York secondary school shortlisted for prestigious national musical theatre award

The Joseph Rowntree School has been shortlisted for the MTI Award for Achievement (Image: The Joseph Rowntree School)

A secondary school is in the running for a national award recognising excellence in musical theatre.

The Joseph Rowntree School has been shortlisted for the MTI Award for Achievement in Musical Theatre Provision at the 2027 Music and Drama Education Awards.

The award celebrates schools that make musical theatre central to their music and drama education, evaluating performance opportunities, educational value, and community engagement.

Rachael Clarke, Assistant Headteacher, said: "We are delighted that the hard work and dedication of countless staff and students over the years have been recognised at a national level.

"This is a wonderful achievement for our current Performing Arts Faculty team, as well as for the many former staff and students who have contributed to this success."

The school's Vaudeville Performing Arts Faculty has staged more than 20 productions over more than 16 years, with casts of over 100 students from Years 7 to 13 each year.

Ms Clarke said: "Our productions are certainly whole-school events, involving large casts and production crews, with support from across the school community."

Previous shows have included Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR., We Will Rock You: School Edition, and Les Misérables School Edition.

The school is currently rehearsing for Newsies: The Musical, which will be staged in February 2027.