Arts Educational Schools#Chiswick School of Art

ArtsEd provides specialist vocational training at secondary, further and higher education level in musical theatre and acting for film and television. The school also offers part-time and holiday courses in the performing arts.

ArtsEd is one of twenty-one specialist performing arts schools approved to offer government-funded Dance and Drama Awards, a scheme established to subsidise the cost of professional dance and drama training for the most talented students at leading institutions.{{cite web|url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_066987|title=Grants and bursaries for adult learners|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204003441/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_066987|archive-date=4 February 2009|url-status=live}}[http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_10023485 Gov.uk: Dance and Drama 10023485] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716054443/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_10023485 |date=16 July 2007 }} It is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools.{{cite web |last1=Granger |first1=Rachel |title=Rapid Scoping Study on Leicester Drama School |url=https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2086/17394/Scoping-Curve_FINAL_Dec2018..pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |publisher=De Montfort University Leicester |access-date=7 September 2019}}

ArtsEd was founded in 1939. It was formed as a result of a merger between the Cone School of Dancing founded in 1919 by Grace Cone, and the Ripman School founded in 1922 by Olive Ripman. Both Cone and Ripman offered curricula combining a general academic education with training in the arts, in preparation for professional careers connected with the theatre. The two schools were amalgamated in 1939 to form the Cone-Ripman School, the predecessor of today's ArtsEd.{{cite web |url=https://artsed.co.uk/about-us/history/ |title=History |access-date=20 August 2021}}

The school was first based at Stratford Place in London,{{cite web |title=Survey of London: 6. Stratford Place |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/architecture/sites/bartlett/files/chapter06_stratford_place.pdf |publisher=Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London |access-date=20 August 2021 |page=31}} but following the outbreak of World War II, relocated to Tring, Hertfordshire, sharing premises with Rothschild Bank at Tring Park.

In 1941, the school reopened at Stratford Place, while the second school continued to operate in Tring. In 1947, both schools were renamed the Arts Educational Schools. The London school was later based at Hyde Park Corner (144 Piccadilly),{{cite news |last1=Cove |first1=Grace |title=The Arts Educational Schools Limited |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/42641/page/2845/data.pdf |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=The London Gazette |date=6 April 1962}} and later still at Golden Lane House in the Barbican. In 1986 the school purchased the former buildings of Chiswick Polytechnic.

In the 2000s, the two schools became independent of each other, and the Tring school has been renamed Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.{{cite web |title=Tring Park School for the Performing Arts |url=http://www.tring.gov.uk/info/artsed.htm |publisher=Tring Park School for the Performing Arts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415083328/http://www.tring.gov.uk/info/artsed.htm |access-date=20 August 2021|archive-date=15 April 2011 }} Today, Arts Educational Schools London is a co–educational Independent Day School and Sixth Form for pupils aged 11–18, and a professional conservatoire specialising in acting and musical theatre, as well as a range of part-time courses.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

For many years, the president of the school was prima ballerina assoluta Dame Alicia Markova; Dame Beryl Grey became Director in the 1960s. Dame Alicia was succeeded in 2007 by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Iain Reid was dean of the schools from 1999 until his retirement in December 2006. He was succeeded by John Baraldi, former chief executive of Riverside Studios, and former director of the East 15 Acting School; Baraldi left the school in 2009, and was succeeded by Jane Harrison. In 2017, Chris Hocking assumed the role of principal; he resigned in 2021 and was succeeded by Julie Spencer as interim principal.{{cite news |title=Arts Ed Principal Resigns After Safeguarding Report Published |url=http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conartsedabuse002.htm |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Chiswick W4 |date=24 October 2021}}

In 2013, ArtsEd was awarded a grant by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to fund a refurbishment project. The money was spent on the main theatre, costume storage, the School of Film and Television and the school's access facilities.{{cite news |title=Lloyd Webber donates £3.5million to 'Dorothy' performing arts school |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/lloyd-webber-donates-ps3-5million-to-dorothy-performing-arts-school-6365794.html |access-date=20 August 2021 |work=Evening Standard|location=London |date=12 April 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/artsed-parents-horrified-bullying-claims-andrew-lloyd-webber-drama-school-1235630908/|title=ArtsEd: 100 Parents “Horrified” Over Bullying Claims At Andrew Lloyd Webber-Backed Drama School|publisher=Deadline}}

{{main|Chiswick School of Art}}

The arts and crafts architect Maurice Bingham Adams designed the Chiswick School of Art as part of the Bedford Park Garden Suburb's community focus on the site on Bath Road in 1881. It was destroyed by a V-1 flying bomb in 1944.{{cite web |title=Chiswick School of Art |url=https://www.artbiogs.co.uk/2/schools/chiswick-school-art |website=Artist Biographies |access-date=2 August 2021}} The school was meant to provide the estate with a feeling of community. It taught classes such as "Freehand drawing in all its branches, practical Geometry and perspective, pottery and tile painting, design for decorative purposes – as in Wall-papers, Furniture, Metalwork, Stained Glass".{{cite web |title=1881 – Chiswick School of Art, Bedford Park, London |url=https://www.archiseek.com/2009/1881-chiswick-school-of-art-bedford-park-london/ |website=Archiseek |date=26 August 2009 |access-date=2 August 2021}} The school was depicted by Thomas Erat Harrison in an 1882 book Bedford Park, celebrating the then-fashionable garden suburb.{{cite book |last1=Dollman |first1=John Charles |last2=Hargitt |first2=Edward |last3=Harrison |first3=Thomas Erat |last4=Jackson |first4=F. Hamilton |last5=Nash |first5=Joseph Jr. |last6=Paget |first6=H. M. |last7=Rooke |first7=Thomas |last8=Trautschold |first8=Manfred |last9=Brooks |first9=Vincent |last10=Carr |first10=Jonathan T. |last11=Berry |first11=Berry F. |author1-link=John Charles Dollman |author2-link=Edward Hargitt |author3-link=Thomas Erat Harrison |author4-link= |author5-link=Joseph Nash |author6-link=H. M. Paget |author7-link=T. M. Rooke |author8-link= |author9-link= |author10-link= |author11-link=Berry F. Berry |title=Bedford Park |date=1882 |publisher=Harrison and Sons |oclc=193146366 }}

File:Chiswick School of Art, Bath Road, 1881.jpg|Design for Chiswick School of Art by Maurice Bingham Adams, 1881

File:School of Art, Stores and Tabard Inn by Thomas Erat Harrison 1882.jpg|School of Art, Stores and Tabard Inn by Thomas Erat Harrison, 1882

The Day School and Sixth Form cater to students aged 11 to 18. Students are required to study mainstream subjects, in preparation for the GCSE and A-Levels, alongside their performing arts pursuits.{{cite web|title=Day School Curriculum|url=https://artsed.co.uk/day-school-and-sixth-form/day-school/curriculum/|publisher=artsed.co.uk}} Besides the A-Levels pathway, Sixth Form students have an option to complete a BTEC Extended Diploma in a performing arts discipline.{{cite web|title=ArtsEd London Sixth Form – Curriculum Policy|url=https://artsed.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2a-SIXTH-FORM-CURRICULUM-POLICY-.pdf|publisher=artsed.co.uk}}

In 2015, the school was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted.{{cite web|url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/50527|title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare|last=Ofsted Communications Team|date=14 December 2017|website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk|access-date=14 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625145130/http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/50527|archive-date=25 June 2016|url-status=live}} In 2019 it ranked second in the borough for percentage of pupils passing five or more GCSEs at A*-C.{{cite news|title=School league tables in London: Find out how your school did for GCSE and A-Level results|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/school-league-tables-gcse-a-level-results-london-a4356301.html|work=Evening Standard|location=London|date=7 February 2020}}

The school had been accredited by Drama UK (organisation dissolved in 2016). It offers Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education recognised qualifications validated by the City University London or Trinity College, London.[https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/reports/the-arts-educational-schools-her-ap-17.pdf?sfvrsn=af99f481_4 Higher Education Review (Alternative Providers) of The Arts Educational Schools]. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. October 2017. A non-degree foundation course is offered for students who do not meet the academic requirements for admission into the bachelor's degree programmes.{{cite web|title=Courses: Foundation|url=https://artsed.co.uk/course-types/foundation/|publisher=artsed.co.uk}}

{{Category see also|People educated at the Arts Educational Schools}}

{{colbegin}}

• Moyo Akandé{{cite news |last=Beacom |first=Brian |title=Glasgow actress Moyo is casting spells in Macbeth |newspaper=The Glasgow Times |date=16 July 2013 |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/spring-in-the-city/13260088.glasgow-actress-moyo-is-casting-spells-in-macbeth/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |quote=I sent off applications and was accepted by Arts Educational (the London performing arts school in Chiswick)}} (Taggart, Sleeping Beauty)
• Kai Alexander{{cite web |title=Kai Alexander |url=https://tresamagazine.com/2020/06/01/kai-alexander/ |publisher=Tresa Magazine |access-date=30 May 2022 |date=1 June 2020}} (The Stranger, Catastrophe)
• Julie Andrews{{cite web | url=http://artsed.co.uk/site/alumni | title=Alumni | publisher=Arts Educational Schools London | date=2022 | access-date=30 May 2022 }} (The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins)
• Simone Ashley{{Cite journal |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a35541572/who-is-simone-ashley-bridgerton-season-2/ |title=Everything You Need To Know About 'Bridgerton' Season 2 Star Simone Ashley |journal=Cosmopolitan |first=Laura |last=Hanrahan |date=18 February 2021 |access-date=18 February 2021}} (Sex Education, Bridgerton)

• Samantha Barks{{Cite news|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/2051890_samantha_barks_in_the_popular_musical_cabaret|title=Samantha Barks in the popular musical Cabaret|first=Paul|last=Cassell|work=GetReading|date=3 June 2009|access-date=8 December 2012}} (Les Misérables on stage and screen)
• Darcey Bussell{{cite web |url=https://www.everenglish.org.uk/darcey-bussell/ |author=King, Gordon |title=Darcey Bussell |publisher=Everenglish.org.uk |access-date=26 October 2019}}{{cite news |author=Gordon, Bryony |title=Darcey Bussell: Dance? Not for my daughters |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/3562398/Darcey-Bussell-Dance-Not-for-my-daughters.html |access-date=26 October 2019 |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=21 October 2008}} (Former Principal with the Royal Ballet, Strictly Come Dancing judge)

• Gary Carr{{cite web |url=http://www.lamda.org.uk/studentfiles/2008/c2008/CARR,%20Gary.pdf |title=Gary Carr |publisher=London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |access-date=1 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717040349/http://www.lamda.org.uk/studentfiles/2008/c2008/CARR%2C%20Gary.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2011 }} (Death in Paradise, Downton Abbey, The Deuce, The Good Fight)
• Adam Cooper (Former principal with the Royal Ballet and New Adventures)
• Martin Clunes (Doc Martin, Men Behaving Badly)

• Omari Douglas (It's a Sin)

• Tom Francis{{cite web |title=ArtsEd at the 2024 Olivier Awards |url=https://artsed.co.uk/news/artsed-at-the-2024-olivier-awards/ |website=artsed |access-date=7 March 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=Watch Olivier Winner Tom Francis Sing 'Sunset Boulevard' in Music Video Directed by Jamie Lloyd |url=https://playbill.com/article/watch-olivier-winner-tom-francis-sing-sunset-boulevard-in-music-video-directed-by-jamie-lloyd |website=Playbill |access-date=7 March 2025}} (Sunset Boulevard)

• Laura Haddock{{cite magazine|title=Food: Laura Haddock and Eleanor Wylde|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/posts/view/351/Laura-Haddock-and-Eleanor-Wyld|magazine=OK!|date=29 January 2008|access-date=13 August 2009|archive-date=23 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223163032/http://www.ok.co.uk/posts/view/351/Laura-Haddock-and-Eleanor-Wyld|url-status=live}} (Da Vinci's Demons, Luther)
• Nigel Harman (EastEnders, Shrek The Musical)
• Nigel Havers{{cite web |title=The Arts Educational performing arts schools |url=https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/arts-educational-schools%E2%80%A8/ |website=The Chiswick Calendar |access-date=30 May 2022}} (Chariots of Fire, Coronation Street)

• Finn Jones (Game of Thrones, Marvel's Iron Fist)

• Bonnie Langford (Doctor Who, Spamalot, EastEnders)
• Margaret Lockwood (The Wicked Lady, The Lady Vanishes)
• Alexandros Logothetis{{cite web|url= https://greekcitytimes.com/2022/04/04/alexandroslogothetis/|title= Greek Actor Alexandros Logothetis: Real Life is Far More Interesting than a Nice Movie|last=Vitsilogiannis|first=Vassilios Nicolaos |date=4 April 2022|via=Greek City Times}} (To Nisi, Magpie Murders'')

• Lashana Lynch (Still Star-Crossed, No Time to Die)

• Madeleine Mantock{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/madeleine-mantock/bio/555851/|title=Madeleine Mantock |publisher=TV Guide|access-date=10 November 2017}} (Charmed, Into the Badlands)
• Megan McKenna{{Cite book |title=Mouthy|last=McKenna|first=Megan|publisher=John Blake|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78606-895-8}} (Ex on the Beach, The Only Way Is Essex)
• Tuppence Middleton{{cite news |last=Pickstock |first=Heather |title=Bristol actress Tuppence Middleton stars in Hitchcock TV thriller ... |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=15 March 2013 |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-actress-Tuppence-Middleton-stars/story-18421160-detail/story.html |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331180917/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-actress-Tuppence-Middleton-stars/story-18421160-detail/story.html |archive-date=31 March 2014 }} (Dickensian, War and Peace)

• Mimi Slinger{{Cite tweet|number=998907941788028928|user=ArtsEdLondon|author=ArtsEd|date=22 May 2018|title=Our brilliant Saturday Skills #Alumna Mimi Slinger, will now be appearing as a regular character, Leanna Cavanagh in @emmerdale. Congratulations Mimi!}} (Emmerdale)
• Hugo Speer (The Full Monty, The Musketeers)
• Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp{{Cite web |title=Charles Spencer on Instagram: "My son, Louis, graduated today from @artsedlondon with a First-class degree. He was selected as his year's valedictorian, and it was an absolutely beautiful speech – perfectly-delivered, touchingly generous, hugely grateful, and including references to so many of his 80 classmates. A final farewell hug to his brilliant principal here, and then on to his career. I couldn't be prouder of him – so much hard work, to add to a very rare gift. Congratulations, Louis!" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CiLBykQK7xR/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Instagram |language=en}}
• Michaela Strachan{{cite web |last1=Pelley |first1=Rich |title=Timmy Mallett and Michaela Strachan: how we made Wide Awake Club |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jul/20/wide-awake-club-timmy-mallett-michaela-strachan |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 July 2020 |date=20 July 2020}} (Springwatch, The Hit Man and Her)

• Oliver Tompsett{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Chris |title=Abingdon's Oliver Tompsett on his star role in We Will Rock You |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10553512.abingdons-oliver-tompsett-star-role-will-rock/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=Oxford Mail |date=18 July 2013}} (Wicked, We Will Rock You)
• Sally Anne Triplett (Mamma Mia!, Chicago)

• Will Young (Pop Idol Winner)
• 'Yungblud' (Dominic Richard Harrison) (21st Century Liability)

{{colend}}

File:Julie Andrews Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia 2013.jpg|Julie Andrews

File:Darcey Bussell (cropped).jpg|Darcey Bussell

File:Martin Clunes.jpg|Martin Clunes

File:Nigel Havers.jpg|Nigel Havers

File:Bonnielangford86b (cropped).jpg|Bonnie Langford

File:Will Young 2011.jpg|Will Young

• List of schools in Hounslow

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.artsed.co.uk}}
• [https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/london-area/chiswick/the-arts-educational-school-london/ Profile] on the Independent Schools Council website

{{Chiswick}}

{{Schools and colleges in Hounslow}}

{{Federation of Drama Schools}}

{{Performing Arts Schools in the United Kingdom|secondary}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Arts Educational}}

Category:The Arts Educational Schools

Category:1939 establishments in England

Category:Arts organizations established in 1939

Category:Buildings and structures in Chiswick

Category:Chiswick

Category:Dance schools in the United Kingdom

Category:Drama schools in London

Category:Educational institutions established in 1939

Category:Private co-educational schools in London

Category:Private schools in the London Borough of Hounslow

Category:Member schools of the Independent Schools Association (UK)