Queen’s College holds a long-standing reputation as a centre of excellence for the Performing Arts, led by a team of highly experienced and dedicated practitioners. The College presents an annual season of ambitious and diverse performances, including plays, musicals, dance dramas, and concerts, with students of all ages fully involved. Recent productions have included titles such as Les Miserables, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Into the Woods, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The Performing Arts Festival, held each autumn, brings together competitions in House Dance, Drama, Singing, poetry recitals, a battle of the bands, and platforms for new playwriting. The program is further enriched by workshops and career guidance from top theatre professionals, including stars from the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, film, and television.
Over 75% of senior pupils participate in Co-Curricular Performing Arts activities annually, with opportunities both on stage and behind the scenes. Students are actively involved in stage management, sound, lighting, and even production design. In addition to performances at school, students have the chance to showcase their talents at regional festivals and annually take a production to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival, providing valuable opportunities to perform on a larger stage.
We invite families interested in Queen’s College to reach out to our Admissions Team for a comprehensive discussion about our school and offerings.
Queen’s College boasts exceptional facilities, including a 500-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems which is the largest theatre in the region, and a dance studio with retractable seating and heated wooden floors and mirrored walls. There is also a purpose-built black-box theatre with retractable seating and full theatre sound and lighting systems, as well as the Old Music Room which has wood-panelled walls and mullioned windows with a small grand piano.
Queen’s College offers all students the opportunity to participate in Performing Arts, whether it be on-curriculum or part of the Co-Curricular programme. Students have the opportunity to perform on-stage, or if they prefer to participate off-stage there is the opportunity to take part in the tech crew, wardrobe, set design or makeup.
KS3
Drama
In Years 7 to 9, the Drama curriculum equips students with essential skills to communicate, collaborate, and create effectively. Lessons focus on imagination, confidence, and refining body and voice as tools for expression across varied contexts. Each year, students explore specific techniques, with Year 7 covering freeze framing, stage movement, and improvisation; Year 8 focusing on role creation and non-verbal communication; and Year 9 advancing to collaboration, devising, and characterisation with scripts. The Middle School Play, held in the Summer Term, allows students to apply these skills in a major production as performers or backstage crew members.
Music
Music is a vital art form that enriches daily life, and at Queen’s College, the curriculum from Years 7 to 9 develops students’ appreciation and understanding of music across diverse cultures and eras. Lessons focus on listening, composition, and performance, encouraging hands-on learning with a variety of musical styles. Singing is integral, and students access extensive keyboard, percussion, and music technology resources, enhancing both their practical and analytical skills. This study of music also supports academic growth and develops valuable, transferable skills.
Level 2 Performing Arts BTEC
Students choosing to study Performing Arts will develop their verbal, non-verbal, individual and group communication skills, skills they will use throughout their lives. Whilst developing their artistic and creative abilities students gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Level 3 Performing Arts BTEC
The BTEC will provide students with the opportunity to learn, enhance, and combine three key Performing Arts skills to a professional standard, of acting, singing and dancing. Through its approach students will gain a unique understanding of the focus and discipline needed in order to perform.
