Welcome,
A central philosophy of creative arts education is inclusive participation. Every pupil at Bolton School has the opportunity to try out any type of creative application that interests them, whether that is as an actor, dancer, writer, musician, filmmaker or designer. Access to the arts is a cornerstone of what we do. We believe that encouraging a love of the arts promotes qualities and capabilities that equip our pupils to lead happy and fulfilled lives. Our students are well-rounded, resourceful, contemplative and confident. They go on to make a difference for good in the wider community.
‘It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.’
– Albert Einstein
Bolton School provides a diverse offer of high quality arts and cultural experiences. These opportunities occur within and beyond the school day. An exciting array of arts qualifications are available to pupils. Children’s creative output is showcased and celebrated within a busy calendar of arts and cultural events; these activities have a high uptake in school. We value partnerships with practitioners from the creative industries and specialist professionals often work within the school to enhance provision.
‘Learn the rules like a pro so that you can break them like an artist.’
– Pablo Picasso
Our curriculum is arranged around the achievement of two core objectives: access to an all-round education with a commitment to the highest standards of academic achievement and provision of a breadth of academic skills and knowledge. Within the arts curriculum we aim to foster an appreciation of and skills progression across many forms of art, music and drama. We seek to maximise the potential and development of each student. We are proudly committed to Artsmark development as a measure to celebrate, enrich and extend the cultural offer available to our students.
‘One man in his time plays many parts.’
– William Shakespeare
Our arts curriculum provides extensive, planned opportunities to perform, to see live performances and to visit art galleries and museums. Pupils are able to create and evaluate art works in an extensive range of media. Our catalogue of work with professional creatives includes: ongoing partnership work with the Octagon Theatre and the Greater Manchester Music Hub; creative writing residencies in conjunction with The Manchester Writing School; acting as host school for the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award; original composition and music technology for theatre; physical theatre and dance projects with Ludus Dance and Re:Bourne and whole school projects with our resident theatre company, Roughhouse. Our community music programme is longstanding and ambitious.
‘Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire.’
– William Butler Yeats
Pupils have pivotal involvement in the planning and delivery of the arts, including the curation of public student art exhibitions and a hand in devising work for large scale theatrical productions. We offer an extensive local, national and international trips programme alongside popular extra-curricular activities.