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BUCKING THE NATIONAL TREND James Gorick, director of music at St Faith’s, considers performing arts and what it means to be human
P erforming arts education in Britain faces a stark paradox. Young people’s creative appetite is rising, even as systemic academic pressure downgrades the arts and shrinks specialist access. Drama GCSE entries have fallen by almost 40% since 2010, and music qualifications continue to decline. Funding pressures, curriculum squeezes and misconceptions about creative careers narrow the pipeline long before pupils reach exam level. The appetite is rising; the provision is falling. Against this national picture, St Faith’s offers a contrasting narrative. Engagement in both music and drama is growing, and pupils see the performing arts not as an optional extra, but as integral to school life. This year, every member of year 8 volunteered for the school production, and more than 100 pupils take individual Speech and Drama lessons. In Music, 300 instrumental lessons take place each week, supported by 22 ensembles and 25 visiting professional musicians. Pupils learn everything from harp and Highland bagpipes to drum kit and double bass, and explore Shakespeare, musical theatre, verse and prose. Regular concerts, evensongs, tours and collaborations show how deeply performing arts are embedded in our culture and curriculum. Our aim is not to funnel children into a precarious profession; it is to give them confidence, creativity and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives. The performing arts develop pupils’ executive functioning skills, reduce their fear of failure and give them the ability to communicate authentically; increasingly essential qualities for workplaces shaped by innovation, collaboration and digital media. The global acting and voice education sector is also expanding rapidly, fuelled by gaming, podcasting, content creation and
SETTING THE STAGE St Faith’s offers students a host of opportunities to blossom in the performing arts, including joining the school production and learning musical instruments
expectations and prepares pupils for the realities of the performing arts world: resilience, self-reflection, determination and receiving constructive feedback. Professional-level costume, lighting and sound teams support larger-scale productions, giving pupils an authentic theatrical experience and a glimpse into industry standards. For those demonstrating exceptional promise, targeted Drama and Music scholarships offer structured pathways to deeper study. The heart of our work remains simple: the performing arts help children discover who they are and what they can become. Every rehearsal is an act of hope. Every performance is a declaration that children matter. At a time when technology is forcing us to ask what makes us uniquely human, the performing arts offer an answer. By nurturing pupils’ artistic lives, we help them find their own human identity.
the rise of the creator economy. The skills learned in drama studios and music rooms are becoming more relevant, not less. For pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities, the performing arts offer a uniquely supportive environment. Structured rehearsals, ensemble clarity and opportunities for verbal and non-verbal expression create spaces where they can thrive. At St Faith’s, a full-time performing arts assistant helps ensure lessons remain accessible. Through years 6 to 8, a more rigorous audition process mirrors senior school
To find out more about St Faith’s, visit stfaiths.co.uk
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK NOVEMBER 2026 93
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