• Our first-ever senior school production, 'Lord of the Flies', gave students in Years 11-13 the chance to explore mature themes.
  • Our recently-built drama studio contains a state-of-the-art lighting rig.
  • The most recent whole school production, 2022's 'The Odyssey', saw over a hundred students from across the school take part!
  • Our annual Drama & Music Showcase gives students the chance to show off their talent on stage!

“Drama is life with the boring parts cut out” – Alfred Hitchcock

The drama department at Isleworth & Syon is a vibrant and thriving area of the school which gives students the opportunity to nurture and develop their creativity, confidence and discipline. The curriculum offered across all three key stages is wide-ranging and challenging.

The subject equips you with skills that are essential to the real world; from simply working in a collaborative and supportive manner, to creative problem solving, project management and meeting deadlines.

The department is staffed by specialists in the field of drama, who are themselves experienced performers, writers, lighting designers and directors.

Beyond the requirements of the courses offered, students learn the skills required to work within the industry through an outstanding extra-curricular programme.

Recently, Isleworth & Syon students have taken places to study at Arts Ed, Mountview, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London Academy of Music and the Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Bristol Old Vic, and York. In addition, students have successfully auditioned for the National Youth Theatre, National Musical Youth Theatre and RADA Youth Company.

For A level drama and theatre, students examine drama practically and in writing to a high academic level. There is sustained study of a series of classic and contemporary drama texts. Additionally, students must create an original piece of drama using the techniques and principles of a key practitioner. There are numerous theatre visits and opportunities to meet theatre and arts professionals in preparation for the written exam at the end of Year 13.

Senior Production – ‘Lord of the Flies’
New for 2023-24, students in Years 11-13 participate as actors or as designers, stage management, lighting or wardrobe/costume technicians.

Whole School Production
Auditions take place in the final week of June for the following year’s production. Students can participate as actors or as designers, stage management, lighting or wardrobe/costume technicials. Recent productions include ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘The Tempest’, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘The Odyssey;.

Drama & Music Showcase
Showcase of some of the most outstanding work from class from Year 7 to Year 13. An opportunity for students and parents/carers to see the range of talent on show.

Year 7 & 8 Drama Club
Weekly afterschool workshops run from September until July for all students in Year 7. This culminates in performances at the Winter Concert, Drama & Music Showcase, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.

Year 9 & 10 Drama Club
Weekly clun run from September until July for all students in Years 9 & 10. This culminates in a performance at the Winer Concert, Drama & Music Showcase, Summer Arts Festival and end-of-term assemblies.

Arts Award
A programme run for students in Year 9 to participate in the Bronze Award. Students have to create a portfolio that shows their development in an area of creative arts.

National Youth Theatre Auditions
Run on a Saturday in February or March, we invite NYT to conduct their workshop and audition in school. Successful students are invited to participate in their Summer School.

Reward Screenings
Students who continually demonstrate outstanding Attitude to Learning and effort in class are invited to “cinema screenings” of recorded theatre productions. These have included ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Newsies’.

Theatre Visits
Students attend a wide variety of theatre performances on a regular basis. Recent productions seen include ‘Red Pitch’ , ‘Groundhog Day’, ‘For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy’, ‘An Inspector Calls’, ‘Sylvia’, ‘Watch on the Rhine’, ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’, ‘Eureka Day’, ‘The Woman in Black’, ‘Marys Seacole’, ‘The 47th’, ‘A Number’, ‘Force Majeure’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, and ‘Wuthering Heights’.