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, roleplay 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 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 children 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 lessons, led by industry professionals, also enhance pupils’ wider understanding of what drama, as a subject, can offer them.
Our most recent productions, Beauty and the Beast in 2025 and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2026, were the culmination of months of dedication and creativity from both performers and the show’s drama and musical directors. Taking place in Clifton’s Redgrave Theatre, each production extends over three evenings and invites an audience of community members who, year-on-year, match the energy of the performers.
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.
To read more, click on our News Stories below:
Music
Music thrives within our Sixth Form, which is exemplified by our Sixth Form student-led choir. Their performances at all large-scale School events such as the Carol Service, Spring Concert and Rose Day, not only inspire younger pupils but also demonstrate the quiet resilience and determination an outstanding musician requires.
The Music Department is proud to have an industry-standard recording studio that many of our Sixth Form students take advantage of for academic A level study and by recording their own music and podcasts.
