Founded in 1919, it now has large premises in Cone Ripman House in Bedford Park, a garden suburb in west London. Facilities include a fully equiped procenium arch theatre, a studio theatre and numerous dance, drama and music studios. The curriculum includes courses leading to 8 or 9 GCSEs and vocational training to a very high standard, in the creative and expressive arts. Music and drama form an integrated course; dance training includes ballet, tap, character and modern. At 16, pupils either continue their vocational and academic training at the school - a vocational, arts-based A-level course has been introduced - or move to another school to study A-levels. When curriculum time allows, pupils have performed with prestigious companies such as The English National Ballet, the Royal Opera House and the English National Opera.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 177 day pupils (53 boys, 124 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 11 and 16. Own entrance tests in English and maths and potential skills in dance, drama or music assessed. No religious requirements. State school entry 20% of main intake.
3-4 pa scholarships: 1 music, 1 drama and 2 dance (1 at 11, 1 at 13 and 1 at other ages). Few extras; lunch included in fees.
Headmaster: Oliver Price, appointed 2006. Teaching staff: All creative staff are experienced performers.
GCSE: On average 21 pupils in fifth; all gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects (most in 8 or 9 subjects). A-levels: 22 in sixth, passing an average of 3 subjects.
80% of leavers go on to sixth forms in other schools, 20% follow vocational courses (dance, drama and music) at specialist colleges.
GCSE, AS/A-levels (also BA/MA in acting and musical theatre); vocational curriculum offers high quality tuition in dance, drama and music. 11 GCSE subjects including drama and dance, 7 at AS/A-levels. Sixth form: Pupils take 4 subjects to AS-level, 3 at A-level plus vocational subjects (acting, singing, voice, Alexander Technique). Vocational: Work experience for fifth form. Special provision: Private lessons arranged for dyslexic children. Languages: French compulsory to GCSE. Regular visits to France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg geography and French. 16 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), many networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take NICAS.
Music: 80% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups include 2 choirs, 3 ensembles. Drama and dance: Drama and dance offered and GCSE may be taken; also LAMDA, RAD, ISTD (ballet, modern). Performances with Royal Opera House, English National Ballet and English National Opera. Art and design: On average, 18 take GCSE. Pottery also offered.
No sports or community service offered. Up to 5 clubs.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Prefects, head boy and girl, selected by staff; class captains elected. Religion: Inter-denominational. 2 school assemblies weekly. Social: Meals self-service.
Pupils failing to produce homework or committing other infringements might expect a demerit or detention.
Julie Andrews; Catherine Becque; Claire Bloom; Sarah Brightman; Darcy Bussell; Anna Cartaret; Adam Cooper; Leslie Crowther; Liz Crowther; Seth Gilber; Matthew Hart; Nigel Havers; Finola Hughes; Teresa Jarvis; Glynis Johns; Margaret Lockwood; Cherie Lunghi; Gillian Lynne; Sarah Miles; Jane Seymour; Antoinette Sibley.
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