Senior schools with VERY strong drama / music

[Mimicat505]

Can anyone recommend a school (state or independent) with a very good performing arts reputation?? DD (9) is into all things drama and music-related. We wouldn't consider stage school as I don't want to compromise on the academics. We live on the south side of Guildford. Thanks!

Reed's in Cobham is very good and has intake for boys from 11 and girls from 18. I went as did my brother on drama scholarships and being a teachers wife have seen first hand the school productions and music recitals that they put on and they are very good.

Hope this helps.

Frensham Heights? Or the Brit school in Cobham. County school does a lot of drama and is a music specialist (also is quite used to students going out to take part in productions). George Abbot does one drama/musical production a year and lots of other music groups.

If you don't want a stage school but want lots of drama music, then State school plus outside tuition might be best. Is he involved in any of the groups at Yvonne Arnaud?

Thank you both for these helpful suggestions! nathalie, Reeds might be a bit far for us (and I'm not thinking as far ahead as sixth form yet) Bekabeech, I'll definitely look into Frensham Heights. I thought the Brit school was in Croydon? I don't know anything about the County School... does it have good academics as well? And yes, we are considering just relying on outside tuition as one option. She does a Saturday drama class but I haven't looked into Yvonne Arnaud... is it better than Guildford School of Acting? Sorry about all these questions - I've got no background in this at all and we haven't lived here very long....

Lots of people who do the School of Acting Saturday school also take part in Yvonne Arnaud performance groups - however entry for the performance groups is via audition. County is one of the more sought after schools in Guildford, it depends where you live which school you have most chance of getting into. County has its own Music teachers, and has a strong house system, with lots of house music and drama.
George Abbot seems to be a base for a lot of the County music lessons, and as a big school offers lots of opportunities.
Reeds has a bus from Guildford, and also isn't very far from Oxshot station on the London Road-Cobham line.
Brit school is in Croydon (sorry) and is from 14, by audition.

If you are interested in the opportunities at Yvonne Arnaud, I suggest you contact them soon as the auditions tend to be around now for the whole of next year. However they also do fun drama groups, which you do not need to audition for. There are several other drama groups in Guildford too.

Thanks Bekabeech, that is loads of useful info. I looked at the Frensham Heights website last night and am definitely going to visit. County also looks promising but as you say harder to get into. And I've spoken to Yvonne Arnaud - the youth theatre they do sounds great and they've suggested DD audition for their production groups, so perhaps the school choice will become less important. Thank you!!

A friend of mine went to Frensham Heights (admittedly 20 years ago!) and she did loads of drama and dancing.

I love Frensham's theatre, they also do a lovely buffet at their open days (I went twice but it wasn't the right school for my DS, we loved it though).

Son is at County, I am very happy with the pastoral support. My academic son is really enjoying the drama and even music. It is a very good school.