Our Expressive Arts Programme

Through our three International Baccalaureate programmes, we provide a stimulating and challenging Expressive Arts curriculum.

At Southbank, we love the Arts and offer it across all three programmes. We recognise its immense value in nurturing creativity and self-expression. In our Expressive Arts Programme, our students study Performance and Visual Art and Music from Early Childhood onwards.

We believe the Arts subjects provide a way for our students to begin to express themselves, to foster their understanding of the world, and to develop a stronger sense of their identity.

Jump down to:

Performance Arts
Visual Arts
Media Studies and Film
Music
Extra-curricular Activities and Visits

In the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Expressive Arts is taught through inquiry-based learning, using a wide range of mediums to explore transdisciplinary themes.

Our students acquire essential knowledge, develop conceptual understanding and take action.They use the arts to express themselves and work collaboratively in drama, dance, music and visual arts.

Our Middle Years Programme (MYP) students from Grades 6 to 8 rotate through the year in all of the Arts subjects, including Media Studies. In Grades 9 and 10, they can select one Arts subject that they want to study for one or two academic years.

These Arts subjects can all be continued through to the (DP) Diploma Programme.

Expressive Arts are also offered as extra-curricular activities to further strengthen the IB curriculum and enrich our students’ educational and social experience.

Performance Arts

Performance Art stimulates our students‘ imaginations, challenges perceptions, develops creative, collaborative and communication skills, sharpens focus, fosters discipline, and refines analytical skills. Developing self-confidence and self-belief in theatre is at the core of the subject across all Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), and students of all ages have the opportunity to play an active role in these exciting opportunities for enrichment.

Being in the heart of London’s West End affords our students wonderful experiences seeing theatre and participating in world class practical workshops. Students have the opportunity to learn and experience both performance and production roles in both the classroom and in extra curricular activities. Some students go on to study theatre at university or drama school, whilst others can use the highly desirable transferable skills that studying theatre can bring.

Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts programme enables students to experiment with a wide range of media and explore techniques for making art. They develop new skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, photography and printmaking, and learn about important artists and artworks.

They also learn how to use their knowledge and skills to solve problems creatively, provide feedback on the work of others, and confidently share their experiences and ideas.

Trips to art galleries, museums, theatres and other venues are regularly organised to help students experience visual arts from all over the world. Artists are also invited into our campuses to discuss their work and inspire our students to go further in their learning.

Media Studies and Film

In the MYP Media Arts programme, students explore dynamic media with a focus on video, animation, audio production, and new media. There is a strong emphasis on fostering creativity. Through a balanced approach that includes investigation, idea development, and reflection, students develop not only technical skills but also a profound understanding of the creative possibilities within the media arts.
As students progress to the Diploma Programme (DP), our Film course provides a comprehensive study of film as a language and delves into theoretical perspectives to support creative filmmaking. The DP program encourages critical thinking, group collaboration, and individual reflection, preparing students for the complexities of the media and film industry. Students not only receive a solid academic foundation but also gain valuable insights and skills in the world of media and film. Our supportive learning environment allows students to explore their creative potential and grow as both scholars and artists.

MUSIC

The music programme across all schools focuses on composition and performance, and exposes students to music from different times and places. Our students are invited to demonstrate their level of musicianship and learn to share their music to audiences.

Our students start learning music from Early Childhood right through the school and can be taken at a standard or higher level in the Diploma Programme (DP).

At Southbank, students develop practical and communicative skills which provide them with the opportunity to engage in music for further study, as well as for lifetime enjoyment.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND VISITS

London as our classroom

As part of our Expressive Arts Programme, the school organises a wide range of trips, both in London and further afield. Our students not only visit art galleries, but also regularly participate in practical workshops. Our lucky students are also able to visit London's theatres to see live performances from world-class artists.

Arts Extra-Curricular Activities

During their time at Southbank, our students can participate in a wide range of excellent arts extra-curricular activities. These include theatre productions, animation club, concert band, movie club, painting and sculpting, photography, pottery, script writing, string orchestra, and many more.

Southbank is a school which fully endorses the arts. Creative thinking, which is essential for our 21st century learners, is at the heart of the Southbank curriculum school-wide.

– Judy Inskip, Visual Arts Teacher

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