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Group of children on a stage holding colorful umbrellas (red, yellow, green, blue) during a performance under blue stage lights.
Home | Secondary School | Performing Arts

Performing Arts

At RGS Surrey Hills, Drama is open, purposeful and rooted in participation. It is a space where students are encouraged to step forward, test ideas and find their voice, whether on stage, in rehearsal, or behind the scenes.

Not every student arrives confident. That is the point. Drama provides the structure and support to try, reflect and improve. Through this process, students develop clarity of thought, emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate with conviction. These are skills that underpin success across school life and beyond.

There is a strong sense of shared endeavour. Students learn to listen, respond and collaborate, building resilience and perspective as they work towards a common outcome.

Lower School (Key Stage 3 Drama)

In the Lower School, students build a strong foundation in the core skills of Drama. Lessons introduce stagecraft, character development and performance technique, using a range of stimuli including plays, theatre traditions and students’ own ideas.

Through practical exploration and discussion, students examine human behaviour, relationships and emotions, developing both performance skills and emotional intelligence. Every student contributes, experiments and builds confidence over time.

Theatre rehearsal scene: performers in costumes sit on stage with a forest-like set, while a man in a blue shirt at the front points or gestures towards them.
Actor in a period costume with a bonnet sits on a stage platform, hands folded, wooden props nearby.

GCSE Drama

GCSE Drama is a popular and well-established pathway, offering students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of performance, theatre-making and live production.

Students devise original work, study set texts and evaluate professional theatre. The course develops independence, creativity and disciplined rehearsal habits, alongside strong analytical skills. By the end of the course, students understand how theatre communicates meaning and engages an audience.

Sixth Form (A Level Drama & Theatre)

At A Level, Drama becomes both academically rigorous and creatively ambitious. Students combine practical performance with detailed study of theatre history, practitioners and performance theory.

Areas of study include Greek Theatre, Farce and Modern Realism, alongside influential practitioners such as Stanislavski, Bertolt Brecht, Frantic Assembly, Punchdrunk and Katie Mitchell. Students are expected to think critically, make informed creative decisions and articulate their ideas with clarity.

This balance of academic and practical work prepares students for university, drama school and a wide range of future careers, from the creative industries to law, business and public speaking.

Stage scene with performers in period costumes kneeling in foreground; dark background with props and others standing on set pieces behind a snow-like mound.
Group of people in green suits watching a stage performance; several actors cluster on stage with props and black curtains behind them.

Facilities

Drama is supported by dedicated spaces including a drama studio and professional recording studio, giving students the environment to rehearse, develop and refine their work.

Productions take place both on site and at external venues such as Leatherhead Theatre, allowing students to experience performing in a professional theatre setting and presenting their work to a wider audience.

Scholarships and Opportunities

Drama scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+, recognising both potential and commitment. They are designed for students who show a genuine interest in performance, creativity and collaboration, whether their strengths lie on stage or behind the scenes.

Scholars are expected to play an active role in the life of Drama at RGS Surrey Hills. This may include involvement in productions, supporting younger students, contributing to creative projects or taking on leadership within the department. In return, they benefit from additional opportunities to develop their skills, build confidence and extend their understanding of theatre.

Alongside this, students can complete LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations. These develop clarity of speech, presence and the ability to communicate ideas effectively, skills that support both academic work and future pathways.

For families considering applying, further information can be found on our Scholarships and Bursaries page, including assessment expectations and key dates. The Admissions Process page outlines how Drama fits within the wider journey to joining RGS Surrey Hills.

Man in a brown blazer and glasses points off to the left while standing with a woman in a cream lace dress; pink flowers and white decor visible in front (stage scene).
Man in a white shirt gestures with his hands at the camera, while two young men in green blazers stand in the background on a stage.

From Mr Freeman, Head of Drama

“Drama at RGS Surrey Hills is about giving students the confidence to step forward and be heard. Not every student arrives thinking they belong on a stage, but through the work we do together, they begin to see what they are capable of. That shift, from hesitation to belief, is where the real value lies.”

Group of students in green blazers and plaid skirts/pants sit on brick steps in a historic campus courtyard.

Visit Us

Thinking about RGS Surrey Hills?

Come along to one of our Working Open Events.

24th June (9am – 11am)

26th June – Sixth Form  (9am – 11am)

Experience the atmosphere of a normal school day, meet the Headmistress, chat to the staff and tour the school with our team.

Book a Working  Open Event

Personal Tours

Prefer something more bespoke? Book a 40-minute personal tour with our Admissions Team to explore the school and ask questions.

Book a personal tour here