This week served as a masterclass in our core philosophy: that educational visits are not merely ‘extras’, but an essential entitlement for every child. At WHPS, we view these experiences as the heartbeat of a balanced curriculum, flourishing most when we collaborate with world-class artistic partners.
Samuel Drake values the partnerships the school has with artistic partners (Image: WHPS)
Our commitment to the arts spans every year group.
This term, our Early Years children have been discovering the magic of instrumentation through our prestigious partnership with the Royal Academy of Music.
Simultaneously, Key Stage 1 students have been working alongside elite musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE).
The momentum continues later this term for Year 3, who will begin a residency with The Place, one of London’s premier contemporary dance spaces. Our students will collaborate with professional choreographers to create an original piece for the stage, bridging the gap between classroom creativity and professional performance.
Students enjoyed watching a performance of HMS Pinafore (Image: Lloyd Winters)
The “crown jewel” of the term was undoubtedly our recent expedition to the London Coliseum. Students from Years 4, 5, and 6 were treated to a breathtaking performance of HMS Pinafore by the English National Opera (ENO).
For many students and staff alike, this was a landmark ‘first’. The architectural grandeur of the Coliseum and the raw power of the unamplified operatic voice created an indelible memory.
The impact extended beyond our school gates, resonating with the public; one theatre-goer remarked: “Watching the children enjoying the opera was almost as enjoyable as watching the opera itself!”
This historic visit was the result of a long-standing creative friendship.
For some staff and students the outing was the first time they had seen an operetta (Image: Lloyd Winters)
In 2024, WHPS hosted the ENO for a major national filming project. Because our staff and children contributed their talents to a film now used as a resource in hundreds of schools nationwide, the ENO gifted us 185 tickets as a gesture of gratitude.
This synergy highlights why arts partnerships are vital. By opening our doors to organisations like the ENO, the OAE, and the Royal Academy, we open a world of possibility for our children.
This term has proven that when we step outside the school gates, the most profound learning truly begins.
