Brighton College is delighted to have received an unprecedented three accolades in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide: UK Boarding School of the Year 2025, Top School of the Year for A-levels 2025 and Top Academic School in South East England 2025.
The Sunday Times rankings also place Brighton College as the Top Co-Educational School in the UK.
Whether taking weekly dance lessons, performing with our champion Chamber Choir, playing in a rock band in the House Music competition or taking centre stage in one of our many annual productions, we encourage pupils to get involved in the performing arts, as they provide a wonderful opportunity to develop their skills outside of the classroom, grow in confidence and learn to express themselves thoughtfully and creatively.
Each year, we stage a vast range of musical, dramatic and dance productions, from informal concerts to major performances. Our theatre complex houses a 400-seat theatre, Dance School and Drama Studio. The Music School has a stunning Recital Hall that seats 150 and completes our amazing performing arts spaces.
Music
Each week, over 25 ensembles rehearse in the Music School to prepare for the 70 concerts, competitions and events that take place each year. From percussion groups and swing bands, to the award-winning chamber choir and symphony orchestra, we offer musical opportunities for everyone on all orchestral instruments, voice, classical and electric guitar, harp, piano and organ. Our pupils go on to study music at the Royal Academy of Music, Oxbridge and Trinity College, London, among others.
Drama
At Brighton College, Drama builds personal confidence and empowers pupils to explore their creativity. In addition to the GCSE course, we stage four major performances per year, take part in the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, host playwriting competitions, and we offer LAMDA lessons (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts), meaning that any pupil can participate in drama, even if they are not pursuing it as an academic option. In the last few years pupils have successfully auditioned for RADA, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Dance
Dance at Brighton College attracts huge numbers of boys and girls, both with and without experience. From hip hop, jazz and ballet to tap, modern and contemporary, there are classes for everyone. From learning basic steps to performing at festivals and international competitions, our pupils benefit from the experience of our passionate and professional team. We have several annual headline events, including our highly popular Dance Show.
Our departments work closely together to deliver a programme of productions, from ensemble pieces through to principal productions, in the new theatre. Taking part in a performance at Brighton College is a rite of passage, but they are more than just shows; they are a way in which the school brings pupils together as a team, to nurture collaboration and community.
We know how important it is to have the space to express yourself, so we are very lucky to have an abundance of creative spaces for pupils to use.
Our stunning 400-seat theatre is truly breathtaking, providing pupils with the opportunity to not only perform on a professional stage, but also gain theatre management experience.
With its professional sprung floor, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and ballet barres, our new and purpose-built Dance Studio is the perfect space for our budding dancers.
Our state-of-the-art Drama Studio provides the College with its own adaptable black box theatre. It provides an excellent teaching space, as well as being extremely adaptable for GCSE and A-level productions and smaller-scale plays and events.
In our RIBA award-winning Music School, our pupils enjoy professional rehearsal, recording and performance spaces.
Each year, we offer scholarships to pupils demonstrating outstanding ability in the Arts.