We are enormously proud to be awarded the highly prestigious Platinum Artsmark Award. We are the only school in Sussex with this level of award and less than 100 schools hold this nationally.
Dramatic opportunities abound
The College enjoys a distinguished reputation for drama productions which involve pupils from all year groups and houses. With three internal drama spaces and an outside theatrical space, there are endless opportunities for pupils to be involved, be it treading the boards or backstage.
Every pupil in their first term at the school walks the stage in the annual Year 9 House Drama Festival. This is performed over two days, in house groups, with every new pupil taking an on-stage role. Each play is directed by Lower Sixth pupils and overseen by a member of staff. This says much about the team ethos of the department and of the wider College where inclusivity and nurturing are key.
All pupils have the opportunity to be involved with the major production in the Michaelmas term. Anyone who expresses an interest is included and a large cast had pupils from every year group and every house. Previous productions include Dracula, Evita, I Love You Because, In the Still of the Night, Macbeth, Oh! What a Lovely War and The Three Musketeers.
The summer sees the Lower Sixth bonding as they make an outdoor production come to life in the Dell Theatre in just ten days at the end of term. Usually about half the year group take part and enormous fun is had by all.
Recent Productions
Macbeth: a group of Year 10 pupils performed Macbeth in Brighton as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival.
A Streetcar Named Desire: pupils from Years 10 to Lower Sixth
The Glass Menagerie: Lower Sixth production
Edinburgh Festival: two pupil productions have been taken; Serenity in 2019 and The Glass Menagerie in 2018
National Theatre connections: pupils have the opportunity to perform new writing at the National Theatre and other new writing festivals.
Gold Arts Awards: a number of pupils take part in the awards. Two members of staff are qualified as mentors and realise scripts and productions that are created by pupils.
Regular workshops, including with world-renowned Frantic Assembly.
There are plans for a second creative arts trip to New York.
