Swanbourne House School

Pupils have opportunities to be taught Art and also Design Technology. The pupils learn to respond to tasks in a variety of mediums, such as papier maché, paint or sculpture. In Design, basic hand tools are used and the children enjoy a wide variety of projects. We have a specialist Art Room, Design Technology Room, Kiln and Engineering Workshop. The Engineering workshop has mig and arc welding gear and equipment for using enamel and chrome.

Music at Swanbourne plays an integral part of School life with many musical activities taking place each week. At present 87.5% of the pupils at Swanbourne learn a musical instrument ranging from the Violin to Harp, Drums and Guitar and this is serviced by 16 peripatetic instrumental staff.

We have weekly rehearsals for 4 Choirs, Woodwind, Brass, String and Percussion groups as well as a termly orchestral performance and these are open for all Prep School pupils to join in.

Examinations for Associated Board take place twice a year. The number of entries we have are between 30 and 45 ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Our pass rate has been 100% for the last 6 years.

2 concerts a term give all performers the opportunity to play or sing in front of parents and the rest of the school. The Chapel Choir and other Swanbourne musicians have performed successfully in St George's Chapel, Windsor on two occasions as well as St Mary's, Banbury and the Chapel Choir have recently sung evensong in Peterborough Cathedral.

A House Music competition takes place every two years and this is usually adjudicated by a Director of Music from another Independent School. This is always finely contested and of a high standard.

The Autumn term is often busiest for Music as it culminates in the School Carol Service, but we also have a big profile Remembrance and Advent Service.

We encouarge all children coming into the Prep School to learn and play recorder as part of their musical classes which means that everyone can read at least the treble clef by the time they leave Swanbourne even if they have not taken up an instrument.

To summarise, we like to feel that all the pupils at Swanbourne have been given the opportunity to express themselves through an active and vibrant Music department.