We began the Summer Term with three performances of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale.  This was the culmination of a fantastic eight-month collaborative project with the Young People’s Puppet Theatre (YPPT).  

Our Year 7 students designed, built and operated the marionettes, and they also stage-managed the performances, employing amazing team-work skills!  GCSE Art students designed and painted the sets, GCSE and A-level drama students took the spoken parts and sixth form students performed the music.  The shows were conducted by Patrick Baileya music educator of extensive experience who has conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia (Music of Today), Britten Sinfonia, London Sinfonietta, ViVA, English Sinfonia, Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and many others. 

Well done to all, and a big thank you to the YPPT, Nadine Sender and Alison Humphreys from our Art Department, Kevin Hathway for coaching the musicians and Paul Elliott for coaching the speakers.


A hugely ambitious and inspiring cross-curricular project, it was a great success and we even got a mention in the Telegraph Education Good News Friday Column: