PERFORMING ARTS
PLAY TO THE CROWD Music and dance at St John’s College School seep into and enrich non-arts subjects as well
1. Introduce your child to the magic of live theatre. The Arts Theatre Cambridge even runs a subsidised ticket programme. The highlight is its annual pantomime (oh, no it isn’t!). artstheatre.co.uk/ support-us/give-a-ticket 2. Encourage them to play an instrument, whether in school or out. Cambridgeshire Music offers individual instrumental and vocal tuition, with financial aid available. cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk 3. Get singing! There’s no audition to join the KJV Community Children’s Choir, which has five choirs for different age ranges and is free for primary-age children. kjvchoir.org 4. Build their confidence with drama, dance and singing. Perform Cambridge offers classes for children aged four to seven and 7-12 across multiple locations. The National Youth Arts Trust also offers one-off bursaries to budding dancers, actors and musicians aged 12-25 who need support. perform.org.uk nationalyouthartstrust.org.uk 5. Let them create their own song, courtesy of BBC Bitesize. Songwriters share some top tips on writing music and lyrics. bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z8y7jsg Home help Five top tips for supporting your child’s progress in performing arts
Music, drama and art are all about the human experience
language, the school encourages them step by step. “We use the word ‘generosity’ a lot,” John adds. “When the environment is supportive, pupils feel they can have a go.” Are parents convinced? Some local schools have actually reported a rise in the number of pupils choosing music or drama at A-level – up 9% at Framlingham College in 2025/26, for example – which has to be positive news. And when families see their child taking part in a performance in a way that would previously have been unimaginable, it can be a revelation. “When you have parents saying, ‘I would never have believed they could do that’, they are the moments when this feels like the best job in the world,” smiles John.
at different ages and stages, each playing music specially written for their playing level, from beginner to grade 8. That inclusivity is what makes performing arts such an essential part of our schools’ offering. Take The Leys, whose productions aren’t notable merely for their originality and range (everything from Treasure Island and Molière to a Britpop version of Romeo and Juliet ) but also for the multiple casts that ensure opportunities for all. “Anyone can audition, no matter what experience they’ve got,” says John. Those happier behind the scenes, meanwhile, can join the school’s backstage company, working on lighting and stage management. Whether pupils struggle with anxiety or speak English as a second
LIFTED UP Teachers at schools such as The Leys recognise that all children have the potential to perform if given the right support
90 NOVEMBER 2026 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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