening skills, creativity, and imagination; the very skills that, in this fast-paced and highly interconnected modern world, young people will find invaluable as they navigate education and the workplace.
With this in mind, it seems no surprise that so many of our new Senior Prefect Team are devoted Speech and Drama students. This includes Heads of School Ruby Merrick and Will Tavernor, the latter of who, has a Distinction in his Grade 7 LAMDA qualification, and Deputy Heads of School Lily Davies and Eve Durrans.
The all-around qualities that we look for in our pupil leaders are exactly those that Speech and Drama explores on a weekly basis. The more pupils practice the key skills of communication, presentation and teamwork, the better they fare when tasked with applying these concepts outside their lessons.
“Speech and Drama helped my daughter gain the tools to express herself with confidence and self-assuredness. Now that she is older, more-and-more I can see how positive this has been for her, particularly as she embraces new challenges and responsibilities.”
How Your Child Can Get Involved in Speech and Drama
Whether your child is joining the school for the first time, is preparing to moving into Year 7, or has been with the school for many years, we would encourage you to see the benefits of Speech and Drama for yourself.
Booking is now open for the new academic year in September, plus there are a select number of spaces available for the second half of this term, if your child would like to get a taste of Speech and Drama lessons before embarking on a full year after the holidays.
Lessons are available for pupils from Year 2 and above, primarily in pairs or small groups, although individual sessions are also available. Pupils who join before the start of the programme each September receive 30 lessons per year (or 10 per term). Lessons take place on a weekly rota basis during or after the school day and are led by Mr Robert Edwards in the Prep and Ms Christina Bloomfield for Seniors.
Mr Edwards has studied with the Royal Shakespeare company, graduated from the Arden school of Theatre Manchester, and has recently worked with the Kristin Linklater Voice Centre of vocal training after his 5 years of touring Wales and England with multiple projects of applied theatre.
Meanwhile, Ms Bloomfield brings over 30 years’ teaching and professional experience to her practice. Aside from teaching, Christina’s career has included work as an adjudicator, director, Drama Therapist and voice-over artist, and she is still active as a Communication Coach.
If you wish to sign-up, or have any questions about the Speech and Drama programme, please feel free to contact either Mr Robert Edwards at mredwardsrydal@gmail.com or Ms Christina Bloomfield at info@bloomfieldacademy.co.uk.
