The Academy
Arts Aptitude Programme
Creativity is at the heart of our Academy
We are proud to offer a unique opportunity for students with a passion for the Arts to join our dedicated Arts Aptitude Programme. Open to a limited number of students each year, the programme nurtures young talent in art, dance, drama and music – providing them with a platform to grow, explore, and express themselves
Students on the programme will:
- Study the full Academy curriculum while receiving enhanced Arts provision.
- Join a creative cohort with extra opportunities to develop their skills.
- Access specialist workshops, performances, and enrichment activities.
- Benefit from expert teaching and links with professional organisations like the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Opportunities beyond the classroom
From Theatre School to Choir, gallery exhibitions to dance showcases – our Arts Aptitude students are at the centre of everything we do creatively. Whether they’re performing on stage, developing artwork for display, or collaborating on school productions, they gain real-world experience and grow in confidence.
Recent student experiences provided by the Birmingham Hippodrome Education Network include:
- Backstage theatre tour trips.
- Young Choreographers experiences.
- The Colour Purple workshop, Page to Stage sessions and professional performance.
- Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake workshop and professional performance.
- Audition experiences with the Birmingham Hippodrome, Motion House and Zoonation.
- Eun-me Ahn Dragonsworkshop and professional perfromance.
- Work experience opportunities at the Birmingham Hippodrome for KS4 and KS5.
How to apply
The Arts Aptitude Programme is open to 28 students each year. To apply:
- Complete the Arts Aptitude application form available on our website.
- Apply to the Academy via your Local Authority as part of the regular admissions process.
We will invite applicants to attend an interview where they can talk about their experiences in the Arts and share a portfolio or examples of their work.
Please note: The deadline for Arts Aptitude applications is three weeks before the Local Authority application deadline.
Your creative journey starts here
Many of our Arts Aptitude students go on to perform, exhibit, and succeed both inside and outside of school. If your child is creative, passionate, and eager to grow – this programme could be the perfect fit.