Helenswood School Specialist Status
We have had specialist Arts College status since 2002, were redesignated in 2006. and now in 2009. This specialism enables the school to develop creative learning across the curriculum and to work closely with partner schools and the wider community. It helps to raise achievement across the ability range leading to whole school improvement.
We have two dedicated Drama Studios, a Dance Studio and three music rooms newly equipped with music technology equipment.
As part of our Arts College status we are committed to working together with our four partner Primary Schools and share our Arts resources. Every year each partner Primary School performs a dance piece in the Helenswood Dance Show at the Phoenix Arts Centre, now in its 6th year. We are using our specialist expertise across the curriculum and outside in the community/partner schools to develop creativity, an example of this is our leadership of THE SHOW – an event held together to raise funds for charity and foster a culture of volunteering. Since 2003 we have sponsored and lead in the development of a Summer Youth Theatre at the Stables Theatre. Initially involving ourselves and William Parker Sports College, this year we have attracted students from outside the Hastings area. This years production will be Gomenghast an adaptation of Mervyn Peake’s gothic novels. This runs 
from 2nd to 5th September. We are in partnership with the East Sussex Music Service and every Thursday we host Rock School at a Lower site in the Music Department, which is open to students all over the area.We are also working with the Hastings Philharmonic Choir We are running a dance project entitled “Bedlam Dance” which is collaboration between Helenswood School and the Excellence Cluster. We are working together with the University Hastings on a project with our Gifted and Talented students and for the third year will be sponsoring the Create the Future Careers Event at UCH in September. We also run two dance clubs after school – the Gecko Dance Company, which is aimed at Gifted & Talented dance students and YC Youth Dance which is for a younger group. These clubs are open to students from other schools.
Helenswood School is in partnership with Hastings and Sussex Creative Partnerships team. This allows us to work together to develop the creative skills of our students. We worked with Hastings Museum on a combined project as part of the Creative Partnership’s Culture Shared programme which culminated in a performance at the Museum which was open to everyone. As part of this partnership we became a Change School in 2008 which enables us to work with creative professionals and help develop more creative approaches to teaching and learning within and beyond the classroom. Our project this year involves developing outdoor spaces for learning. We are also working with the Stade Education Unit developing teaching and learning materials, and performances which reflect and explore the rich heritage of the Hastings fishing community.
Following an intense selection process, Helenswood was selected to join the RSC’s unique Learning Network in 2008. This three year partnership programme in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Warwick University will enable us to become a leading school in the teaching of Shakespeare. We are one of only ten schools in the country to be chosen to take part this year. We are working closely with professional practitioners exploring innovative approaches to teaching Shakespeare; developing links across the local community through workshops in feeder school; taking part in gala festivals across the country and offering students opportunities to take part in major productions.
We organize frequent theatre visits and have regular workshops with professional actors, dancers and directors. Among recent workshop visitors have been the actor Ian Redford, Freefall Dance and Richard Alston Dance Company. In recognition of excellence in the performing arts Helenswood was awarded Artsmark Gold by the Arts Council of England in 2009. This is for an unprecedented third time, we achieved it in 2003 and 2009 and followed an intensive application and evaluation process by the Arts Council.
