The Hammond School, Hammond School of Arts

• Location: Chester, Cheshire, England,
• Year of foundation: 1917,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

The Hammond School is a specialized school focusing on teaching performing arts to students aged 11-18.

Founded in 1917 by dance teacher and performer Irene Hammond, the institution quickly developed and improved — today, the Hammond School is considered a sought-after professional institute where students obtain specialized and academic preparation to continue their academic path at the best universities and colleges in the country and abroad. A rich curriculum in the performing arts is organically integrated into the daily schedule, contributing to excellent academic results. Studying in all disciplines is conducted in small groups, allowing each student to achieve success.

The Hammond School is highly regarded by national and international agencies, which often highlight the quality of its academic preparation. Despite the school's specialization in several art forms, the student schedule is balanced and includes both core subjects and studying under qualified teachers. The rankings also note the modern and diverse campus infrastructure, the high quality of teaching, and the extensive opportunities for talent development beyond the school itself.

The weekly schedule is ideally balanced for each age group, ensuring equal attention to the study of core academic subjects and the chosen performing arts specialty. Teachers provide comprehensive support both during lessons and outside of class: students attend additional studying sessions, various master classes and seminars, and language support classes at the EAL English Club.

Hammond School offers programs at two academic levels:

• Senior School for students aged 11-16,
• Sixth Form for students aged 16-18.

The school specializes in teaching performing arts in three areas:

• Music,
• Acting, drama,
• Dance.

Several residential buildings located near the academic facilities provide comfortable accommodation for students aged 11 to 16. The residences offer several types of rooms, each equipped with the necessary furniture: a bed, a wardrobe, and a workstation. Typically, bathrooms are shared and located on the floor.

Students living in the residences are accompanied by staff who provide 24/7 support and supervision. They are also responsible for organizing events after classes and on weekends, and for many additional services, such as laundry. Dance teams can submit laundry daily, and several days a week are allocated for changing bed linen and towels, washing everyday clothes and school uniforms.

Each residence has a dining hall with a wide range of basic food products available, from fruits and healthy snacks to full meals, and alternative dishes for students with allergies or special preferences.

Students have many additional opportunities to showcase their talents to a wider audience: during extracurricular hours, they can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions, Model United Nations conferences in the Netherlands, subject olympiads in natural sciences or mathematics, or travel to New York in groups for a performing arts festival. These extracurricular activities allow students to broaden their horizons, gain an additional advantage for their university application, and, of course, hone their skills and develop their strengths.

• Excellent exam results: 100% of students successfully pass GCSE, A-Level every year,
• Specialized preparation in several areas: music, dance, acting,
• Accreditation by the Dance Education Council,
• Member of the Association of Independent Schools together with eight schools funded by the Music and Dance Scheme,
• One of «seven schools where academic achievement is at the highest level« — The Stage ranking,
• High level of employment and continuation of the academic path after graduation.

The Hammond School's educational campus is located in Chester, Cheshire, occupying a compact site and several buildings, each of which houses a wide variety of specialist facilities and a number of academic classrooms:

• Studying rooms with interactive equipment,
• Scientific laboratories,
• Computer room,
• Library and reading room, separate rooms for individual work,
• Dance studios: ballet, jazz, modern and others,
• Theater halls, rehearsal rooms and a performance hall,
• Music studios for playing instruments, singing, orchestra,
• Recording studio,
• Theater hall with a capacity of 420 seats.

The studying is organized in three terms throughout the academic year:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-March,
• Summer: April-July.

Classes are held on weekdays, with weekends, public holidays, and seasonal breaks providing time off. The schedule includes lessons in core subjects and studying in the chosen performing arts discipline, as well as time for independent study and rest – the school day continues until 6:00 PM.

Approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation and meals,
• Individual lessons,
• EAL language support,
• Some extracurricular activities, such as excursions,
• External exams,
• Annual school fees covering attendance at in-house concerts, use of technology and other services,
• Medical insurance, on-demand service,
• Personal expenses.

Applicants must complete the registration form, provide personal documents, and pay the registration fee. The admissions committee invites candidates for an interview and audition:

• Acting, musical theatre — monologue, song from the provided list, you can (if you wish) perform on an instrumental instrument,
• Dance — a short choreographic performance in the chosen dance direction: ballet, modern, jazz or other.

Based on the results of the assessment, admission committee selects candidates and sends to them an official invitation to enroll.

Year after year, 100% of upper secondary school students achieve excellent results in GCSE and A-Level: in 2022, 100% of students received grades 4 and above in five GCSE subjects, and in A-Level exams, 82% received grades from A* to C. Such results allow graduates to enter leading universities in the UK and other countries, and to find employment in the best theatres, dance companies and musical ensembles. Many of our graduates have secured roles in West End theatre, and have become students at Russell Group and Oxbridge universities.

Admission to the Hammond School is based on the results of the entrance examinations, and applicants must provide the following before taking the exams:

• Personal documents, including an international passport, health insurance and medical certificates, a visa or a UK residence permit,
• Academic transcripts from your previous place of study.

Studying is conducted in English, therefore candidates must demonstrate a high level of proficiency.

The Hammond School implements several funding programs:

• The Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) is the government's main tool for supporting talented musicians and dancers, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. The scholarship provides a limited number of places, usually around 10 per year, which are awarded based on the highest score in the audition. MDS also considers financial need, meaning the amount paid depends on the family income, among other things.
• The Dance and Drama Awards (DaDAs) are annual scholarships for students in all disciplines of the performing arts, pursuing a professional diploma program. The award is paid based on high achievement in the audition.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision