ADMISSIONS ENQUIRIES: 020 7428 1520
GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 020 7267 6266
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The Arts

Extensive Arts Pathways

The creative and performing arts are highly successful at Canonbury Senior School, supporting many individual and varied interests. Art, drama and music are all offered to appeal to and uncover different talents, which makes for an incredibly rich and vibrant portfolio of student work, spanning architecture, fashion, stone carving, photography, film, musical theatre and jazz, to name a few.

Art, drama and music are all taught at Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) to build up confidence, enthusiasm and creativity in key areas relevant to each subject. Students are then able to make an informed decision as to whether to continue with a chosen subject at GCSE and beyond.

Canonbury Visual Arts

Curriculum

Our vibrant Art & Design curriculum offers students hands-on experience across a wide range of traditional and contemporary media.
From painting and sculpture to ceramics, printmaking, photography, film, and digital design, students build technical skills and visual confidence from early on.

Exhibitions

A unique part of the NBH Canonbury arts experience is King Edward’s Hall, a distinctive and characterful space that serves as both a creative studio and exhibition venue.
Students display their work here in curated shows and collaborative workshops, developing a strong sense of ownership and creative pride.

GCSE and Beyond

At GCSE level, pupils further refine their techniques and build thoughtful, personalised portfolios.
Many go on to exhibit at the Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists’ Summer Show, enter ISA art competitions, and join specialist clubs like stone carving, which support both artistic ambition and creative exploration.

Canonbury Performing Arts

Curriculum and Workshops

Drama at Canonbury encourages students to develop confidence, collaboration, and creative storytelling.
Specialist teachers guide pupils through every element of theatre-making, from devising and performance to lighting, set design, and stage management. To support the development of practical skills, students take part in workshops with visiting practitioners including stage combat, movement, and voice coaching, providing insight into industry techniques and new theatrical styles.

Performances

Each year, students participate in a range of performance opportunities.
Performances include:
  • House drama competitions that promote friendly rivalry and creative expression
  • A dedicated Key Stage 3 production
  • A full-scale whole-school production, where older pupils (KS4 and KS5) often take leading roles while younger students form the ensemble

LAMDA 

Many students also opt to take LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) lessons, where they consistently achieve Distinctions and Merits.
These qualifications support students’ confidence in public speaking and performance and contribute positively to both academic work and university applications.

Canonbury Music

Curriculum

Music at Canonbury is inclusive, enriching, and highly creative. During Key Stage 3, students explore a broad range of musical styles, compose using tools like Logic Pro and Sibelius, and develop their performance skills on chosen instruments.

GCSE and Beyond

At GCSE, students build on this foundation through deeper study of musical theory, world music, and advanced composition.
Regular rehearsals prepare pupils for performance as part of our choirs, orchestras, and bands, culminating in key events such as the Christmas and Summer concerts.

Performances

In addition to the Christmas and Summer concerts, students also have opportunities to take part in recitals and competitions throughout the year, showcasing their progress and building confidence as soloists or ensemble musicians.

Supporting the Curriculum

Canonbury’s central London location provides an exceptional backdrop for creative learning. Students regularly visit world-renowned institutions such as the National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, National Portrait Gallery, and the West End, enriching their understanding of artistic styles, movements, and performance traditions. These experiences bring classroom learning to life and inspire new creative directions.

A key local partnership with the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art enables students to go even further, participating in artist-led workshops and exclusive student exhibition takeovers. This collaboration allows pupils to explore curation, presentation, and interpretation in a real-world setting. For older students, international art and cultural trips to cities such as New York, Paris, Rome, and Berlin provide unique global insights that support their GCSE work and broaden their creative perspectives.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Outside the classroom, students continue to develop their talents and interests through a diverse programme of creative opportunities. Art Club and the popular summer stone carving course allow pupils to deepen their practice in an informal and exploratory environment, while music rehearsals and ensembles provide regular chances to perform and collaborate.

Those involved in school productions gain experience not only on stage, but also in technical and support roles such as lighting, costume, set design, and front-of-house. These experiences foster confidence, teamwork, and leadership. Whether showcasing artwork, playing in a concert, or contributing behind the scenes, students are encouraged to take creative risks, share their passions, and grow in both skill and self-belief.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ENRICHMENT

Join us at an open event

Our open events provide the opportunity to see the school in action, meet our Head, Mrs Charlotte Tassell-Dent, our brilliant staff and pupils, and learn more about what life at Canonbury really looks like.

BOOK AN OPEN EVENT

Discover more about admissions

Our admissions process is designed to be as straightforward and supportive as possible, setting your child on the path to an excellent education experience.

Find out more about the application process through to the point of offer and enrolment with our step-by-step guide.

SENIOR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
SIXTH FORM ADMISSIONS

North Bridge House Canonbury Senior School


ADMISSIONS ENQUIRIES:020 7428 1520
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:020 7267 6266