Theatre to build secondary school that will reject EBacc

Royal & Derngate theatre is planning to build a secondary school in Northampton specialising in the cultural and creative industries.

Whilst the curriculum is not yet defined for the school, Chief Executive Martin Sutherland told AP that the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) – accused of squeezing arts education out of schools – would “not be a compatible fit” with the school’s vision.

Open consultations

Working with creative digital agency Balance, the theatre is exploring the idea of developing the school based on values of “creativity, ambition, collaboration and inclusion”.

To this end, it will host exploratory conversations, public meetings, open space events and an online consultation over the coming weeks with parents, educators and potential business sponsors to determine the school’s priorities and where there is greatest need for the building.

“In order to start shaping a truly radical education and creative learning programme we need to seek the support of educators, thinkers, artists, young people and parents who can help us develop our vision regarding creative learning in Northampton,” said Sutherland. “Together we can realise the potential that will be unlocked by opening a new cultural and creative industries school in Northampton.”

Free school

If the proposals are accepted, Royal & Derngate’s school would become the first ‘free school’ run by a theatre in the UK.

These schools are government-funded but not run by the local council. They are run on a not-for-profit basis, can be set up by a wide variety of groups – including charities, universities, parents and faith groups – and do not have to follow the national curriculum.

Whilst the theatre must wait until March 2017 to apply to the Department for Education to create the school, and until September 2017 to hear if the proposal has been accepted, it has been invited to apply to charity New Schools Network’s development programme for funding and technical support during the application process.

Sarah Pearson, Director of the New Schools Network, said: "Groups like Royal & Derngate, which are so embedded in their communities, are well positioned to bring teachers, existing schools and other experts together to create schools that really meet the needs of local children.

“I'm very excited about their initial ideas to drive greater access to the arts for all and look forward to seeing their application to the NSN Development Programme so that we can hopefully support their project in the coming months."

Commenting on the school proposals, Neil Webb, Director of Balance Design (UK) Limited, said: “Balance has long recognised the challenges faced by the cultural and creative industries, in recruiting and developing future talent, alongside the significant global opportunities for both business and young people in the sector.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Royal & Derngate to help shape a vision for an innovative new school in Northampton that can create a cultural learning ecosystem that will inspire and prepare young people for the 21st century digital economy.”