In February 2020, Cirencester Deer Park School put on this immensely popular show. With a cast of over 130 and pupils involved in every aspect of its production, tickets for ‘Grease’ were quickly sold out.

However, pupils from The Corinium Education Trust’s primaries and other local schools in Cirencester had a preview when they were invited to watch the final dress rehearsal on Tuesday 25 February. Karen Venner, Headteacher of Chesterton Primary School, reported that pupils returned to their classrooms singing and dancing to the songs from the show and they were especially excited to see former pupils from their school on stage, something many of them now aspire to achieve!

‘Please pass on our thanks and our congratulations to the staff and students involved in the Grease production. 120 pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Cirencester Primary School attended the dress rehearsal and we were absolutely blown away by the quality of the singing, the live music, the acting, the direction, the costumes and the scenery. This is by far the best production Deer Park have done yet and I hope you feel very proud of the children and staff involved - what an achievement!’ Year 6 Teacher.

While ambitious, the decision to ‘double cast’ the show and perform it over four nights was inspired; it gave a wider group of pupils the opportunity to share the lead roles engendered a real sense of camaraderie and there is no doubt the friendships forged will last a long time.  

‘It was about this time last year that Mrs Gleed, Head of Expressive Arts, came to see me about doing Grease The Musical. She was very persuasive and she needed to be! For sixteen years as a headteacher, I resisted the show, but given her and the team’s determination to make it work and our commitment to addressing the issues it raises through our wider curriculum, I finally caved in and agreed and I am incredibly pleased I did.’ Chiquita Henson, Chief Executive and Headteacher, Cirencester Deer Park School.

Directed and supported by Deer Park’s Expressive Arts’ team, pupils demonstrated tremendous team work and resilience. They were rewarded with great acclaim and standing ovations.

‘Wow! Wow! Wow! What a show, we all had such a lovely evening my 10 year old son and his friend loved every minute and can’t wait to come to Deer Park in 2021. Well done to each and every one of you, you are all awesome.’ Parent of Year 5, Year 8 and Year 10.

‘Please pass on our praise and admiration to your amazing young actors who performed the Grease production. My friend and I took our daughters to let them see what the school could offer in the Drama department, should they get into the school. I am really pleased to say that my daughter now has a place in September and cannot wait to start! The children were totally amazing and it was a great example to set showing that amongst all the homework and hard work, these individuals still make time to learn all of those lines, songs, dances etc and still have fantastic fun by the looks of things along the way. They were absolutely amazing.’ Year 6 Parent.