2025 -2026 Highlights: Junior School Drama

2025–2026 has been a vibrant and imaginative year for Drama in the Junior School. Pupils from Reception to Year 6 have developed performance skills, confidence and creativity through engaging lessons, group activities and a wide range of performance opportunities.

Reception pupils delighted audiences with their festive production of The Snowman. This heartwarming adaptation involved every child in a magical retelling of the much-loved story. Through music, movement and imaginative storytelling, pupils brought the characters and winter scenes to life, creating a memorable experience for families and staff alike.

In the Summer Term, Year 2 pupils performed an energetic adaptation of The Jungle Book, bringing Rudyard Kipling’s famous characters to the stage with enthusiasm and confidence. Through colourful costumes, lively songs and excellent teamwork, pupils captivated their audience and showcased their creativity, strong stage presence and developing performance skills.

Year 6 pupils dazzled in their Spring Term production of Oliver!. They delivered a flawless performance featuring strong lead roles, confident ensemble numbers and ambitious choreography. Working with a professional choreographer and a costume and set designer, pupils developed their understanding of the many creative elements that contribute to a successful production. The performance was a fitting celebration of their talent, creativity and progress throughout their time at the school.

This year, pupils also benefited from a range of enriching workshops, visits and transition experiences. Reception and Year 2 pupils took part in the magical Midnight in the Toyshop workshop, using imagination, movement and storytelling to bring characters and adventures to life. Year 4 and Year 5 pupils enjoyed a Wicked Wellbeing Workshop, exploring how drama techniques can support mindfulness, emotional wellbeing and self-expression.

As part of the transition programme with the Senior School, Year 5 pupils attended the Key Stage 3 production of James and the Giant Peach and took part in a Senior School Drama lesson, giving them a valuable insight into Drama beyond Junior School. Year 6 pupils were also inspired by attending the Key Stage 4 and 5 production of Hadestown, experiencing high-quality performance work and seeing first-hand the opportunities available to them in the years ahead.

Beyond the classroom, our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Drama Clubs provided opportunities for pupils to develop their improvisation and performance skills and showcase their work in whole-school assemblies. A particular highlight of the Summer Term was the Lights Up Parent Showcase, a devised performance entitled The Box of Delights. Pupils were actively involved in the creative play-making process, contributing ideas for script writing, staging, costumes and props, as well as exploring the technical elements of lighting and sound.

A welcome addition to the extra-curricular programme this year was the introduction of LAMDA lessons, which has proved extremely popular with pupils across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Through the study of verse and prose, pupils developed their communication, performance and presentation skills while building confidence and self-expression.

A Parent Curriculum Talk earlier this year highlighted how Drama lessons promote and support the development of oracy across the school. Through a range of drama strategies, pupils are given regular opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills in meaningful and engaging contexts. Activities such as role play enable pupils to speak in character, explore different viewpoints and develop expressive language. Through freeze frames and thought tracking, pupils articulate emotions, thoughts and motivations, helping to extend vocabulary and verbal reasoning. During group devising tasks, pupils collaborate, negotiate ideas and use discussion to shape performances.

From taking part in imaginative retellings of Where the Wild Things Are and performing Michael Rosen poetry recitals to exploring historical events such as the Great Fire of London, filming their own Charlie Chaplin-style silent movies, developing musical theatre skills through acting, dancing and singing, and devising their own detective plays, the Drama curriculum at Channing gives pupils the freedom to express themselves creatively while fostering collaboration in a safe and supportive environment.

Well done to all the pupils at Channing for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm in Drama this year!