Bournemouth & Poole College

Bournemouth & Poole College offers a highly immersive Performing Arts curriculum, housed in the purpose-built Jellicoe Theatre complex on the Poole campus. The centrepiece is a professional-grade 135‑seat theatre, equipped with an industry-standard Congo Jnr. lighting rig, DigiCo SD9 sound desk, and HD AV broadcasting capabilities—supported by rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, and a live relay green room. The complex also includes dance studios, digital media suites, and technical classrooms, enabling a holistic learning environment.

Students engage in over 20 public productions each year, including musicals, plays, devised theatre, and showcases produced at multiple levels of their performing arts diploma and foundation degrees. Performance remains central to the curriculum from Day One—courses emphasize practical skills in acting, contemporary theatre, musical theatre, and production alongside academic study in dramaturgy, voice-over, and professional development.

Teaching is delivered by experienced professionals who bring industry connections and real-world insight into the classroom. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is encouraged, with students often working with peers from radio, film, and events courses to develop projects in authentic performance settings—including external venues like Poole’s Lighthouse gallery. Coursework includes industry placements, theoretical analysis, and workshops led by visitor artists to promote employability and practical skill acquisition.

Final-year students complete major performance and production projects—such as Brain Storm, The Domino Effect, and Be More Chill—demonstrating advanced skills in performance, design, and technical management. These public-facing capstone shows serve both as an academic culmination and professional showcase. Assessment is ongoing and includes practical showcases, written work, and oral presentations, reflecting sector standards in creative practice and critical reflection