The special thing about Drama at Oxford High School GDST is that it can be real as life gets! Rich in stories, invention and practice, Drama affords students the opportunity to engage with the world and through the dramatic process not only as actors but also directors, tech crew, set-designers and even marketers. We are a department who say ‘YES!’ to student ideas, firmly believing in developing confidence and self-expression, contributing to Oxford High School’s global leaders of the future. The creating of work for performance (either under the lights, behind the scenes or designing the production itself) is integral and many girls choose to study Drama at GCSE, A Level and beyond, with some gaining coveted places at the top acting conservatoires in the UK, and alumnae have performed in lead roles on the West End, on tour and in films. Drama is a lively and collaborative subject that develops teamwork, confidence and presentation, promotes creativity, problem-solving and the ability to share and compromise as well as lead: it is a truly ‘future-proof’ part of the school experience that we encourage all to be a part of.
What do we do throughout the year?
The year is shaped differently each year as new ideas from students are suggested! For Lower School students in Year 7-9, there is an annual scripted play or musical and in January 2026 we saw the delightful production of Wendy and Peter Pan by Ella Hickson. Year 7 Drama club has been superbly led by Hannah R (Year 9) who is directing her own play, with a cast of enthusiastic Year 7 performers. In Year 8 we have 6 ‘pop up’ theatre shows as the Year 8 Drama Circus groups, throughout the year, write and produce their own plays; recently Year 8 performed a superbly brilliant Theatre-in-Education play on the Titanic story.
In the Senior School (Year 10-13) there is an opportunity to take part in the 150th Whole School Musical. In June 2026 the school hall will be transformed into the barricades of the French revolution as we put on our own all female production of Les Misérables. There are, of course, House Drama performances in July and also the infamous staff pantomime at Christmas! As ever, our Drama Scholars across the school are involved in all dramatic opportunities, whether supporting front of house, leading a club, or performing on stage, directing a play or technical backstage crew member.
Year 7-9 Lower School Production of Wendy and Peter Pan by Ella Hickson
Individual and creative artwork for the Wendy and Peter Pan poster by Romana M, Year 9
This year’s Lower School Play, Wendy and Peter Pan (Ella Hickson/RSC), involved 53 cast members and 21 production team members (almost exclusively drawn from Years 7-9) and was ambitiously staged with two separate Lost Boys/Pirates companies, allowing everyone who auditioned to be part of the production. This inclusive approach is central to extra-curricular drama at Oxford High School GDST, as is the importance of developing the understanding of what it is to be part of an ensemble: creative problem solving, team work, support and generosity when things are hard. In a world where AI solutions are increasingly seen as the answer, the theatre is still one of the very best places for learning ‘future proof’ higher level skills, with the added bonus of a huge round of applause at the end! Wendy and Peter Pan follows productions including: Around The World In 80 Days, Arabian Nights, Grimm Tales and Shakespeare In Love.
Senior School (Year 10-13) 150th Whole School Musical, Les Misérables
Our whole school production of Les Misérables was nothing short of spectacular! Months of hard work, dedication and collaboration culminated in a truly unforgettable production and a wonderful celebration of the senior school community, celebrating the school’s 150th year. The show showcased not only exceptional talent but also teamwork, kindness, and mutual support. As an all-female cast, our students embraced every role with remarkable confidence and skill, bringing iconic characters to life with depth and conviction. From the actors, musicians and backstage crew to wardrobe, lighting, and sound, as well as front of house, our students took the lead every step of the way, working together to deliver a powerful and moving production. We are so proud of every single student involved. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on an outstanding achievement!
Lucy (Year 9) played Lesgles and Young Cosette in the company
‘I was really thrilled to be part of the amazing company of Les Misérables. Not only was it a once-in-a-lifetime musical to be in, but the all-female cast made it extra special and impressive! It was such a great experience, both for older students who are leaving this year and the new year 7s, for whom this was their first musical! It was so inspiring to lower school students to see the Y12 and Y13 students so confident onstage: their camaraderie and leadership were much appreciated.
Learning to act through song was challenging, particularly for some who were used to performing in plays with just dialogue, but soon it became second nature. I’d like to thank everyone involved. I really appreciated the opportunity to be in such an exceptional performance and I think I speak for everyone in the cast and crew when I say that this will be an experience I will never forget.
Vive la France!
The Robber Bridegroom: A Level Devising Performance
For her A level devising performance, Isabella A (Year 13 Drama Scholar) took inspiration from the folktale ‘The Robber Bridegroom’ by the Grimm Brothers; a cautionary tale about wealthy strangers, dark woods and what the outwardly respectable suitor hides. Isabella drew her inspiration from the practitioner ‘Kneehigh’ and their production of ‘The Red Shoes’.
Kneehigh was an internationally touring company based in Cornwall that closed in June 2021, during COVID, after 40 years of operation. The company was known for its innovative and energetic productions, which often adapted novels and myths and featured live music, puppetry and strong visual design. Isabella’s aim for the piece of theatre was to highlight female agency and resourcefulness. The heroine’s cleverness and curiosity allow her to survive and expose a criminal, a significant step beyond passive victimhood in folklore. Defying her own cultural expectations of marriage and a curse, the heroine ‘dares to dance a different dance’.
Theatre Trips
As part of our GCSE and A level curriculum, students attend many theatre productions. This academic year we have seen ‘The Bacchae’ at the National Theatre, Blood Brothers at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Moments by Theatre Re at the North Wall, Punch at the Apollo Theatre and we are looking forward to Lost Atoms by Frantic Assembly. We subscribe to National Theatre at Home and Digital Theatre that enables live productions to be evaluated within school. We also have an upcoming non-curriculum trip to see Les Misérables in February.
An A level theatre trip to see PUNCH in London 2025
GCSE Performances
Our Year 11 Drama students were hugely congratulated for excelling in their Drama GCSE devising component in the autumn term. From the stimulus of one photograph, from Gregory Crewdon’s collection of ‘Beneath The Roses’, students created a diverse collection of performances. The topics covered ranged from biopics of Marilyn Monroe and Whitney Houston to tackling mental health issues and the Tudor Court of Mary Boleyn. The department also mentored one Year 11 Drama student who designed the sound for a piece, using Qlab, an industry standard software. All students are to be celebrated for contributing to the process – from a blank page to a completed script, plus the producing, sound, lighting, direction and final performance.
Drama Amongst the Staff
Each Christmas, the Year 13 prefects and Drama scholars write a pantomime for the teachers of Oxford High School. It will come as no surprise that the staff room is filled with as many thespians as there are in the student body! The 2025 Christmas Pantomime was based on Harry Potter, and led by Caomihe B, Jessica S, Malavika M and Isabella A, amongst other generous and talented sixth formers who impressed us all with their leadership skills and vision. They directed us all extremely well and had enormous fun telling us where to stand and how to ‘act better’.
Year 10 Company
‘Year 10 Company’ was born out of Oxford High School’s entry into the National Theatre: Connections festival in 2018-19 and since then it has continued to offer students the chance to be part of a smaller ensemble performing contemporary or entirely new writing. Previous productions include Dungeness, Girls Like That, DNA, Chatroom and Chaos. Students have enjoyed the highly collaborative experience and the chance to tackle often challenging material.
House Drama
House Drama is the always hotly contested ‘final act’ of the OHS Drama calendar. With scripts written by the House Prefects to a theme provided by the Drama Department – in 2025 it was ‘Back To The Future’ in honour of the launch of our 150th anniversary – every House member is encouraged to participate either as a performer or part of the production team. Those not involved directly offer highly partisan (though always good natured) support from the audience. Expect teacher parodies, cultural references a plenty, OHS in-jokes, and a highly inventive approach to staging as each performance packs in as much as it can into 12 wonderfully creative minutes.
Year 7 Drama Club by Hannah R
The Year 7 Drama Club is now in its second year and is run by Hannah, year 9, each week on a lunchtime. Here she explains her experiences:
Running the Year 7 Drama Club has been a valuable opportunity that has helped me develop as a leader within the school community. With the support and encouragement of the school I have grown in confidence, organisation and communication. I’ve learned how to plan sessions, manage a group of younger students and adapt activities to suit different abilities. The school has provided guidance that has allowed me to take responsibility and develop my leadership skills in a supportive environment. It also enables the younger girls to connect to an older girl who can mentor them and help them settle in our school community. Hannah R
We are also enjoying rehersals for Agnes P (Drama Scholar) and Esme E’s Year 7 club production of Arabian Nights, soon to be performed.
The Annual Year 12 Summer Play
Each year the Year 12 produce, direct and act in a play of their choice. Last summer the Year 12 performed The Final Dress Rehearsal by Jack Frakes. This year, Abby H (Drama Scholar) has written a new version of The Women of Troy, which will be performed later in the academic year.
Technical Opportunities
There are so many opportunities to get involved in Drama without performing. At Oxford High School we ‘lead from the back’ as well as the front! Our superb team of technicians run the show from backstage. Our lead student technician usually is the Deputy Stage Manager for the show. They send communications to the gallery where a crew of technicians picks up the cues and the sound and lighting magic begins. There are many roles, including operating live radio microphones, sound effects, lighting, follow spotting as well as video design and operation.
Meanwhile a capable and steady stage management team is busy arranging the set and props on stage and the wardrobe team are sewing, stitching, finding costumes and creating a design that suits the era. Stage management and technical students have gone on to work in the industry and have worked in other professional theatres such as the North Wall in Oxford, Old Vic in Bristol and the Unicorn Theatre in London.
