Arnold House School

Art is taught throughout the School, with each class having a double lesson once a week in the Head of Art’s own specialist art room.  Boys are taught a broad based syllabus covering aspects of art, craft and design, working in two dimensions and three dimensions.   Boys work from first hand observation as well as responding to the work of both traditional and contemporary artists and designers.  As well as learning to use a wide range of materials, techniques and processes, boys also learn to engage, explore, question, refine and modify their personal practice as well as evaluating the work of their peers.

Music is taught by specialists. The Director of Music has her own teaching room, fully equipped with electronic keyboards and computers which are regularly used for the study of composition and notation. The Director of Music also co-ordinates the work of visiting music specialists who teach a variety of instruments to individual pupils. There are two orchestras, three choirs, a jazz band as well as flute, saxophone, recorder, guitar and brass ensembles.  There are many opportunities for performance throughout the school year, including informal solo concerts for each year group and larger concerts in the Autumn and Summer terms featuring ensembles and soloists.  The Chamber Choir sing regularly in services at St John’s Wood Church.

In Years 1 and 2, there is an annual Nativity Play and Years 3 and 4 have an annual dramatic performance in the Spring term.  The new tiered seating at the Canons Park Activity Centre allows for audiences of up to 120 for dramatic productions.  Pupils also have many opportunities for public speaking, whether it be in assembly or at the annual Verse Speaking competition.

All boys take part in an extensive physical education programme. PE lessons include gymnastics, music and movement, basketball, volleyball, health related fitness and athletics.  Some of the older pupils use local leisure centre facilities to do rock climbing, badminton, tennis and cricket nets. Team games are played at Canons Park Activity Centre. Older boys play twice a week, younger boys once a week. All the major games are included: football, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics and cross-country running. Matches are played against other prep schools, with some fixtures being played at the weekend. Fixture lists are extensive with A to E teams often representing each year group to ensure that every boy has the opportunity to represent Arnold House.  Boys also have the opportunity to compete for their Houses in a variety of sports competitions.  Regular sports tours also take place, in particular for rugby and cricket.  A wide range of extra-curricular activities operate after school, including amongst others gymnastics, football, basketball, cricket, running and ju-jitsu clubs.

Arnold House has its own seven-acre playing field at Canons Park, near Edgware, acquired by the Board of Governors in 1993.

Pupils now enjoy the benefit of an artificial grass area, which has six tennis courts. Hockey and football can also be played on the surface. There are two grass cricket squares and an artificial cricket wicket. In the Autumn Term there are three football pitches suitable for eleven a side matches and two five a side pitches. In the Winter Term there are three rugby pitches suitable for matches and two designated rugby training areas. All the Arnold House home fixtures are played at Canons Park. These take place on the relevant games afternoons and on selected Saturdays throughout the school year.

In the Junior School, boys travel to and from Canons Park in coaches equipped with seat belts. Senior boys often travel by tube.

In 2005/06, the buildings at Canons Park were transformed to provide two large rooms for teaching, a new stage, tiered seating in the hall and new changing rooms. Now known as the Canons Park Activity Centre, the school plans to make ever increasing use of this valuable and versatile resource.

In the academic year 2007/08 each year group will experience a number of Activity Days. Typically they would include a tractor day for Years 1 and 2 (planting beans and potatoes), music and movement lessons for Years 3 & 4, drama days for Years 5 & 6 and maths and science days for Year 7.

At Arnold House there is a full program of residential trips which start when boys reach Year 5. Residential trips provide boys the opportunity to enjoy different experiences, amongst friends and supervised by staff they know and trust. The programs during these visits are designed help the boys develop self-confidence, learn to work in a team as well as supporting their academic progress. They can attain a Trip Commendation if they make an important contribution. The timetable below shows how the frequency and length of the visits increases as the boys move towards Year 8.

Residential Visit Timetable
Year 5 Activity Week (Three days). Tavistock – West Devon, May

Year 6 Activity Week (Four days). Gstaad – Switzerland, June

Year 7 Language/ Cultural Visit (Two nights). Paris, January/February
            Geography Fieldtrip (Two Days). Dorset or Lake District, April

Year 8 Language Week. Burgundy – France, September
             Battlefields Trip – Flanders, June
             Outward Bound – Cumbria, June

Day Excursions
There are day excursions for all age groups. The following are trips that took place last year.
Year 1 –  Geffreye museum, Tractor Day at CP, National Gallery, Music and Movement at CP, Royal Kew Gardens
Year 2 –  Toy Museum, Tractor Day at CP, RAF Museum
Year 3 – Ancient Egyptian theatrical production, Drama Day at CP, Music and Movement at CP
Year 4 – West Stow, Verulamium, Drama Day at CP, Music and Movement at CP
Year 5 – French Trip to Bolougne, History Trip to Golden Hinde, Sotheby’s, Drama Day at CP, Music and Movement at CP
Year 6 – Cirque du Soleil, Imperial War Museum, Barbican Centre, Britain at War Experience, Transport for London Talk at CP, Europa Centre, Sotheby’s
Year 7 – Monet Art Trip, Science Morning CP, Mountfitchet Norman Castle, The Merchant of Venice at the Globe Theatre 

Activities
There has been a huge quantity and range this year allowing all the boys to learn and enjoy a number of activities. Every member of staff has made a contribution. Outside specialists are also brought in to enable the School to cater for every taste.
• Heraldic Art
• Basketball Club
• Football Club
• Quiz Club
• Chess
• Ju Jitsu
• Darts
• Short Tennis
• Tennis
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• Gym
• Hockey
• Cricket
• Cricket nets at Lords
• Junior Art
• Senior Art
• Running Club
• Drama Club
• Global Location League
• ICT Club