Highlights from Performing Arts

Chiswick School Shortlisted Again for TES Award for Excellence in the Creative Arts

It is with great pride that Chiswick School Performing Arts and Music has been shortlisted—once again—for the prestigious TES School Awards 2025 in the category of Excellence in the Creative Arts. You may recall that we won this award in 2023, so we were both honoured and surprised to be shortlisted a second time.

This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our Music, Drama, Dance, and Performing Arts teachers —and above all, to the enthusiasm and commitment of the nearly 200 students who take part in our thriving programme. This year alone, the department has produced 9 full plays, 8 concerts, 6 dance showcases, numerous gigs and community events, and proudly became the first Chiswick School to take part in the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade.

Our success is built on a broad and inclusive approach to the arts. We’ve partnered with a wide range of organisations, including Timegivers, Age Concern, Hounslow Arts, Kew Sinfonia, the Central School of Speech and Drama, and Ballet Rambert. It’s this diversity of opportunities, combined with our inclusive ethos, that truly sets us apart.

Great Big Dance Off - National Schools Dance Regional (London) Championships

The Great Big Dance off is the ONLY schools dance championships, taking schools from across the UK.

We first entered this last year when we were placed a very commendable 4th over all. So this year we had something to prove!

Dance has become a mainstay at Chiswick School, with regular dance shows here and at professional theatres across West London. We have a "come all " attitude, and whatever your ability level we will fit you in.

We took two dances to Cadogan Hall (where the competition was being held) in total 27 students across KS3 4 and 5. The competition was the regional final and included 30 schools from right across London, from Tottenham to Chiswick. We were in the first and second act. Competition was fierce, and it was clear that the passion we have for performing was matched by all the schools participating. Our first dance was an interpretation of the track "Army of Me" by Bjork and represented the struggle of conflict. We danced extremely well, and the crowd cheered and applauded. We were late in the second act, so had to sit and watch all the other dance groups first. Our second dance was "It's Not Real", a performance about two dreams, a boy's and a girl's dream that mix together. We again danced with passion and talent and the crowd went wild!

There was then a short wait while the judges collated their marks. They called third and second place, both of which were very good so we knew that whoever won was clearly the best. They then told us that there was one point difference between the winners and second place. And to our surprise and delight...it was us!

We could not have been more delighted!

This wasn't just about the night or even the single dance, it's about the last 5 years of hard work and dedication that the students and teachers have put in. The evenings and late nights to get us from no dance at Chiswick School to being London's best!

We now look forward to the nationals in July!

Medea and National School Theatre Awards

Our 6th form performing arts students are coming to the end of their training. All of them are now looking forward to their futures going to either top Drama schools or Conservatoires. Medea was to be their last show as a group, having worked together for the past 4 years.

The play was an adaptation of the Greek tragedy by Euripides and was performed at the OSO Arts centre in Barnes.

The evening started with the audience being welcomed into a psychiatric hospital, with the patients walking around them in the foyer. This set the scene for the performance inside the theatre itself. The play was set traverse (either side) to give the performance an intimate but inescapable feel. Throughout the play the cast worked as an ensemble, chanting and singing the choral parts as well as performing abstract movement pieces.

The performance was a sell out for both nights, and they got a well deserved standing ovation.

In addition to this we had a visit from the National School Theatre Awards, which we won last year with a production of Animal Farm, and we are delighted to announce that not only are we nominated for best play, but also for best actress in a play (Lara and Emma) and best actor in a play (Declan)

The awards ceremony for this is at the end of June, fingers crossed for us!

Chiswick School Shines at Feltham Arts Festival

To end Summer half term, Chiswick School was invited to perform at the Feltham Arts Festival—an exciting opportunity and a rare chance to showcase our work on the other side of the borough. We were thrilled to take part, especially as it suggests that the reputation of our Performing Arts department is spreading even further afield.

We presented two acts at the festival: Matilda and Les Misérables. Both performances were delivered with energy and professionalism, and were met with an enthusiastic response from the audience.

We’re looking forward to building on this success and developing further partnerships with Feltham Arts in the future.

Back

Key Links