The benefits of instrumental tuition for children are wide-reaching and have long been appreciated by teachers and parents. Children improve their motor skills through learning the complex co-ordination required for an instrument, whilst performing alone or in a group can be an invaluable outlet for self-expression. There are social gains from learning how to work as a team towards a performance and the children get a great sense of achievement from the experience. Recent research from America has proved that children's intellectual development is enhanced by playing musical instruments.

At Park Hill School lessons are offered in piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, guitar and recorder (other instruments by arrangement).

Ballet classes are held during lunchtime on Fridays for Early Years children and after school on Wednesday for Years 1 and 2 when we work from both the R.A.D. and I.S.T.D. syllabi. Lessons are available for all children, boys and girls.

We have lots of fun, e.g. with the youngest pupils we sometimes pretend to be Fairy Princesses or Princes going to a ball. They have great imaginations putting on an imaginary crown and ballgown or uniform! This, I find, encourages the children to keep their heads up and think about their posture. As the children progress, we follow a more traditional ballet format. We regularly take time to listen and dance to traditional classical ballet pieces such as Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.

Above all, my aim is for all the classes to be enjoyable and develop the children's creativity alongside their physical and social skills.

Modern Dance is an after school activity. The classes are designed to be both fun and beneficial. We work to a wide range of music and experience many different styles of dance.

The Modern Dance lessons are open to all children and take place on Tuesdays from 3.45 pm - 4.45 pm.

In addition to learning the basic steps and some of the latest dance moves, each week the pupils take turns to bring a CD of their choice. For the second part of the lesson, we all participate in choreographing a routine to that week's chosen music. Sometimes the children even teach me new steps!

Drama in Park Hill School offers a unique learning process that helps children to formulate an understanding of the world around them. Much of the drama work in this afternoon club is concerned with enabling children to participate in a shared experience; either exchanging ideas, thoughts and personal viewpoints, or simply experiencing the same activity.

Drama offers children safe and secure contexts in which to explore feelings and dilemmas. Therefore, in these extra mural lessons, the pupils often behave 'as if' they are someone or something else.

The Drama club is open to all children and takes place once a week after school, from 3:45pm to 4:45.