Performing Arts

Creative and Media is a lively, popular area of school where there is always a buzz of activity.

Music

Learning to play a musical instrument can be a challenging but extremely rewarding undertaking. At Congleton High School we have a team of well-qualified and experienced specialist teachers who are able to offer individual tuition for a wide variety of instruments, including:

Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Violin,
Viola, Cello, Guitar (bass, acoustic, electric), Piano, Keyboard, Drums, Singing

Students can simply pursue an interest or have the opportunity to prepare for practical examinations. 

No matter what stage they are at in their musical development, students can also get involved and perform in a wide range of instrumental and choral groups, such as the school choir, jazz band and samba band. Students perform in school assemblies, workshops with professional musicians, concerts, local primary schools and whole school drama productions. 

Drama and dance

Having acquired the basic skills in lessons, students can put them to good use in the many activities which take place in drama and dance. Each year there is a major school production for which all students are welcome to audition or participate behind the scenes helping with production, costume, makeup, lighting and set design. CHS is recognised in the local community for the quality and range of its productions, which always play to packed audiences.

2018  School of Rock
2016  Return to the Forbidden Planet
2014  Bugsy Malone
2013  We Will Rock You
2012  Grease
2010  Billy Elliot
2009  Blood Brothers
2008  High School Musical
2007  Little Shop of Horrors / The Panto Factor
2006  42nd Street / Our Day Out
2005  Sweet Charity / Bugsy Malone
2004  Return to the Forbidden Planet

To support our work at GCSE we take the students on the Cheshire Residential Drama course each year, where they work with artists and practitioners as well as working with students from other schools. At ‘A’ level we take all students on our own residential course in order to do intensive rehearsals for their practical exams. We also encourage and support students auditioning for outside organisations such as BBC TV, the National Youth Theatre and Manchester Youth Theatre.

We were recently delighted to welcome back former student and now star of musical theatre, Joel Harper Jackson, who ran a very full morning of workshops with our Drama students.

Theatre

We also have an extensive programme of theatre visits, seeing top productions in London, Manchester and Stratford-upon-Avon as well at local regional theatres. These visits not only help students with their English or Drama coursework and preparing for their exams, but give them an opportunity to experience the delight of watching a live performance. In previous years we have taken GCSE drama students to London where they have worked with members of the cast of Blood Brothers before enjoying a performance of the show. 

• 'This amazing achievement has come about not only due to the hard work of the band but also to the amazing support they've had over the years in developing their musical skills from CHS, in particular, Miss Martin. It is a testimony to what can be achieved when schools and teachers nurture talent as you have all done.' Parent, Mr Tarrant, whose son's band secured a support act concert at the Manchester Academy in 2018