History of the School
Arabesque has been established as a part time school since 1992.
The Principal Cynthia Ryder opened the school following her training at the Italia Conti Theatre Academy. The school started with only fifteen pupils who attended classes in various church and village halls. As the school grew Cynthia realised that for the school to expand it needed a permanent home and in 1994 Arabesque moved into its own premises. The school very quickly grew to some 200 pupils and outgrew its first home within 18 months.
After a long search for suitable premises the school moved to its current location. Initially just on the first floor, however it became clear that as the school grew to some 450 students more space was needed, and in 2005 the opportunity arose to expand into the entire building.
With the school going from strength to strength and now having bigger premises, opening a full time stage school seemed a natural progression and in September 2006 the full time school opened with just 9 students.
We pride ourselves on a relaxed happy family like atmosphere where classes are small and students are given full attention as well as a good environment in which to learn and achieve a very high standard both academically and vocationally.
All students are encouraged to take examinations and participate in performances. Full time students also work in a relaxed atmosphere where small classes benefit their learning. Students follow the national curriculum at KS3 and work towards GCSE’s. in KS4
Although some students take some GCSE’s early.
All students have the opportunity to take ballet,modern and tap examinations(ISTD) and acting and verse and Prose examinations (LAMDA)
Our vocational and academic examination results are outstanding. We have a 100% A*-C GCSE pass rate and 98% of our students gain an A in their vocational examinations.
Students who choose to continue their academic education gain places ain the sixth forms at the schools of their choice including Portsmouth Grammar School, St Phillip Howard, Bishop Luffa and Havant College. Those students who choose to gain entry at Vocational colleges gain places at such prestigeous colleges as Laine Theatre Arts, Performers College, Bird College, Italia Conti Academy, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music)
D and B performing Arts.
