Founded in 1981, as a co-educational theatre school. It is on a single site in north west London and, from 2010, is in new, larger premises. The school is committed to providing a balanced theatrical and academic curriculum to ensure that students have a wide range of career and higher education options open to them. Besides the academic subjects they are taught speech, singing, tap, jazz, ballet and drama. Most pupils go on to dance or acting courses, or straight into the theatre and film industries. The school aims to provide an appropriately balanced academic and vocational experience for students. It is a happy school with an enthusiastic staff. The pupils are highly motivated and are encouraged to express themselves and contribute on all levels. There is close communication between parents and staff. Pastoral care is taken very seriously and the school liases closely with parents.
Pupils: Total age range 10-16; 194 pupils, 167 day (55 boys, 112 girls), 27 weekly boarding (12 boys, 15 girls). Senior department 11-16. Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 14. Audition and written assessment used. Potential in performing arts is the essential entry requirement; no religious requirements.
Usually 3 pa scholarships for entry to Years 7-9 (1 full, 2 half scholarships) but varies from year to year. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
Principal: Sylvia Young OBE. Headteacher: Ms Frances Chave, in post from 2005. Educated at Putney High School and Exeter University (Mathematics). Previously Deputy Head of Overton Grange School and Head of Mathematics at Feltham Community School. Teaching staff: 2 full time, 27 part time.
GCSE: 28 pupils in Year 11, 89% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 11% in 5-7 subjects.
On average, 50% leavers go on to courses in drama, music or acting; 40% to sixth form colleges; 10% straight into careers in films or theatre.
9 GCSE subjects offered: standard National Curriculum subjects in addition to media studies, drama, expressive arts, music, art. ICT: IT suite.
Drama, dance and singing: Pupils take LAMDA acting, verse and prose exams. Pupils regularly accepted for drama and dance colleges and go on to work in theatre or TV. Art and design: GCSE offered.
Sport: Weekly swimming in Year 6. All take part in a wide variety of dance classes (ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary). Activities: Several lunchtime and after-school clubs for academic subjects.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses and prefects: Senior students in Year 11. Religion: Non-denominational. Religious worship not compulsory. Social: Many educational outings organised. Meals self-service or packed lunch. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to complete it by the next day or do a detention; those caught smoking on the premises will expect their parents to be called in and to be asked to leave. Rare incidents of bullying are treated extremely seriously.
Weekly boarding with host families is an option from age 11.
Frances Ruffelle; Emma Bunton; Denise van Outen; Stephen Mackintosh; Keeley Hawes; Billie Piper; Jon Lee; Letitia Dean; Tom Fletcher.
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