We embrace and advocate creative potential, on any level, to unleash talent, dedication and motivation”
Mrs Donia Pieters, Head of Senior School Music
Clifton High School’s Creative Arts curriculum nurtures young talent to ignite imagination and extract the confidence and skills necessary to unleash all pupils’ creative energy. It is an avenue for children to flourish emotionally, where they can explore ideas, stimulate their imagination, unearth talent and be exposed to a lifetime journey of art and culture.
Artistic development, at any year group level, plays a vital role in a child’s education the tools for children to think creatively, innovate and appreciate the far-reaching value of the arts, to maximise their own creative flair. Music, theatre, art and photography are incorporated into Clifton High School’s curriculum from the outset, developed throughout all the Year groups.
As a School, we believe that ‘artistry’ is a voice that all individuals can use to express themselves, and by providing a diverse mix of initiatives, we can ensure the arts are accessible for each of our pupils to explore and develop, and fully maximise their talents.
Please explore our variety of enriching offerings below.
Drama
Drama at Clifton High School cultivates creativity, confidence and empathy; it transforms pupils into articulate and well-rounded individuals ready to face life's stage"
Mrs Holly Adams, Head of Drama
Clifton High School’s Drama Department is focused on developing a passion for performance, offering a transformative space for pupils to hone their acting skills, explore improvisation, role play and delve into the world of stage management. Pupils learn from the grass roots up to consider set design, costume creation, acting, directing, sound and lighting to ultimately bring performances to life. Whatever the theme, our drama teachers encourage pupils to push boundaries, challenge themselves and others, and discover the power of storytelling.
Our in-house theatre, The Rose Theatre, provides a platform for students to showcase their individual talents as well as collaborate as a group to gain the skills necessary for the world stage! Workshops and co-curricular classes, led by industry professionals, also enhance the pupils’ wider understanding of what drama, as a subject, can offer them.
The culmination of months of dedication, our 2025 production of Beauty and the Beast was showcased in Clifton’s Redgrave Theatre to an energetic and captivated audience that matched that of the performers. Extending over three evenings from 5th to 7th March 2025, tickets were sold out months in advance of the show as families, friends, staff and community members looked forward with much anticipation to the evenings' entertainment. This is not surprising as year upon year, our pupils continue to exceed expectations in what they achieve on stage at the Redgrave Theatre. To read more, click here.
From the vision of our Drama teachers to the audition process through to the commitment required for the rehearsals and the ultimate endurance of a show of epic proportions, the camaraderie and commitment from all involved were a clear indication of Clifton High School’s dedication to drama.
Music
Music is such a personal journey of exploration; we must create a safe and nurturing environment in which our pupils can flourish. You never know what you are capable of until you do it!”
Mrs Donia Pieters, Head of Senior School Music
Clifton High School’s vibrant music curriculum and co-curricular programmes are wide-ranging to unite a spectrum of music lovers, nurturing their own creativity whilst creating a safe space to collaborate. The subject develops performing, composing and analytical skills, helping pupils to build confidence in being in front of an audience and challenging themselves beyond their comfort zones.
The Music GCSE and A level curriculum courses involve pupils studying the way music is composed and performed in different eras and around the world, as well as writing a number of their own compositions using this knowledge. They are encouraged to extend their learning to musical opportunities beyond School for which we advocate and offer support through instrument accompaniment. In January 2026, one of our talented Year 10 pupils, who is a member of the National Youth Orchestra, was awarded third place in the final of the Rotary Young Musician Competition for her performance on the flute.
Music technology plays a large part; pupils learn to use software to notate their compositions. We are fortunate to have an industry-standard recording studio and a suite of Macs within our Music Department. They are used for teaching A level Music Technology as well as recording School podcasts and for younger pupils to explore technology’s vital role in the creative industries. Given that many careers in Music and the Arts depend upon this technology, we provide comprehensive tuition to ensure that pupils are confident in its application.
Clifton High School hosts a series of pupil-led musical performances throughout the year, including our festive Annual Carol Service at Clifton Cathedral and regular Lunchtime Concerts held at All Saints. Our Spring Concert takes place at Bristol’s live music venue, St George’s. Featuring soloists, ensembles and choir performances, they showcase the diversity within our music community. All occasions serve as opportunities for pupils from all year groups to work together with staff and parents, and for families to appreciate the continued hard work and dedication of our children.
For information on individual music lessons taught by visiting Music Teachers, click the link below:
Art
A canvas for creativity, our Art curriculum throughout the year groups allows pupils to experiment with a variety of media, from drawing, painting and sculpture to ceramics, digital media and animation. Children are encouraged to express themselves in a variety of ways by enhancing practical skills whilst also strengthening their intellectual knowledge of the arts and the work of artists and designers, both contemporary and traditional.
The Art GCSE curriculum and A level Fine Art programmes require an enjoyment of being creative with an aspiring nature to develop unique perspectives, with the added aim of better understanding imagery as well as budding artistic and design expression. Sixth Form students work in a designated Art Studio and have a private study area within the department, enabling them to continue working on their individual projects during their study periods.
All pupils are afforded opportunities to partake in West Bristol’s Annual Arts Trail, visit exhibitions and museums in London, as well as encouraged to submit work to national competitions such as the Royal Academy’s Young Artist Summer Show.
Photography
We understand that our image-based culture requires a generation of inspiring creatives that can tap into their skill base to forge successful careers in photography”
Mr Paul Ayers, Head of Art
A level Photography at Clifton High School is a subject for pupils to explore their creative vision and the world around them, whether it be capturing the beauty of nature or urban landscapes, through to community narratives and portraits. We encourage children to see the stories held behind a lens, affording them opportunities to unleash their personal artistic expression.
From learning how to use a DSLR camera to capturing a shot or scene in differing conditions, both the GCSE and A level courses suit a creative individual who enjoys the challenge of experimentation. Pupils explore a range of photographic media, techniques and processes using up-to-date software packages as well as researching and investigating the work of other photographers.
Conclusion
As a School, we are incredibly proud of what we cultivate in our Creative Arts curriculum. From the stage to the studio, Clifton High School is adept at encouraging pupils to explore, experiment and excel in their selected artistic pursuits. We hope you continue to enjoy the threads of creativity woven throughout the School as we maintain lessons that inspire and ignite imaginations.
