Sixth Form at HCS sees our most creative students take their passions to the next level.
In Drama, the stage is set for innovation and exploration, from traditional performances in the professional Courtyard theatre to boundary-pushing performances in our own studio theatre. Our Music department offers a breadth of opportunity, including prestigious choral competitions and intimate jazz evenings at Café 1384. In Art and Design Technology students thrive in dedicated studio spaces and achieve outstanding results with expert guidance.
Sixth Form spotlight
The performance opportunities in the Drama department range from assuming lead roles in our large-scale musicals staged in the professional Courtyard theatre, such as Chicago, to pioneering productions like our outdoor promenade rendition of “A Christmas Carol”. In the HCS Powell Theatre, students aren’t limited to traditional setups; we foster innovation and experimentation creating intimate and quirky productions, such as our in-the-round production of Mike Bartlett’s Bull, that engage and challenge performers and audiences alike.
Alongside their academic studies and school productions, we provide students with bespoke support, offering personalised guidance for external auditions, including those for esteemed institutions like the National Youth Theatre and leading drama schools as well as professional film, television and theatre opportunities. This one-to-one mentoring ensures that our students are well-equipped to navigate the competitive landscape of performing arts beyond school.
Many students enrich their skills further through Speech & Drama lessons, consistently achieving exceptional distinctions in the LAMDA medal grades. These achievements not only help to hone their craft, but also accrue valuable UCAS points towards their university applications.
For those who are more interested in the tech than the spotlight, there are a whole host of backstage opportunities to try too.
Musical journeys
For many of our students, music sits at the heart of the Sixth Form experience. While Hereford Cathedral offers a magnificent performance space on our doorstep, the stage extends beyond conventional venues with opportunities to lead evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral and to compete in international choral competitions worldwide. Our diverse musical programme encourages students to embrace a broad range of genres from Jazz and Open Mic nights in intimate city venues to sell-out Musical Theatre shows in Hereford’s Courtyard Theatre.
Our renowned Music department runs the Music Makers programme which offers all musicians the chance to explore the professional world of music, developing their skills in areas such as conducting, composition, improvisation, instrumental arrangement, recording and sound engineering. For our composers, we offer opportunities to see their own works come to life through performances by both school and professional orchestras and ensembles.
Creative horizons
In the Sixth Form, our talented artists are each provided with their own dedicated studio space where they can explore and develop their creativity during lessons, in study periods and after school. With the support of our expert team, students consistently produce incredible artwork, showcasing their talents and achieving outstanding A-level results.
Meanwhile, in Design Technology, A-Level students are encouraged to push the boundaries of product design and create awe-inspiring projects, supported by state-of-the-art workshops and the guidance of our dedicated staff.
