THE ARTS
Creativity comes to a glittering crescendo in the Sixth Form. Each year, we see our students go on to world-renowned art, music and drama schools. In addition, our biennial Creative Perspectives projects bring a truly interdisciplinary approach to the arts.
ART
Art in the Sixth Form encourages creative exploration and the development of skills across a range of media, including printmaking, textiles, sculpture, painting, and photography. Students engage with the subject through a dynamic programme of gallery and exhibition visits on our doorstep and beyond, helping them build both technical ability and critical understanding. Recent international trips have included visits to New York and Florence, broadening students’ cultural perspectives.
Within school, a wide variety of creative clubs are available, with opportunities for our artistic Sixth Frmers and Art Scholars to take part in group projects and mentoring younger students. Many students go on to world-renowned art schools each year including Slade, Central St Martin’s and Florence Academy of Art.
DANCE
Dance at Francis Holland is expertly managed by Chelsea Ballet Schools. Highly trained teachers provide outstanding tuition for individuals, groups and classes both in classical ballet and other forms of dance.
Classical ballet is a very popular co-curricular activity. Musical theatre and other forms of modern dance are also offered, and the school presents pupils for examination as appropriate. A wonderful Gym and Dance Display in the Spring Term showcases the extraordinary dance talent of the pupils.
DRAMA
Francis Holland has a distinguished reputation for Drama and each year our leavers go on to study Drama at leading universities and conservatoires such as RADA, building on their experiences at school.
Our students engage in a diverse range of theatrical styles, from Verbatim and Naturalism to Physical Theatre, Classical plays and Musical Theatre and we are proud to host workshops led by some of the UK’s most innovative theatre companies. Sixth Formers are the leads, both as actors and backstage roles, in our annual West End or professional theatre musicals, most recently A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Our Carmel Hall Black Box Studio Theatre provides a professional creative space for rehearsal and performance – supporting not only on-stage training but also technical theatre skills and opening new avenues for those interested in backstage careers.
MUSIC
While many of our talented musicians study Music at A-level, the majority of students experience the joy of music through the department’s extensive co-curricular programme.
Singing brings our school community together and plays a key role in all major school events. Our Senior Chamber Choir and Sixth Form Choir are central to this, performing regularly both in school and at prestigious external events, such as St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Many students set up their own ensembles or musical projects, where we provide rehearsal space and mentoring. The current Sixth Form Choir, formed by students themselves and rapidly developing into a self-directed ensemble, recently performed at a local charity carol service and were invited back by popular demand.
Alongside our choral tradition, we offer a wide range of instrumental opportunities including Senior Strings, School Orchestra, Jazz Band and various chamber ensembles which rehearse weekly, with a plethora of performance opportunities every term.
