Co-Curricular
Creative and Performing Arts
The Creative and Performing Arts play a central role in life at Packwood, with weekly lessons for all pupils as well as a wealth of options for individuals to further develop their talents through activities and additional sessions. Our longer lunchtimes are used both for enrichment as well as for pupils to prepare for scholarships to senior schools, whether practising in the Orchestra or working on their Art Portfolio.
Art
Art is a deeply rewarding subject that provides children with an exciting opportunity for creative expression and personal discovery.
All pupils have lessons every week in Art, working with a range of media including sketching, paint, printing and clay. Pupils have access to the Art Room during activities and lunchtimes where they can take part in enrichment sessions or work on their portfolios.
Pupils also learn about famous artists and enjoy visits to art galleries such as the Liverpool Tate, the Lady Lever Art Gallery and the Birmingham City Art Gallery. They are encouraged to enter local and national competitions and have recently exceled in the Shropshire Young Thinkers and Millicent Kaye Competitions.
Drama
All Packwood pupils actively participate in drama. The performing arts provide our pupils with an avenue for developing their imagination and creativity, whilst building their confidence through performance on stage.
Children in Years 3-5 perform in our series of Open Assemblies; smaller plays performed to parents and pupils. Year 6 take the leading roles in our Junior production, ably supported by the Junior pupils, whilst year 7-8 pupils perform in our Senior Production. Year 7 pupils also take part in our ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ day, in which they rehearse and perform a play in a day, whilst senior pupils enjoy the Sixes Drama Competition.
Pupils can also take additional lessons in LAMDA and take part in our informal LAMDA Showcase events. Staff are equally keen to leap at the chance of performing in a Packwood production, most notably the annual Christmas pantomime or series of festive sketches. Dance also plays an increasingly popular part in our Performing Arts provision, with weekly activities as well as formal performances including the Shrewsbury Gotta Dance Festival at Theatre Severn.
Design and Technology
Weekly lessons in Design and Technology are a highlight for many pupils at Packwood.
Our state-of-the-art design workshop provides them with the opportunity to develop key skills and work with a range of materials. They are encouraged to think creatively and imaginatively as they design and create projects such as mechanical toys, desert island shelters and remote-controlled vehicles. The DT workshop is available for enrichment at lunchtimes as well as a range of activities including textiles and jewellery making.
In the run up to the Christmas Feast pupils enjoy designing their hats for the eagerly anticipated Christmas Hat Competition.
Music
Around 75% of Packwood pupils take individual lessons in a wide variety of instruments, many working towards ABRSM exams.
There are plenty of opportunities to perform as soloists or as part of one of our many ensembles at assemblies, informal teatime concerts in the Front Hall and larger concerts in the Theatre. The highlight of the musical year is the al fresco summer concert, complete with deckchairs and picnics – it is a musical delight and a thoroughly enjoyable night out.
Singing is also a popular option with Junior, Senior and Chamber Choirs performing at school concerts, the Carol Service and in church. Children work towards the Royal School of Church Music medals. In recent years Packwood pupils have been awarded music scholarships to a range of schools including Shrewsbury, Harrow and Winchester.
Packwood staff are approachable and lead by example. They took the time to get to know my daughter, what she liked, her strengths and her weaknesses."
