Performing arts is a thriving subject at The British School of Beijing and targets pupils of all ages and experience from both BSB and the wider community. Our extensive range of creative arts allows us to boast a plethora of quality performances for our Primary and Secondary school, producing two whole school productions annually, dance festivals, and various performances to name but a few.  We endeavor to ensure our creative curriculum of drama and dance both at KS3 and examination level provides opportunities to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom.

Alongside this, we have hosted a number of arts festivals and puppet theatres to provide inspiration to our ever-growing body of talent. Our sophisticated and high tech facilities are a mere backdrop to the standards of artists and performers to tread our boards, with exciting collaborations coming to BSB soon.   

Dance is currently integrated within both the curriculum, and as part of our extra curricular activity programme. The British School is leading the way by hosting annual dance competitions and preparing students for performance opportunities.  Dance is offered to students throughout the school from Pre – Nursery to Post sixteen, and provides them with an experience like no other. It promotes self-discipline, integrity and the conviction to strive for perfection. Our Dance Studio offers a range of classes across different genres and styles, taught by teachers qualified under examination boards recognised by the Theatre Dance Council International.

Drama is taught as an independent subject at The British School of Beijing, but aims to support and develop a diverse cross curricular experience, particularly through use of English speaking and listening skills. At KS 3, the breadth and balance of the drama endeavors to ensure students are taught how to create, perform and respond to drama by working with a variety of stimuli from different sources and traditions and students are given opportunities to watch and learn from peers and professionals. It aims to give children new insights into in to the world and the means to communicate their personal responses to issues in creative and effective ways. Continual assessment is carried out throughout KS 3, monitoring contributions to group work, written responses to drama, speaking and listening, performing and evaluating according the British National Curriculum. Students are formally assessed through a final piece of written work of practical performance at the end of each unit and monitored throughout for progression and development.

Drama at the school offers pupils an additional source of development and is an integral part of the school's commitment to offer each child a broad educational experience. To that end, the school puts on a number of plays and musicals throughout the year. Every child in the school is expected and encouraged to take part.

School productions provide students unique opportunities to work in groups and teams and typically involve many staff and parents further strengthening the school's sense of community. Fully equipped theatres in each campus offer children the opportunity to experience the full range of variables that go into a production: from lighting, to sound, decoration and the tension of a full house. 

Art at the British School is an invaluable addition to the whole school curriculum. Students are actively encouraged to think and work in a creative manner; exploring the potential of a variety of media and processes. The skills that the students employ are designed not only to develop fine motor skills; their ability to make and interpret a range of arts and crafts is refined and extended across the Key Stages; but, essentially art encourages  a creatively strong thinker, a student who can solve design issues and increasingly become a more independent learner.

Technicalities aside; students learn to paint, draw, and print, sculpt, use clay and work with mixed-media. Batik and textile experiences are employed within the curriculum.  Students across key stages will visit galleries, landscapes and experience arts and crafts in a manner of ways; exploring techniques and methods whenever opportunities arise.  

Increasingly when students select to study art and design for IGCSE and A’ Level their research, depth of art history and contextual studies knowledge becomes broader. Their skills are challenged and they are expected to express, justify and produce work that reflects their experience. Students can expect a course that challenges their preconceptions of art and encourages independent and creative thinking.

Workshops, excursions, hands on practical experience, hosting arts festivals all compliment the arts at BSB!