|











|

Novello Theatre
a superb facility through which our Musical Theatre Students gain regular performance experience. The theatre is also used for some classes; annual assessments and in-house performance.
Redroofs is a five-minute walk from Maidenhead station with easy access from
Paddington, Ealing Broadway, Slough and Reading.
We offer a unique co-educational Independent Day School (ages 8-16 years)
providing an outstanding performing arts curriculum combined with a sound academic
education to GCSE.
Many boys and girls join our school after attending once-a-week classes either
at Redroofs or elsewhere, and often have displayed a clear commitment to an
arts-oriented education. The move may be prompted by feeling out of place in
their current school or by sheer creative frustration.
How do you know if this is the right school for your child?
We do not set up Open Days to advertise what we can offer for
your son or daughter. Instead, we welcome parents and prospective pupils to
visit us "in action" on
a working day, to meet with the Headteacher and to sense a little of what we
are about. A performance-in progress!
All prospective pupils will be invited to participate in the life of the School
for a full day, meeting his/her potential friends, participating in the classes
of the day and taking in a little of what we are about. Only then will he/she
truly know if this is the right school.
Whilst sports and gym are not a part of our curriculum, the extensive range
of dance and drama classes and regular productions offer a challenging physical
curriculum developing coordination, strong team spirit and camaraderie.
Redroofs has a “family-school” atmosphere.
Whilst we have an anti-bullying policy, we have rarely had to refer to it!
Our pupils are by nature tolerant of individuality; encouraging of each
others talents, and spur each other on through “audition” disappointments
or personal difficulties.
Whilst we operate in a competitive world, we do not set our pupils up to compare
themselves against each other. Every pupil is expected to achieve his/her
best both in the arts and in academic lessons. The majority of our pupils
are academically capable. However we also encourage less academically able
children and have seen an extraordinary “turnaround” in children
who have not thrived elsewhere, endorsing that “if a child is happy
he will learn.” (If your child has particular needs, please advise
us on application) .
We believe that our pupils are our own best advertisement. Please come
and visit us soon! General Information
Whilst our school premises is small, we are by no means limited. We recognise
that school, home and the rest of the world are all a part of education.
As a
theatre school our pupils are exposed to what is essentially an industry sometimes
from a young age. We encourage the children to see their studies as a part of
something greater. A dancer does not dance in isolation. He is a part of a company
which supplies a service to its paying audience. Our pupils regularly attend
West End and local productions; attend workshops, visit museums and participate
in field trips.
We aim throughout the school to expand areas of interest and
encourage independent thinking. It is therefore not surprising that pupils who
opt not to continue their performing arts training at 16+ have gone on to colleges
and universities; to create unique businesses; to travel widely, to run their
own schools overseas!
With self-belief there are no limits. Academic studies
The majority of our pupils sit 8-9 GCSEs.
Theatre School is not a "soft option". Our pupils are
expected to apply the same commitment to their academic studies as they do
to their creative curriculum and an all-round professional attitude is expected
throughout the school. A dual curriculum means that we expect twice the focus.
All pupils, whatever their ability are expected to work hard in all subjects
and as the curriculum already leans heavily towards the arts we do not offer
options at GCSE.
Our school day begins at 8:15 with
registration and classes commencing at 8:30. Mornings are dedicated to academic
classes taught in year groups. Junior pupils are taught primarily by their
class teacher for the majority of the morning sessions whilst the Upper School
are taught by specialist teachers. We have a short lunch break followed
by a full afternoon of vocational classes which may include ballet, tap, jazz,
musical theatre, singing (examination)/repertoire, speech, audition work, choir
practice, rehearsals, text study, masterclass, improvisation and examination
coaching.
Dance subjects are taught according to ability and level attained.
All pupils are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the curriculum.
Being a small school we are able to tailor timetables to provide the
best possible training for each pupil. Pupils are taught in small mixed
ability groups according to age. Throughout their school careers, pupils
are taken on regular visits to museums, theatres and places of interest
to support their class based studies.
We also welcome speakers into schools from time to time. Every pupil sits
our Summer Examinations and written notification of results is sent home
in each child's annual report. Parents are invited to attend the Vocational
Assessments that also take place in the Summer Term at the Novello
Theatre. Choreography and Directors Competitions
From time to time the school holds internal competitions to encourage new talents
to come forward. The competition results in a Cup and in cases of outstanding
achievement an outlet will be found for the work produced. We are delighted that
pupils have found these talents as a result of our competitions have gone on
to work professionally in these fields. This is also an opportunity for organisational
and leadership skills to develop.
Many of our pupils write, compose and produce plays outside of school hours. As a small school and a lively artistic community we actively encourage this development and the pupils have on numerous occasions staged their own full-scale musicals for charities and fund-raising at the Novello Theatre. 
External Examinations in addition
to GCSE
Pupils are entered as appropriate for the Grade and Major examinations
of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance.
These are a compulsory part of their training and fees are payable as extras. How does the School
work with the Agency?
Wherever possible, we try to arrange auditions to take place after school
so as to disrupt the school day as little as possible. Most auditions take
place in Central London and pupils who are going out to auditions will
have contacted parents and be escorted to and from their destination by
a licensed chaperone.
The professional attitude starts in the classroom. Opportunities are seen
as a privilege. A pupil who is not cooperating with academic staff will
be blocked from attending auditions. At 16?
Parents are naturally concerned that their children receive the appropriate
guidance when applying to Colleges for further vocational training or 6th
forms. We are keen at this time to meet with parents and pupil to discuss
their chosen path. We offer a two-year performing
arts course for students
of 16 and over with continuing agency representation.
Some of our Day School leavers move on to specialised dance colleges; to
school/college sixth forms to pursue academic A/AS levels; or into the
acting business to forge careers. Whichever route our leavers chose, they
move forward with a clear sense of direction, a sense of self belief and
grounded confidence. Current fees
for academic year 2008 - 2009
Summer term lower school: £2546.85 Summer term upper school: £2762.75
There are three terms per year
Fees rise in January by 7.5%
More information
Ask us a question about the
school
For all enquiries, telephone 01628 674092

Click here for Redroofs Day School Ofsted report 2007
|
|



Claire Marlow starring as Swallow in Whistle Down The Wind- centre- outside Palace Theatre with current pupils













|