Congratulations to the students who received VPA Ambassador Badges,

Postcards and Certificates for their creativity in, and contribution to, the Arts at

Larkmead during 2015-16

is to , inspire and students.

Larkmead has had another productive and creative year as an Arts Council ArtsMark Gold School of Excellence in the Arts demonstrating our commitment to quality arts provision increasing student confidence and creativity, enabling them to enhance their experiences of, and improve attainment in, other subjects.

This year VPA has embarked on an exciting project around the theme

of ‘Telling Stories’ with a grant from ArtsWork. Working with our Yr7 and Yrs 5&6 from four Primary schools—Caldecott, Carswell, Marcham and Thameside—the project has enabled students to take part in exciting Arts activities and develop important learning capacities which aim to increase

self-confidence. Working with the English department and visiting storytellers on developing storytelling skills, children have then interpreted their schools chosen story through workshops in all our four major Arts disciplines. An Arts Festival to celebrate their hard work, with performances and exhibitions for parents, gives students the opportunity to participate and be an audience too.

Supported with investment from Artswork, the South East Bridge and with support-in-kind from RM Education and Taylor Francis Publishers

GOOD Ofsted Rating

“the quality of teaching …….. is consistently at least

good and some of it is now ”

VPA reflects the values of our school community and the 5R’s, a caring community built on trust and respect, where every

student matters, with support gratefully received from our wider community of Partnership Schools, Lark Rise PTA, Parents,

Alumni, Charities, Trusts and Companies, who we hope to continue to develop our relationships with as we enter into

another exciting year for Larkmead students and the Arts

Larkmead School Visual & Performing Arts Newsletter

2015-16

Year 7 Brazilian Cultural Arts Day: An exciting range of Brazilian cultural activities for Year 7 students to link with the ‘Multiculturalism’ unit of work within their Humanities lessons, looking at how, when and why the Arts are used in Brazilian culture, the host country for the 2016 Olympic Games. Workshops led by visiting artists and Larkmead teaching staff with: Capoeira Dance by Soul Movement Capoeira dancers from Oxford, a martial art infused dance and cultural icon from Brazil; Samba Drumming by World Beats Music from Abingdon, exploring the traditional, strong carnival rhythms of Brazil; Drama creating pieces based on the movements of athletes in the Olympics; Carnival Head Dresses inspired by Brazilian street costumes worn in the carnival parades.; Samba Carnival Dance, performed as a street dance at the carnival in Rio where there are "schools of Samba" involving thousands of elaborately-costumed dancers; and Brazilian Street Cooking.

Year 9 Indian Arts Day: Demi Ladwa and her Indian Arts company of dancers, drummers and artists returned

to Larkmead for a great day where students experienced workshops linking with the ‘Multiculturalism’ unit of work within their Humanities lessons including: henna tattoo, tabla drumming, Bollywood and stick dance, Indian storytelling through shadow puppets, rangoli bead art, and Indian cooking. A day of exciting events, tastes and sounds, developing their knowledge and understanding in Indian culture and the arts.

“Today has helped build my confidence so I’ll be able to participate in other subjects by putting my hand up if I think I know the answer”

“I enjoyed all the activities because they were different to what we normally do and helped me use my imagination more, as well as learning about a different culture”

“The workshops have helped me become more careful with my work and more co-operative. I now know I’m capable of doing things outside my comfort zone.”

Arts for All ‘Telling Stories’ Primary Partnership Project: Working with the English department VPA have been using art, dance, drama and music for students to interpret their

stories through the Arts. Larkmead Yr7 students have been writing their own stories with a dilemma, creating ceramic

story pots and looking at the Chinese myth The Magic Paintbrush; Caldecott have been looking at Egyptian Creation myths;

Carswell have been interpreting the Jabberwocky poem; Marcham have been exploring Global Issues; and Thameside have

been studying the Greek myth Theseus and the Minotaur.

Dance Department

Rambert Revealed—Day of Dance Trip to London: Students studying dance at Key Stage 5 were able

to spend the day having unprecedented access to Britain’s national dance company, Rambert, a

unique collection of 22 dancers among the finest in the world with backgrounds in both classical

and contemporary dance. The day included Q&A with Christopher Bruce, one of Britain’s leading

choreographers and the chance to observe him rehearsing for their production Rooster, a tour of

Rambert's building and a Rooster workshop.

“It gave me motivation to get where I want to be, with an insight into how professionals work, the importance of focus

and discipline, and how it can relate to my rehearsals”

“A once in a lifetime inspiring opportunity which helped me with my control, co-ordination and movement memory”

Chameleon Dance Workshops: Boys from across all Years

took part in a physically demanding, high paced workshop, including a

three minute plank as part of their warm up. They learnt a powerful piece

of contemporary male dance with choreography from the Company’s

‘Beauty of the Beast’, adding their own style, moves and vocals.

“I learnt endurance and very fast choreography”

“I feel more confident about dancing freely and improvising my own movements”

“A unique experience, full of energy and new moves to add to my own dance routines”

DanceFest: Another amazing evening of dance from

Larkmead students across all years showcasing their

choreography and dance skills to an audience of family and

friends. Yr11 also shared their GCSE exam work covering a

range of styles.

“It’s my first year at Larkmead and I love dance! It was

good to dance in a show with older students”

“Dance Fest was great fun and made me feel more confi-

dent about dancing in front of a big audience”

Yr7 Storytelling through Dance: As part of the ‘Telling Tales’

Arts for All project Yr7 explored the story of Theseus and the Minotaur and The Trojan Horse through dance.

‘SAFE’ Dance performance by Zoielogic Dance: GCSE

students gained an insight into professional dance with this exciting,

dynamic and vibrant new piece at the Corn Exchange Theatre.

“I will put more emotion into my dance and trust people more“

“I was inspired by the different ways they use props and to try new moves”

Performance Evenings:

AS/A2 students performed work inspired

by Rooster, alongside solo and group pieces Flux,

Safe Travels, Bella figure, Fury and Ghost Dances.

Music Department

Christmas Concert: GCSE Music students and vocalists, alongside the school choir

and band, vocal and instrumental soloists, the staff choir and band, all worked really hard preparing for the Christmas Concert and put on a fantastically festive evening for everyone.

“I always love taking part in the Christmas music performances. We have fun and make people feel happy.”

Carol Service: The Choir and

Band Carol Service for parents and the community at St.Helen’s Church.

Carols in the Community: Students and staff took their Christmas

cheer out into the community, this year visiting

Abingdon Community Hospital and the Stroke Society.

“I wish to express our sincere thanks for coming to

sing carols to patients at Abingdon Hospital. Your

singing was much appreciated by both patients and

staff, you all sang beautifully.”

Audio Soapbox with OCM: Larkmead students participated in ‘Find Your Voice’ a

nationwide project to create a performance piece with Spoken Word and Music organised by

Oxfordshire Public Libraries, in collaboration with Oxford Contemporary Music and visiting

artists. Students created musical soundscapes by recording their surroundings, voice and

instruments, exploring where they have come from, where they want to go and what they

want to change. The final piece was exhibited at Oxford Central Library and is now on

permanent display in our Library.

“A really great experience which taught me how to speak my mind and be more

confident. I think it will help me debate and speak more freely in other subjects.“

“I enjoyed the spoken word and improved my software skills to edit our voices and beats”

KS 4&5 Awards Evening: Larkmead was delighted for Alumni Jessica Dipper, now studying Music at the

Academy of Music & Sound in Birmingham, to perform for us at the KS 4&5 Awards Evening.

EMI Music Fund: Thank you to the EMI Music Sound Foundation for a grant to buy new instruments.

Storytelling through Percussion: As part of the ‘Telling Tales’

project Yr7 students took

part in an exciting

percussion workshop with

folk musician and

percussionist Jo May.

Students performed

percussion and conducted

their group to illustrate the story of ‘The Magic Paintbrush’.

Drama Department

Cotswold Wildlife Park Trip: A chance for students to develop analysis and observation skills and work

towards effective characterisation, developing characters based on animal movements. The work from this trip really enhanced their characterisation in class where they used their character to create original monologues and duologues. “I learnt how to concentrate for longer, focusing on movement and developing my ideas independently”

A2 Performing Arts Students talk by Alumni Sam Pearl: A’level Performing Arts students had the chance to

talk to Sam about working in the industry, having studied Performing Arts at Larkmead from 2002-4, and then doing a Degree in English and Drama at Bristol. With further training at Oxford School of Drama, Sam then worked on the Disney Channel, performed at the National Theatre and in New York. This year she performed at the Oxford Playhouse in Brave New World, followed by its national tour.

Drama Trip to see Annie: Yr7 and students taking part in our Whole School Production of Annie had an extra

Christmas treat with a visit to see Annie the Musical at New Theatre Oxford. An exciting Performing Arts experience and a chance for the cast to be inspired for their own performances here at Larkmead.

Physical Theatre Workshop: A chance for A’level Performing Arts

students to learn the different mechanics used within physical theatre and the

importance of spatial awareness, working with a professional dancer.

“I learnt about characterisation, to trust others and to have more faith in

myself”

“The workshop gave me a greater understanding of how physicality can

enhance my character in theatre which will heighten the experience for our

audience.”

Storytelling workshops: As part of the ‘Telling Tales’ project Yr7 students took part in workshops looking at

storytelling. Focusing on dilemma in ‘The Magic Paint Brush’ they learnt new storytelling skills which they used in English and Drama lessons to write and perform their own stories.

“The workshop was great fun, especially making up our own stories and acting them out”

“It was good learning about dilemma and the different paths a story, or your life, can take depending on important

decisions you, or your characters, make”

Performance Evenings: As part of the Performing Arts A‘level students presented a verbatim theatre piece

inspired by About A Boy, giving an

evening of moving performances.

A2 Drama students performed

work inspired by Airswimming.

They excelled themselves,

demonstrating versatility and

accomplished performance skills.

Art Department

A2 Paris Art Trip: A’level art students had the opportunity to visit Paris and be inspired by the Louvre, Musee

d’Orsay, Centre George Pompidou and Musee Marmotton.

Modern Art Oxford Yr10 GCSE Workshops: Larkmead worked in collaboration with

Modern Art Oxford again this year. As part of their GCSE Art coursework students took part in a set building workshop with acclaimed British artist Anne Hardy as part of her exhibition ‘FIELD’, linked with the MAO Film project.

“I feel a lot more confident about how to take techniques used by an artist and apply them to my own work, especially with sculptures”

“The workshop has helped me work better with my peers, will help me view art in a different way and be more open minded. It really changed my perspective.”

“I am now able to produce detailed drawings from observation. I think I made a lot of progress in developing my skills and gained a lot more confidence.”

‘Telling Stories’ Oxfordshire Arts Week: Yr 8 & 9

students, with Primary students from Rush Common, worked with Larkmead’s artist in residence Jon Lockhart, telling stories through creating art to go on exhibition in Oxfam Abingdon shop window during Oxfordshire Arts Week. They used old frames to make new pieces in creative and imaginative ways, each telling their own unique story.

“It was brilliant to be relaxed and independent, I love art even more now”

“I learnt how to create a sculpture using other objects and how to tell a story through art. It was great to have the freedom to create absolutely anything.”

A Moment in Time ‘Every Life Matters’ Exhibition: Larkmead’s Gallery of Young Art hosted an exhibition by refugee children from

Syria and Afghanistan. Aiming to bring the voice of humanity back into the

picture with the biggest refugee crisis since WW2, the project hopes to raise

understanding and support for those fleeing war, risking their lives to give

their families a safer home.

Storytelling through Art: As part of the ’Telling Tales’ project Yr7 students took

part in clay workshops creating interpretations of their favourite story with a Story Pot.

‘Assembly’ Schools Preview at Tate Modern: Thanks to Larkmeads work in providing a high quality variety of

Arts opportunities, GCSE Art were among the selected 3,000 UK

students invited to a preview of the refurbished turbine halls at the

Tate Modern Gallery in London, with new art works, films, music

and performance pieces on show.

“This visit has inspired me to vary the materials I use in my own

art work”

A’level visit to Ashmolean Gallery: An inspiring trip for A level Art students.

Photography Department

Photography Trip to London: AS Photography students visited Borough

Market taking photographs for their project ’Growth and Decay’ and South Bank for urban landscape and street photography, followed by the Science Museum to see the first major UK exhibition by Alec Soth, ‘Gathered Leaves’, widely considered to be world’s foremost documentary photographer.

AS Photography Exhibition ‘Growth & Decay’: Our first Photography

Exhibition at Larkmead School was a huge success,

with an exciting collection of work produced by

students exploring the theme ‘Growth and

Decay’ by photographing their school

environment, the local cemetery and

surrounding area. Students looked at the

works of different photographic artists and

experimented with their style.

“It’s been an amazing experience

seeing my work up in a gallery”

Photography at MAO: The workshop focused on how we ‘look’ at what we see

and the things we miss, explored by artists who examine time from an unconventional

perspective. Students also had the opportunity to see the latest exhibition at MAO, develop

their knowledge and understanding of photography and develop their critical skills when looking at other artists’ work.

“I learnt different techniques to create interesting and abstract photographs using new materials and manipulating

the photograph”

“I learnt how to see things from a different perspective creatively and got new ideas of how to present work.”

‘Assembly’ Schools Preview at Tate Modern Gallery London: A level

photography students were among the 3,000 UK students invited to a preview of the turbine

halls at the Tate Modern with new art works, films, music and performance pieces. Students

viewed new photography exhibitions and looked closely at artists statements of intention.

“It’s great to see art, culture and diversity from around the world in one building”

Photography Club Competition Winners: Photography Club, run by 6th

form students, has chosen

Niamh Goodway and Amelia

John as winners of the ‘best

photo’ category (seen on the left here) and Charlie Preece as

the winner of the ‘presentation’ category. Congratulations to

them all and huge thank you to the students for running such

a popular club.

Year 9 Arts Award Gallery and Theatre trip: All Yr9 students work towards a Bronze Arts Award

throughout the year in their VPA lessons and during special VPA events such as this amazing trip to London. Students

visited exhibitions at the impressive Tate Modern Art Gallery and attended a matinee performance of the production ‘War

Horse’, a powerfully moving and imaginative drama filled with stirring music and songs. A show of great inventiveness using

astonishing life-sized puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, brought breathing, galloping, charging horses

to thrilling life on stage. We hope that experiencing high quality professional Art works and performances in professional

venues is a real inspiration to the students’ own work. Providing high quality cultural experiences is a national requirement

and we are proud of our cultural offer for our students at Larkmead.

“I learnt that even simple props and small movements, like the horse’s twitching ear, can create a great piece”

“I learnt about the many different ways you can make art, especially if it has the right meaning to it”

“I feel more confident about evaluating and reviewing art and to be appreciative of different types of art”

“I enjoyed watching War Horse and think it will help me be more creative with physical theatre”

Year 9 Arts Award Bronze: Students have been working hard towards their Bronze Arts Award Certificates, a

Level 1 National Qualification which, as well as developing their arts skills, self-confidence, leadership and teamwork skills, will give students an opportunity to develop essential skills needed for success at GCSE including personal organisation, building a portfolio, independent study skills, researching arts inspirations and sharing skills.

Whole School Production of ‘Annie’:

Kicking off with a fantastic performance for 200 Primary School children from Caldecott, Carswell, Dunmore and Rush

Common, this year’s whole school production of the musical Annie was a masterpiece of musical theatre. Audiences

experienced three amazing performances of a highly polished and professional production. Students and staff excelled

themselvesin what was a truly memorable performance.

“The students did us proud, showing again that Larkmead is a great place for Performing Arts.” Mr Morris, Drama

“Both students and staff worked so well together to make this year’s production of Annie such a success. It really was

an honour to lead the music and band, all being members of the Larkmead community.” Miss McAuley, Music