we believe that - brit · pdf filemission statement the brit school for the performing arts...

broadcast & digital communication community arts practice creative design &technology dance interactive media music musical theatre technical theatre artstheatre visual arts & design national curriculum

The BRIT School is the only State school (non-fee paying)dedicated to performing arts and technology which is sponsored,and indeed was founded, by the British Recording Industry.

As a school for 14-19 year olds, we are pioneering in ourapproach to education, but we are not a stage or fame school.We recognise that most of our students intend to make a careerin the arts, entertainment and communications industries, but theschool expects all to follow full time courses to completion. It is avocational school; if an applicant is determined on a life devotedto art, dance, digital design, music, musical theatre, radio,television/film or theatre, then this could well be the right place.

We pride ourselves on providing an excellent general educationthat helps prepare young people for the future. We encourageour students to go on to specialist colleges and universities, or intoemployment in the creative industries. Indeed the majority do so.If we are devoted to the arts, then we also recognise that thetechnology of our title is essential for a complete education. Wehave formidable resources to allow students to study in asophisticated environment equivalent to a modern workplace.BRIT stands for the British Record Industry Trust. Without thegenerosity of the record industry, the School would never havebeen built and our superb facilities would never have beeninstalled.

Furthermore we greatly benefit from the advice and supportgiven to students and staff from our wide range of friends in themusic and wider arts industries.

The School has a unique atmosphere of support and respectwhich helps cultivate the ability and talent of our young people.Students and staff have created an open, friendly, flexible yetrigorous approach to study. Our achievements at both Key Stage4 and Post-16 in vocational and academic qualifications testify toour success, as do the range of successful ex-students nowworking and studying in the creative industries.

Stuart Worden Principal

Paul BurgerChair of Governors

mission statementThe BRIT School for the Performing Arts & Technology aims toprovide the highest quality education for 14 to 19 year oldsthrough a specialist curriculum. Performing, creative and digitalarts with their related technologies, are at its core and contributeto a curriculum aimed at developing the whole person.

We aim to develop students academically, vocationally, sociallyand morally so that they leave the School as independent, co-operative, responsible and creative young people with theability to learn and a lifelong interest in the arts, technology andself-development. We believe that these skills and qualities,coupled with relevant academic and vocational qualifications,prepare our students to go into further and higher education andthe world of work, positively contributing to society.

we believe that:• young people wish to learn and participate in a creative

environment within a firm framework of teaching and learning.

• best discipline comes from a commitment to shared goals.

• students need understanding of, and access to, developing technology to encourage participation and leadership in a rapidly changing society.

• the arts encourage each individual to work in a creative, co-operative and collaborative manner.

• we need strong links with the creative industries, the local community and wider world in order to maximise student vocational opportunities and to be an exemplar to arts education across the UK.

• the School provides an excellent preparation for a successful career in the creative industries.

The BRIT School is committed to these beliefs and its structuresand teaching methods are planned to reflect them.

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applicationapplicationhow do I apply?Entry into the School is at 14, aftercompletion of Key Stage 3, or at Post-16 after completion of GCSEs.Applicants must fill in the applicationform (ideally on-line via our website)and return it to the School, preferablybefore 22 November 2013 (for Post-16)or 3 January 2014 (for KS4). You canapply after this date, but if yourchosen course is full we might not beable to consider your application.

Please note that Section 7 of theapplication form must be used toanswer the questions in the relevantcurriculum information booklet.

If your application form is successful,you will be invited to a practicalworkshop/audition with members ofstaff in preparation for the Augustintake. Applicants are considered onthe basis of aptitude in their chosenarea and the criteria laid down in theAdmissions Policy, which can be foundin the General Information booklet.This must be read carefully beforemaking an application.

If you are currently in Years 9 or 11,already giving your own time to thearts and want to pursue your interest inbroadcast & digital communication,community arts practice, creativedesign & technology, dance, drama,interactive media, music, musicaltheatre, technical theatre or visual artsand design, you could be a studenthere next year.

do I live close enough?We accept students from most ofGreater London and some parts ofKent and Surrey - please refer to Page7 of the General Information booklet.We are allowed to take ten percent ofapplicants from outside this area, ifthey show unusual merit. Wediscourage students from making avery long daily journey to and fromschool, so give some thought as tohow you might get to Selhurst. SelhurstStation is on the Croydon to Victoriatrain line and the school is close tofour bus routes.

when can I visit?Open Evenings dates are listed in theGeneral Information booklet.

how is the school yearorganised?The year is organised into five terms ofapproximately eight weeks, divided bytwo week holidays (four weeks in thesummer), although there are a fewdays off at Easter in some years. Thisbest supports the effective delivery ofthe curriculum and allows students toreturn refreshed at the beginning ofeach term.

what do we expect?The School aims to create anenjoyable, orderly, friendly andcreative environment. Students areexpected to sign the StudentAgreement before starting at theSchool, which sets out ourexpectations (a copy is available onrequest).

There is a wide range of opportunity toparticipate in arts activities and towatch performances. Students areexpected to make a full andenthusiastic contribution to the widerlife of the School.

how can parents beinvolved?The School values dialogue withparents/guardians and communicatesregularly through emails, letters,newsletters, reports and parentsmeetings. Parents are encouraged tocontact the School if they have anyconcerns or questions. We also verymuch appreciate parents’ regularattendance at our wide variety ofperformances in and beyond theSchool.

how is the curriculumorganised?The focus of the School is on the artsand, where possible, the NationalCurriculum subjects are linked to thearts via topics, projects or themes.Regular shows, performances andexhibitions provide considerableopportunities for all students tocelebrate their work. This includeslarge scale shows at outside venues.

We have excellent facilities to supportthe teaching of all subjects. We areproud of the success of students inacademic as well as vocationalsubjects, as our examination resultsshow. A full list of subjects taught isincluded in the Curriculum booklets.

key stage 4In Years 10 and 11, students cover allthe core subjects. They also choosean arts course studying for a BTECLevel 2 First Extended Certificate andan option subject. Students aregrouped into ability sets for somesubjects. The size of classes is usually20-26 students.

post-16Students are grouped according totheir main arts course as follows :broadcast and digital communication(media), community arts practice,dance, interactive media, music,musical theatre, technical theatre,theatre and visual arts & design.Students work towards a BTEC Level 3Extended Diploma. They are expectedto take an additional course as well,which are mainly AS/A Level or BTECqualifications.

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SEN provision

The school aims to create aninclusive culture and ethos in whichall students can participate fully,thrive and learn to the best of theirability. Policies and managementpractices are designed to supportthe education of all students withidentified learning needs, withStatements or otherwise, and toencourage their personal andartistic development. Students areadmitted on the basis of thepublished criteria, are assessedregularly, and provided with IEPs orlearning plans so that any barrier tolearning is addressed and equalopportunity of access to thecurriculum is ensured. Students arefully and sensitively involved withthe development of their ownlearning, both in class and throughfrequent discussion with staff in theLearning Support Department.

Close contact is maintained withparents and guardians so that theyare informed and aware ofprogress.

"I have been involved with the School since before itwas built, both as a Governor and, now, as a Patron.

In all that time I have continued to be impressed by thecombination of technical skill, enthusiasm and personalmaturity that is the hallmark of a BRIT School student.”

Sir George MartinPatron of The BRIT School

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do I have to payanything?The School does not charge tuitionfees and all parts of the compulsorycurriculum are free. However, limitson the School’s budget mean thatwe do need to charge for certainactivities, such as non-curriculumvisits and most peripatetic musictuition. The School provides enoughmaterials to fulfil basic require-ments, but students always find thatthey need more. In order that wecan provide a reasonable additionalamount we are asking for a contribution of £60 from eachstudent entering the School which,for the sake of convenience, ispayable on acceptance of aplace. In some subjects, studentswill also need to provide their ownspecialist professional equipment;each course’s individualdocumentation provides guidance.£10 of this contribution is refundableat the end of the course if thestudent’s library account is clear.

can I get financialsupport?The School has limited funds fordiscretionary grants to supporttravel costs, free school meals andperipatetic lessons. Some or all ofthis support is available where themain family income comes fromJob Seekers’ Allowance, IncomeSupport, Widowed Parent’sAllowance, Incapacity Benefit or aState Pension. The School will alsoconsider applications from studentswith a low family income.

A copy of the Charging andRemissions Policy and an applicationform for a BRIT School BursaryAward are available on request.

financial information

learning resourcesThe learning resources centre isequipped with a computer suite,study area and specialist arts libraryand archive. The professionallytrained librarians are alwaysavailable to help with enquiries andresearch.

“They taught us that you are a person, so you arecreative. You learnt that you can do anythingyou want to if you just go out and do it.”

Katie MeluaFormer Music student


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broadcast & digitalcommunicationswhat we offer

broadcast & digitalcommunication

This department offers creativeskills-based courses in which we aimto develop our students'understanding of the main mediaindustries (television, radio, film,video and photography) throughpractical projects. In some of theseprojects a student works alone butthey are mostly team based.

In our digital facilities we are ableto produce work of the higheststandards. Specialist teaching andtechnology combine to providestudents with a wide practical andtheoretical experience.

The department runs a threecamera digital television studio,two digital radio studios, two AppleMac video editing suites, and aphotography darkroom.

Teaching is complemented andsupported by visiting industryprofessionals, trips to mediainstitutions, a two week radiobroadcast each summer andregular screenings of students’work. Many of our students go onto study degrees in the best mediauniversities - Ravensbourne,Westminster, Middlesex andBournemouth.

community arts practicecommunity arts practicePost 16 only

This course is for students who areinterested in using the performing artsfor more than just performing. Thecourse focuses on how the performingarts can be used positively for changeand development and students willdevelop skills as community artspractitioners. There will be theopportunity to work directly with variouscommunity groups: young people,school children, the elderly, people withdisabilities and work in prisons and pupilreferral centres amongst othercommunity settings. Students willacquire practical skills in theatre, music,movement and design and learn howto use these skills in a communitysetting. Students will take part in

workshops in which they will learn howto plan, deliver and lead successfulprojects and workshops themselves. Thecourse will have various opportunities tocreate performance material as well astake part in performances in venuesboth inside and outside the School. Thecourse will culminate in a communityarts festival that will include workcreated by students on the course whowill also run and administrate the festival and organise performances andworkshops with visiting professionals.

My highlights of the Community Arts PracticeCourse have included touring children’stheatre, teaching movement to adults withdisabilities and singing with Age UK in front ofHRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Mahmoud Zayat. Community Arts Practice Student

“I decided to leave my family and friendsand move to London where I didn’t knowanyone. However, the staff and pupils atBRIT made me feel so at home it wasincredible. BRIT has been amazing and itreally has been the best two years of mylife”

Lewis S Spearing BDC Graduate


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danc

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dance

The dance courses offer wide-ranging training and opportunitieswithin many dance styles includingclassical ballet, contemporary, jazz,tap and social and cultural dancestyles. Alongside this technicaltraining students develop theircreative skills throughchoreography and improvisationalclasses and workshops.

Such training is then furthersupported by classes in danceappreciation and performing artsappreciation.

The fully equipped dance studiosare always bustling with students inclasses, rehearsals andperformances. The departmenthas strong links with the local andwider community where studentsregularly perform, teach andchoreograph, gaining skills that willenhance their learning and instilthe qualities required to succeed inthe dance world.

Performances, professional visits,theatre trips and workshops are fullyintegrated into all dance courses.

Students progress to a range ofuniversities and colleges, includingTrinity Laban, London StudioCentre, Bird College, The Place,Northern Contemporary DanceSchool, Millennium College, CentralBallet, Rambert School of Ballet andContemporary Dancel, LIPA, LaineTheatre Arts and Middlesex,Chichester and RoehamptonUniversities. Students are nowfollowing careers in the West End,on cruise ships, with contemporarycompanies and as commercialdancers including Rambert DanceCompany, Pina Bausch, AkramKhan, Blue Man Group, Book ofMormon, Lion King, Twist and Pulse,Matthew Bourne, Ballet Boyz,Richard Alston and DV8 PhysicalTheatre Company, in performingarts institutions and administration,choreography, community projectsand teaching.

creative design &technology

creative design &technology KS4 only

‘Design is what links creativity andinnovation. It shapes ideas to becomepractical and attractive propositions forusers or customers. Design may bedescribed as creativity deployed to aspecific end.’ The Cox Review

The above statement from the DesignCouncil perfectly encapsulates the corephilosophy behind this exciting newcourse at KS4. Creativity and design willbe delivered side by side exposingstudents to the excitement ofdeveloping new products and uniqueconcepts and ideas through working ina range of 2D and 3D disciplines fromproduct design to graphics,environmental design to prototypeconstruction.

Housed in a new purpose built workshopand ICT facility, the course will look toextend students’ understanding of whatdesign can achieve and that there aremany ways to develop yourself and yourwork within a creative field in whichBritain has historically been a worldleader.

This course has a good practicalgrounding that explores traditional skillssuch as draughtsmanship and modelmaking whilst still encompassing andembracing the new technologies thatare driving today’s marketplace.

The course will provide the skills andunderstanding necessary to progress onto a range of courses at Post 16 such asvisual arts & design, technical theatrearts, broadcast and digital media andinteractive media as well as furtherspecialised study within the design field.

Creative design and technologyprovides skills and experience forstudents to develop in a number of jobmarkets such as Architecture, GraphicDesign, Product Design andDevelopment, Interior and SpatialDesign, Designer-making alongside afantastically broad range of craftsmanand creative roles.

“I loved the place...I wouldn’t havebeen prepared for what’s happeningto me now if I hadn’t been to The BRITSchool. Being there gave me theconfidence I needed.”

Kate NashFormer Theatre Student

Singer


music

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music

The music courses provide theopportunity for those studentscommitted to working in the musicindustry to explore and develop theirskills in areas such as performance,composition and sound engineering.Both the BTEC Level 2 First ExtendedCertificate (KS4) and Level 3 ExtendedDiploma (Post-16) courses in musicenable students to develop industry-relevant vocational skills within achallenging, well-supported, creativeenvironment.

The School has a fully equipped digitalrecording studio, compatible Mac ProMIDI suite, rehearsal rooms and a 300-

seat public performance venue.Instrumental and vocal tuition isprovided by a team of specialistperipatetic teachers, all workingprofessional musicians.

Much of the student work is projectbased and a range of creativeopportunities are pursued each year.Classroom-based workshops, publicconcerts in community venues, gigs atlocal rock/pop venues and larger-scalegigs in the Obie theatre are intrinsic partsof the course. There are opportunities torecord or engineer a range of material,from live broadcasts, studio sessions, full-scale musical theatre shows to musicgigs, as well as students writing,performing, recording and making their

own CDs. The close relationship with theBritish Record Industry results in us beinginvited to perform at a range ofprestigious events and venues: recentexamples include performances atCannizaro Park, The Roundhouse inCamden and Komedia in Brighton.

“Every person in Britain should be able to watch what we are witnessing.Maybe then they’ll realise what can be achieved in this country with theright encouragement”

Claire SetohyParent of Theatre student

interactive mediainteractive mediaPost 16 only

The interactive media course introducesstudents to the design and study ofcomputer games, mobile devices andtechnologies including mobile appdesign, web and graphic design, 3Danimation and environments, online andmobile publishing and televisiongraphics and idents. Alongside the strong practical and skillsbased curriculum, students will also studythe impact of technology, digital mediacompanies and the rise of social media.

Interactive media students will have theuse of their own dedicated Mac designstudio, complete with a range ofsoftware and hardware including CS5Creative Suite, which includesPhotoshop, After Effects, Illustrator andInDesign; 3D studio max and Maya.

Students will be given opportunities toexhibit their work throughout the courseand at the end of year showcase. Theinteractive media course includes workexperience opportunities, wherestudents will organise and partake inworthwhile work placements within theinteractive media industries. Studentswho complete the course will be able to

work directly in the design industries orcontinue at HE level. Students can goon to study a range of degree choicesfrom interactive media, graphic design,motion graphics, games design and 3Danimation.


Tech

nica

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atre

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what we offer

technical theatrePost 16 only

We offer excellent learningopportunities that not only equipstudents with the skills to pursue acareer within the performing artsindustry but also give them thefoundation for higher educationand training. Our philosophy is verymuch ‘hands on’ and the learningis delivered through a largelyrealistic working environment wherestudents take part in practicalexercises, simulated workenvironments and fulfilling technicalroles on theatre productions in theschools theatres.

The course teaches technical,creative and management skillsand places an emphasis onstudents obtaining as wide a rangeof skills and experience as possible.Teaching staff have a professionalbackground in the industry and theschool has superbly equippedtheatres, studio spaces andworkshops. We maintain strong linksand partnerships within the industryand are sponsored by manyleading companies such as PRG,Britannia Row and Function One.Many students are successfullypursuing careers within the industrysuch as BBC, PRG, Whitelight,Endemol, Britannia Row andUnusual Rigging or go on to Higher

Education courses at colleges oruniversities such as Guildhall, RoyalWelsh College, Rose Bruford, RADAand Nottingham Trent.

“The great thing is that you meetpeople with the same mindset as you.Plus, the facilities were great - it’s likea playground for musicians.”

Dan Gillespie-SellsFormer Music student and band

member from The Feeling

musical theatremusical theatreOur courses are exciting, busy andhard work but extremely rewardingand enjoyable. We offer studentsan equal focus on dance, actingand singing. We develop skills andknowledge in all these areas andencourage students to work in anopen-minded and flexible way. Our students are versatile andpassionate. We welcomeapplications from young peoplewho are committed to the arts inthe broadest sense.

The musical theatre departmenthas a strong tradition of stagingimpressive, large-scale productionsin the School’s theatres, as well asmany studio showcaseperformances. These projects give

students a real insight into thedemands of tackling high qualityrepertoire. Past productionsinclude Carousel, A New Brain,Parade, Spring Awakening, Hairand Into the Woods. Productionsplay to sell out audiences andenjoy considerable critical success.

Students completing our courses goon to further training at vocationalschools and university. Paststudents can be found taking onlead roles in West End productions,featuring in television dramas,singing and dancing on cruiseships, setting up community theatrecompanies and working within themusic industry. Many otherstudents enjoy careers inperforming arts-related industries.


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theatretheatre

The theatre courses are excellent foranyone wishing to follow a career in thetheatre industry. This course is for potentialactors, directors, writers and producers.Students have a variety of performanceopportunities, ranging from performing inour month long season ‘Common Ground’,in our new theatre, to creating new playsand performing at professional venuesincluding Trafalgar Studios, Bloomsbury andSoho Theatres, as well as participating innational events such as the ShakespeareSchools Festival. Students will create andtour work for children, write plays andperform in at least 8 productions whilst atthe School.

Throughout the course, students will benefitfrom workshops with professional actors,writers, directors and producers. Studentsare expected to go on theatre tripsorganised by the department at least oncea term.

The futures for our students are bright andexciting. Theatre students have gone on tostudy at all the leading drama schoolsincluding RADA, Central School of Speechand Drama, Rose Bruford, Drama Centre,East 15, LIPA and LAMDA. There are alsoBRIT School students in many leadinguniversities including Exeter, Manchesterand UEA.

Recent graduates have appeared in ‘CallThe Midwife’ (BBC), ‘The Inbetweeners’(C4),‘Rock and Chips’ (BBC), ‘Misfits’ (C4),‘Wild at Heart’ (ITV), ‘Silk’ (BBC), ‘Revenge’(E4) and performed at theatres includingNT, RSC, Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Courtand the Barbican.

"It felt like somewhere different, like an escaperoute. If I hadn't left for there, I don't knowwhat would have become of me”.

Cush JumboFormer Theatre student

visual arts & design

This exciting department offers a widerange of excellent brand new facilities,including visual arts studios, a print andtextiles studio, photography darkroomand computer suite for developing visualarts and design work. Students developwork in a variety of areas, including fineart, graphics, textiles, photography,fashion illustration and community art.They can exhibit their work throughout

the year and in a showcase at the endof the course, which has becomerenowned for its high standard.

Students have gone on to foundationand degree courses at top art colleges,including Central St Martins, Camberwell,SLADE, Glasgow School of Art,Ravensbourne and Chelsea. Thedepartment undertakes, as part of thecurriculum, community arts projects andcross curricular projects, which enrich thevocational curriculum enormously

through client-based projects. Studentsare encouraged to enter competitions inwhich they have been most successfulboth within the school and externally.Recent activities include externalexhibitions at the Horniman Museum andDulwich Picture Gallery, creating a visualawareness campaign for MIND visits andworkshops from professional artists,animators, graphic designers and galleryvisits.

"It's so beautiful that you can come to a school where you can justexpress yourself no one's laughing at you, no one's judging you"

Adam Rogers, former Visual Arts and Design student,freelance Menswear Designer in New York, who worked with the

Ralph Lauren Purple Label

visual arts & design

what we offer


Other supporters in recent years have included:

AccentureATG (Ambassadors Theatre Group)AvolitesBournemouth UniversityBPI (British Recorded Music Industry)Britannia Row ProductionsBritish Music ExperienceCameron MackintoshCapezio EuropeCentrestageDawbellEntertainment Retailers Associations (ERA)Fairfield HallsFunktion OneJack Petchey FoundationKerry Nicholls DanceMayday TravelMidas ConsolesMusic Publishers’ AssociationMusicians’ UnionPaperhat GroupPineapplePPLPRG (Production Resource Group)Royal Albert HallSennheiserSheridansShobana Jeyasingh Dance CompanySilver LeveneSony ATVSSAT (The Schools Network Ltd)TC HeliconThe Estate of Mr Paul WaltersUK MusicWhite LightZildjian

supp

orte

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sponsor and supporters

'Studying at The BRIT School enabled me to make a decision on which area of the industry I wanted to focus and gain a career. Theexperience I attained in class and by performing on stage with other students reflected on my personality and gave me theconfidence to approach people in the industry. It provided me with a great opportunity to maximise the exceptional contacts theSchool has and gain work experience at a top placement, leading me to my current job.'

Ruby FardRCA International Marketing Assistant, International, SonyBMG

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Funded by

The School’s day-to-day activities arefunded by the Education Funding Agencyon behalf of the Department for Education.

In addition, the School has receivedconstant generous support from the BritishRecord Industry Trust, a charitableorganisation set up by the British recordindustry to develop projects in the field ofeducation and therapy as well as otherworks in the community. The Trust, and themany companies which make up the Britishrecord industry, have always supported theSchool both financially (we have receivedmore than £8 million in total from the Trust)and in terms of the time and expertise thatso many in the industry freely give to ourstudents.

More information on the British RecordIndustry Trust is available fromwww.brittrust.co.uk.


we believe that - brit · pdf filemission statement the brit school for the performing arts...

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