Introduction

We are an 11-18 RC school with specialist arts status, with emphasis on visual arts but also music, drama and performing arts are a central plank of the school's creative ethos. We became a specialist arts college in 2000 and have our own purpose built community art gallery, which has hosted many exhibitions since opening in February 2002.

We are fully booked two years in advance and have recently had an exhibition by Anthony Green RA. We have exhibited the work of local, national and international artists as well as regular exhibitions of student's work from this institution and others. We are highly successful in examinations and many of our students go on to study art at university. We teach to GCSE and A level in Fine Art/Ceramics/Textiles/Photography and History of Art. We recently had 3 self portraits by our students exhibited as winners in the nationwide Times/Tate Modern portrait competition.

We have worked extensively with Creative Partnerships Tees Valley on a range of creative projects and have established links with many professional artists and businesses who support us in work related learning.

Music Department

The Music Department has a long and rich tradition of music making and has been an integral part of the Arts College Development for the last three years. We are a team of four fully qualified music specialists and our accommodation is of first rate quality. The new purpose- built music suite includes a state-of-the-art digital recording studio as well as a sixth form study area, six practice rooms and a computer suite equipped with Sibelius Software.

We offer Music and Music Technology at AS and A2 Level as well as Music as part of a Performing Arts Course. Our success in sending students to university and Music College is excellent. Pass rate in both subjects is 100%. Past students include Stephen Magee who now plays principal bassoon in the Halle Orchestra and Janick Gers of Iron Maiden fame.

The extra- curricular life of the music department is a busy and varied one. We can boast an orchestra and chamber choir of 45 members each, a very successful Big band, guitar groups, Rock Bands and many other instrumental ensembles. The music department together with the Drama, Art, and English departments stage a musical every year which a large number of Sixth Form participate. High profile concert appearances include The Sage, Ripon, Newcastle and Durham Cathedrals as well as the Gala Theatre in Durham.