Personal development is a very important feature of the Art course. A broad and balanced course is taught and a wide range of disciplines covered including the core subjects of painting and drawing, printmaking, ceramics, computer graphics and three-dimensional modelling. Different types of craft work are also undertaken using a variety of mixed mediums.

Schemes of work are designed to nurture the girls’ creative and technical abilities and Critical Studies is an integral part of all projects. Looking at Art and Design from different cultures and different historical periods helps broaden their understanding and appreciation of the world around them.

We offer students regular dance lessons through a hugely varied programme that caters for all interests. Classes are taught both during lunchtime and after school where students can learn many disciplines including street dance, classical ballet and traditional Indian dance.

Our Dance Academy produces an annual dance production offering students choreographing opportunities.  Pupils also take part in many other school performances. There is also the opportunity for older students to assist as coaches and work towards Equity status.

GCSE Dance is offered outside curriculum hours for those students with a keen interest in dance, enabling them to gain an extra GCSE.

If you enjoy drama, you'll love it at Priory School.  We're an active, busy department, performing several times a year.  There is always a whole school production in the spring term, which this year will be an Arts Showcase highlighting our pupils talents in music, dance drama and art.

The drama department also offers Speech as an extra-curricular activity and we have a successful track record in the LAMDA exams.  Many jobs require presentation skills as standard.  Where do you gain the confidence and skill to stand in front of a group of people and deliver a presentation? Speech lessons of course.  A good speaker is a good leader and for many shy students a welcome increase in self-confidence is just one of the benefits of speech lessons.

Music, both as a curriculum subject and an extra-curricular activity thrives at Priory, playing an important role in the life of the school. At Key Stage 3 all pupils study the four key areas of performing, composing, listening and appraising, whilst at Key Stage 4, the subject is also a popular choice – 33% of  the current year 9 have just chosen to follow the GCSE course next year. Our results are impressive - in both 2006 and 2007, 100% of pupils gained A* -C grades at GCSE.

With numerous ensembles, including an orchestra, jazz band, rock group and choir, all pupils are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities, regardless of their ability. Approximately 15 performances take place each year. Recent highlights have included a Choir tour to Paris in February 2008 and a whole school production of  'Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat'  in March 2007 -  in which over 120 pupils from both the Prep and Senior Schools were  involved.

Over 100 pupils currently receive instrumental lessons from our team of 10 part-time peripatetic teachers and we offer all of our year 7 pupils the unique and exciting opportunity of a term's free instrumental tuition. Regular 'Afternoon Tea and Music' concerts also allow pupils to share their progress with others and to develop their performing skills.

Many of our pupils are entered for ABRSM graded examinations in which we have an excellent record of success, with some pupils also playing in regional and national ensembles.