Co-Curricular Opportunity

At Queen’s, the Music Department celebrates the joy of music-making and is committed to nurturing a lifelong love of music in every pupil. A visit to the College will typically be accompanied by the sound of pupils rehearsing, performing as soloists, or taking part in one of our choirs or many instrumental ensembles. 

Music is studied by all pupils from Years 7 to 9 and remains a popular option at GCSE and A-level, with numbers continuing to grow. Many of our A-level musicians progress to leading conservatoires and universities, with recent destinations including the Royal College of Music, the University of Cambridge, and Carnegie Mellon University (USA). 

Our thriving concert programme is central to the co-curricular life of the College. Pupils take part in our Informal Concert series, termly concerts, regular masterclasses – recent guests include Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and the award-winning trombone quartet Slide Action – our annual Jazz Evening, charity events including the much-loved Come and Sing concert, and end-of-term services at St Marylebone Parish Church. We also run a thriving Music Scholarship Programme to support our most dedicated and experienced young musicians. 

Co-Curricular Music opportunities

We offer a diverse range of ensembles, including three choirs, a performing arts group, specialist string, brass and woodwind groups, a percussion ensemble, a rock band, and a number of smaller chamber groups, many of which are pupil-led. These groups perform frequently in concerts, assemblies, and services.

The College also stages a musical production every two years; past productions include Beauty and the Beast, Oliver! and our 175th anniversary production of Annie at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2023. Our recent production of Les Misérables was a resounding success, involving over 150 pupils from the College and Preparatory School. Choir, orchestra and brass tours also form an exciting part of our provision, with recent tours to Belgium, Cyprus and St Lucia. 

Music facilities

The department is well-equipped, with two dedicated teaching classrooms and six practice rooms, and a suite of Mac laptops installed with Sibelius, Garageband and Logic to support composition work. A team of twenty Visiting Music Teachers works closely with the Director of Music, Second in Department, Graduate Music Assistant and Music Administrator to deliver high-quality tuition, with more than half of our pupils receiving weekly individual lessons. 

Drama at Queen’s offers a vibrant programme of clubs, productions and creative opportunities beyond the classroom. The department takes great pride in the quality and variety of productions staged each year, as well as in its inclusive approach, ensuring that as many pupils as possible can take part.

Pupils are encouraged to get involved in a range of roles, whether performing on stage, designing costumes and sets, or working behind the scenes as part of the technical or backstage team.

The department regularly collaborates with industry professionals, who work alongside pupils on writing and devising projects. In recent years, school productions have included Les Misérables, which involved more than 100 pupils performing on stage, playing in the orchestra and working backstage. Every pupil who wished to take part was given a role.

Other recent productions have included The Red Shoes, Annie (performed at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End), Little Red Cap, The Visit, Oliver!, Twelfth Night, Cinderella, Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast.

Each year, pupils also take part in House Drama, with all pupils in Years 7–10 encouraged to get involved, whether performing, directing or supporting the production.

Pupils can also work towards LAMDA qualifications, helping them to develop confidence, stage presence and technical performance skills.

The department frequently works with visiting theatre companies. Recent collaborations include working with Sorry, Say It Again Theatre to create Earnest?, a unique Play That Goes Wrong–style interpretation of The Importance of Being Earnest, and with Quirky Bird Theatre on a production of DNA.

Pupil-Led Productions and Drama Scholarships

Pupil leadership is an important part of the drama programme at Queen’s. We encourage pupil-led productions and initiatives that allow pupils to develop independence, build confidence and share their skills with others.

Current examples include the Performing Arts Club, led by Sixth Form pupils, and a production of A Doll’s House directed by a pupil in Year 9.

Theatre Trips

Queen’s central London location provides exceptional opportunities for theatre visits throughout the year. Each term pupils attend a range of performances across the capital, helping them experience professional theatre and deepen their understanding of performance.

Recent trips have included productions such as Hadestown, War Horse, Operation Mincemeat, Machinal and Stranger Things at venues including the National Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and theatres across the West End.

More recent visits have included Lost Atoms by Frantic Assembly, The Woman in Black, The Importance of Being Earnest and Les Misérables.

Dance is taught to all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9, with an option to study this further at GCSE. Our aim is for all pupils at Queen’s to develop an awareness of movement as an art form, enhancing their physical, expressive and performance skills.

Years 7, 8 and 9 participate in weekly classes, exploring different Dance genres each term. Throughout the year there is a focus on the choreographic process, while developing creativity and teamwork. Alongside this, pupils explore the fundamental dance principles to improve quality and understanding.

GCSE and A-level dancers focus on both the practical and theoretical elements of the AQA syllabus. Pupils explore the history of Jazz and contemporary dance, while further developing their practical technique, performance and choreographic skills. In addition, cross-curricular dance projects, professional workshops and an extra-curricular club are provided to further develop their practice.

Sixth Form pupils who do not wish to study A-level Dance can still continue to develop their dance training. They may work towards their Grade 6 or Intermediate ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) Modern examination, or follow the ISTD Contemporary course. These pathways enable pupils to continue their engagement with dance while also gaining valuable UCAS points.

There are several opportunities to perform at Queen’s including the annual Dance Show (which features pupils from every school year), as well as external Dance competitions. Pupils who excel in Dance have the opportunity to join Junior or Senior Dance Company, both of which place great emphasis on technique and performance.

The Art Department at Queen’s is a vibrant hub of creativity, imagination and artistic excellence. Rooted in an expressive and forward‑thinking ethos, the department offers dynamic, high‑quality teaching that inspires students at every level. Our bright, purpose‑built studio provides an uplifting environment where creativity flourishes, and where pupils can explore an exceptional breadth of disciplines, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, construction, and textiles.

We place strong emphasis on contextual understanding, ensuring students develop both their practical skills and their artistic voice. Sketchbook research is championed throughout the school, empowering pupils to think independently, experiment boldly, and refine their ideas with confidence. A rich and exciting programme enhances classroom learning, featuring lunchtime clubs, specialist workshops, visiting artists, external speakers, and carefully curated trips. Art and Design is an enduring strength at Queen’s, consistently attracting enthusiastic uptake at both GCSE and A-level.

Our students enjoy an array of unique enrichment opportunities, including life drawing workshops, trips to local galleries and regular after‑school gallery visits that bring their studies to life. Many of our artists progress to highly competitive Foundation courses including Kingston University, City and Guilds and UAL and go on to pursue prestigious university pathways or specialist degrees across the diverse fields of Art and Design.

Queen’s is proud to nurture exceptional talent, and Art Scholarships are offered at both 11+ and 16+ for students who demonstrate outstanding promise and passion.