Aims & Ethos

The Sylvia Young Theatre School seeks to create a happy working environment where students can enjoy learning, staff can enjoy teaching and students can achieve their potential academically, vocationally, socially, morally and creatively.

Aims

• To provide a broad, balanced and challenging academic and vocational curriculum with high standards of achievement
• To develop and support the talents of those who wish to have a performance career as well as encouraging students to consider other careers within the media or to follow an academic pathway
• To ensure students have a grounded approach to any current and future professional work or opportunities
• To develop confidence
• To inspire creativity
• To develop communication skills
• To both encourage debate and the ability to question, and to develop an open and enquiring mind in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation
• To fully realise students’ academic, vocational and personal achievements by focusing on individual potential
• To ensure regular and effective assessment of progress in both vocational and academic subjects
• To provide high quality teaching and learning in academic subjects and to offer our students the best possible vocational training from experienced teachers and working professionals in a disciplined but encouraging atmosphere
• To provide the high standard of academic education and qualifications necessary as a basis for ‘A’ level study and beyond should students choose to pursue an academic route prior to, or instead of, a performance or media career
• To provide curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students to develop as individuals and as a community
• To develop and strengthen partnerships with parents
• To manage the development of the school to ensure the highest standards are achieved in all areas
• To strive continually to improve.

Ethos
In partnership with parents, the Sylvia Young Theatre School aims to provide opportunities for its students that enable them to play an active and positive role as members of the school and the wider community.  Students have access to and experience of the curriculum regardless of race, class, gender or religious belief.  The school promotes a sense of self-esteem, responsibility and tolerance.  It values and challenges the individual so that they may achieve their highest levels of attainment.
The Sylvia Young Theatre School places great emphasis on high academic standards and excellence in the performing arts.  Our aim is to develop the whole person as well as providing a unique opportunity for students with potential in the performing arts to train and to perfect their skills.  Expectations are high.
The Sylvia Young Theatre School provides a supportive atmosphere based on self-discipline, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding.  Students are encouraged to take responsibility both for their own learning and the environment in which they live.

The School Week

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays our students follow their academic programme. This consists of a broad range of academic subjects, more details of which can be found in the academic curriculum section of our  website. The aim is for all students to sit 8 or 9 GCSE examinations at the end of year 11. The School day commences at 8.45am and finishes at 4.00pm for years 6, 7 & 8. In years 9, 10 & 11, some lessons may continue until 5pm on one or more days depending on what subjects the students have opted for.

This is reflected in the division of our school week. Condensing a regular five day academic week into a three day academic week and two days of vocational training.

Applicants need to achieve a good standard academically and be able to cope with a 3 day academic week. This arrangement may not suit all applicants.

On Thursdays and Fridays students follow their vocational programme, receiving training in the performing arts (drama, dance and singing) whilst developing their individual performance skills. School day commences at 8.45am-3.45pm on Thursday and 8.45am-4.00pm pm Friday.

Facilities

Our school site houses a number of excellent facilities for our students academic and vocational classes.

• 12 Academic classrooms, including 2 Art rooms, 2 Science labs, 2 I.T Suites.
• 11 Vocational studios, recording studio.
• Changing and shower facilities, outside courtyard garden, cafeteria.

Uniform

Our academic uniform is supplied by John Lewis which students wear Monday-Wednesday.

On Thursday and Friday students wear their vocational uniform, tracksuit, dance wear, sweatshirts. Uniform can be ordered by a number of suppliers and the school shop.

Full details are given on acceptance of applicants school place.