On the first day of our Year of Creativity, we are delighted to announce that Truro School has been named the winner of the prestigious Talk Education National Awards for Performing and Creative Arts, recognising the school’s exceptional commitment to fostering creativity, artistic excellence, and inclusivity. This national accolade highlights Truro School’s dynamic creative arts program, which plays a central role in the school’s educational offering and continues to inspire both pupils and the wider community.

Truro School’s Head, Andy Johnson, expressed immense pride in receiving this award, “I am absolutely thrilled for all our pupils, staff and the wider creative community we support, to receive this award. In a national climate where the value of the creative arts can sometimes be questioned in education or the community, we are proud to be championing it instead. This award comes at a time when we are amplifying our belief in creativity too, in partnership with the Cornwall Music Services Trust and other local organisations and advocates, through the building of a new music centre for School and community use.”

Truro School’s performing and creative arts program has long been a cornerstone of its identity, with a busy 250-seat theatre routinely hosting School or community productions or performances. Recent highlights included a stunning and widely acclaimed musical ‘Crossroads’ written by a current Truro School pupil Scarlett, a tradition of major musicals including Les Misérables, and a now thriving annual Festival of rock, jazz, music, drama and the arts held every summer on the school site – this year, for the first time, also involving children from other local primary and secondary schools. The excitement and ambition continues for the school’s upcoming production of Chicago, which promises to deliver another unforgettable run of five performances. The school’s dedication to creativity extends beyond performance too, with an in-house and pupil-led Drama Tech Team, trained in technical theatre and routinely overseeing every performance. This team has also ventured into filmmaking, further developing the school’s artistic footprint.

Musical partnership is also key to our creative and community identity. Our support for and work with the Cornwall Music Services Trust, a charity ensuring access to music-making and music education for thousands of children across the county, is a jewel in our creative crown. Similarly, we are privileged to educate and support the boy and girl Choristers of Truro Cathedral, who have previously earned standing ovations on Britain’s Got Talent, generated a global musical event to raise climate awareness ahead of the G7 conference in 2021, and, most recently, were invited to be at the heart for the choir singing for the King’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Talk Education’s Editorial Director, Teddy Wolstenholme, spoke of Truro School’s win, saying, “It was no easy task whittling down our shortlist and choosing our winners. We were really keen to make our awards different, and instead of replicating the same old categories you’ve seen time and time again, we wanted to give space and a platform to schools who are really forging ahead with innovative ideas and initiatives. We are really impressed not just by your outstanding performing arts provision, but also your inspiring commitment to sharing your facilities and resources with the wider community via your partnership with the Cornish Music Service Trust and your work on your Music Project.”

The school’s commitment to community engagement through outreach projects, workshops, and partnerships further amplifies its impact on the local cultural landscape. With an exciting vision for the future, including the championing of diverse musical genres and the construction of a state-of-the-art music centre scheduled for completion in 2026, Truro School continues to push the boundaries of creative excellence.