The creative arts are a valued component of a Bloxham education and they play an important role in the spiritual, social and cultural development of our pupils.
Through a mix of lessons, activities and performances, students are exposed to a wide variety of creative pieces and are encouraged to form their own appreciation of music, drama and art to build on throughout their lives.
Art
There are a variety of artistic opportunities open to pupils beyond their normal curriculum involvement. We have excellent facilities for all artistic pursuits including a kiln and a modelling room.
Sculptures in clay and metal adorn the school’s grounds where they have found a permanent exhibition space to be enjoyed by generations of Bloxhamists. Bloxham regularly stages exhibitions of students work online and around the walls of the school, in addition to adorning school greetings cards and publications, for example the cover of our annual magazine The Bloxhamist.
Drama
Drama is a very popular subject at Bloxham, run with energy and a focus on building students’ confidence and creativity. Students throw themselves into the annual inter-house drama competition, with solo and group performances. A highlight in the calendar is the whole-school production, which takes place each Michaelmas Term and draws in a large cast and crew from across the school.
LAMDA Speech and Drama examinations are open to all as a paid for activity. A whole host of options are available from Acting to Musical Theatre from Grade 1 to Gold.
A strong number of students opt for GCSE Drama and A Level Theatre Studies. Students enjoy visits to a range of exciting theatre, with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, Warwick Arts Centre and Oxford Playhouse on our doorstep, and London’s West End just an hour’s train journey away.
Music
Bloxham has a proud musical tradition and an inclusive philosophy which enables a large cross-section of the school to benefit from the many opportunities available. We have healthy numbers of pupils studying GCSE and A Level Music, with recent alumni continuing their studies at the Welsh College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, BIMM and Falmouth College.
All genres of music are actively encouraged and celebrated. Music Production lessons are offered alongside tuition in every orchestral instrument as well as in piano, jazz piano, saxophone, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, orchestral percussion and voice. The ‘Musicians of the Future’ scheme enables all First Form pupils to learn an instrument for free, in addition to singing in a choir, to foster a love for music early in their time at Bloxham.
The department operates a regular concert series for all ages and abilities in term time alongside other events including the Bloxham Young Musician of the Year competition. Larger music events include the annual Gala Concert and House Music Competition, as well as regular external commitments in London.
Major ensembles include Chapel Choir, Exham Chapel Choir, Concert Band, String Groups, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Band, and many smaller chamber groups, all supported by visiting professional musicians and regular concert trips.
