Art
The aim of the Art Department is to provide our pupils with a broad spectrum of skills and opportunities that harness their imagination, develop creative expression and help pupils find and fulfil their artistic potential.
Each summer there is an Art Exhibition which showcases work from across the whole school. This celebration of artwork embodies our ethos that there are opportunities in art for all.
For those that have a particular aptitude or interest there is a weekly Art Club where pupils explore different techniques, styles and mediums.
Our Art Studio has a Fine Art focus and is equipped with 2D and 3D media, including kiln and printing facilities. The department is flexible in accommodating pupils’ individual creativity and aspirations. In the Art Studio pupils are able to leave projects out at various stages of development and are welcome to come back in free time in order to work further on them.
An interest in art can lead to exciting cross-curricular opportunities and the Art Department is always fully involved in supporting theatrical productions, from making props and costumes to make-up and scenery. Many of our pupils also enter regional and national competitions to showcase their work.
Drama
Drama offers extensive opportunities within the performing arts that supports those who enjoy this medium as a hobby, as well as additional training and qualifications to those who would like to explore this subject further.
For Senior pupils the regular staging of musicals is a highlight of the Drama Department calendar. These large-scale productions involve a collaborative effort across various disciplines, showcasing the talents of pupils in acting, dancing and singing. They also provide an opportunity to explore the technical side of theatre, contributing to the lighting and sound of the production or costume and make-up.
Alongside the musical productions are smaller play projects and performances, allowing for a deeper exploration of the different dramatic arts. These projects often provide pupils with opportunities to take on diverse roles and experiment with different genres.
LAMDA for Senior pupils offers a structured approach to drama education, as well as UCAS points for university applications. It provides a platform for honing acting, communication, and presentation skills, contributing to the holistic development of pupils.
Music
Music is for everyone. At every stage we offer musical opportunities for our pupils and, whilst we hope that many will go on to take it at GCSE, participating in music-making is open to all. We wish for pupils to experience the joy of creativity, expression and imagination which music brings. Senior pupils can take part in choirs, all-comers or auditioned, as well as a jazz band, orchestra and other specialist groups.
There are a wide variety of visiting peripatetic music teachers, a vastly experienced group of dedicated and experienced musicians, many of them manage their teaching load on top of a thriving performing career.
Many of our pupils choose to undertake individual music lessons on one or more instruments including: piano, violin, cello, harp, flute, recorder, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, cornet, trombone, drum kit, electric guitar, acoustic guitar and singing. Termly Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) examinations are held in school.
For Senior pupils there are a variety of opportunities to perform using our ‘Performance Pathway’, in a setting that is comfortable for each person. This might be in a concert, House Music Competitions or forming a band with peers.
In addition to the regular traditions, such as the Carol Service, there are also yearly projects which bring together the various creative departments, such as the Shakespeare Festival, workshops with external specialists and trips to see professional performances.
Sport
Sport and Physical Education play an important part of everyday life at Westbrook Hay and there is an impressive range of options for pupils. The school takes great pride in its inclusive approach and all pupils are encouraged to pursue any sport that interests them. Westbrook Hay pupils are given support to develop and achieve to the best of their ability, competing at the level of competition that is appropriate to their progress. The PE curriculum is designed to promote positive attitudes to emotional, mental and physical health, which will remain with pupils for the rest of their lives. Senior pupils are given more choice in the sports they participate in as our model moves from one of ‘Sport for All’ through to ‘Sport for Life’ programme.
Sport for All
‘All’ means everyone involved, irrespective of ability. There is a focus on building a team ethos, where all pupils are given the opportunity to participate and play competitive sports together, against peers or other schools. Pupils also learn value of perseverance, with plenty of space and time given to late developers or newcomers to join in and ‘have a go’.
Sport for Life
For pupils in Upper Senior, 'Sport for All' moves to ‘Sport for Life’ and this change of ethos poses the question: what sports do you see yourself playing in 10 years time? For some, this will mean continuing with core sports of Football, Netball, Rugby and Cricket, for others this might be more specialised or individual, such as badminton, long distance running and climbing. Research shows that, the more sports teenagers are introduced to during those crucial years, the more likely they are to develop exercise habits that last a lifetime.
There are many extra-curricular sports on offer at the school, of which swimming is popular, and the school recently refurbished its heated outdoor swimming pool. The school also has a competitive swimming team and has been proud of various individuals who have represented Westbrook Hay nationally in recent years.
These additional sporting opportunities are provided via the Westbrook+ after school programme which regularly provides options such as: ballet, basketball, fencing, golf, shooting, skiing, squash, street dance and taekwondo, in addition to other opportunities on rotation and preparation for major sports the term prior to whole school participation.
Westbrook+
All Upper Senior pupils participate in our extensive Westbrook+ enrichment programme, where they have the opportunity to cultivate and refine talents, pursue current interests, or try something completely new.
Pupils can choose from a programme of a wide variety of endeavours which offers choice each term. Wednesday afternoons find pupils involved in something adventurous, creative, cultural or scientific.
At various points during the school year there is an evening programme that incorporates activities, societies and talks. Most societies and talks are linked to a particular academic department but some also offer insight into future career options, such as law and medicine.