Imagination given room, time and the finest possible teaching
The arts at Redwood Science Academy occupy a central place in every pupil's education. From the youngest choristers in the Junior School choir to the senior film-makers preparing work for national competitions, creative ambition is celebrated, generously resourced and rigorously taught.
We have long believed that the sciences and the arts are not rival claims on a timetable but two modes of the same enquiring mind. A pupil who learns to hear harmony in a Bach fugue is better placed to appreciate the elegance of a mathematical proof; one who studies the precise choreography of contemporary dance develops the spatial reasoning that enriches their biology. Our commitment is to produce graduates who are technically accomplished, creatively bold and genuinely moved by beauty in its many forms.
Six pathways to creative excellence
Music
A symphony orchestra, chamber ensemble, two choirs and a jazz big band give every aspiring musician an ensemble home. Individual tuition is available on all orchestral instruments and voice, and a professional recording studio invites original composition work from Year 9 upward.
Dance
Ballet, contemporary, street dance and ballroom are taught in sprung-floor studios by professional and former-company dancers. The annual Dance Showcase draws audiences of over four hundred and remains one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Redwood calendar each year.
Theatre
Our 380-seat Stirling Theatre hosts two major productions each year alongside a busy programme of pupil-directed studio pieces. Speech and drama examinations, LAMDA coaching and a thriving improvisation club ensure every aspiring actor finds the right stage for their talent and ambition.
Film & Media
Professional editing suites, a green-screen studio and broadcast-grade camera inventory support a rapidly growing media arts programme. Redwood pupils have won national Young Film-maker awards in three of the past five years and regularly screen work at regional festivals.
Visual Arts
Painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture are taught in purpose-built, light-filled studios. Our GCSE and IB results in the visual arts consistently exceed national averages, and pupils' work is regularly exhibited both on campus and at invited regional galleries throughout the year.
Design & Ceramics
A fully equipped ceramics studio, precision laser-cutter and a dedicated product design workshop serve pupils pursuing three-dimensional and applied creative work. Links with local architects and practising designers bring professional insight into the studio throughout the year.
Making work for the world to see
We believe passionately that creative work must reach a genuine audience. Throughout the year our calendar is punctuated with concerts in the Stirling Theatre, summer open-air performances on the lawn, art and photography exhibitions in our dedicated gallery space, and film screenings that bring together pupils, parents and invited guests from the wider cultural community.
Senior pupils in the IB Diploma manage and produce their own Theatre and Visual Arts exhibitions, taking full curatorial responsibility for content, design and presentation. This authentic creative ownership — working to real deadlines for a genuine public — is the preparation for a creative life that Redwood is uniquely positioned to provide. It is demanding, exhilarating and deeply formative.
Upcoming performances and exhibitions
Autumn Concert: Symphony & Chamber
The Redwood Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble open the new academic year with an evening of orchestral and chamber music in the Stirling Theatre. Admission is complimentary for all families and guests.
Music · Stirling TheatreYoung Film-makers Screening Night
Short films produced by pupils in Years 10 to 13 screen to a public audience for the first time. A panel discussion with visiting professional directors follows the main programme.
Film & Media · ScreeningAutumn Dance Showcase
Ballet, contemporary and street dance companies present new choreography over two evenings. This year's theme — Threshold — explores the boundary between structured form and pure improvisation.
Dance · Two NightsIB Visual Arts Exhibition Preview
Graduating IB Diploma candidates present their solo visual arts exhibitions to the public for one evening. This intimate preview precedes the formal examination assessment and offers a rare opportunity to speak with the artists directly.
Visual Arts · IB ExhibitionAutumn Play: The Tempest
The senior drama company presents Shakespeare's The Tempest in a striking environmental staging designed and built by pupils. The production runs for four nights in the Stirling Theatre's main house.
Theatre · Main HouseDiscover creativity at Redwood
Visit during a concert, an exhibition or an open day to experience the creative energy that makes our arts programme so distinctive. We look forward to welcoming you and your family.