Pupils could have to sing or dance for their place at a Colchester school

The senior management team at Sir Charles Lucas Arts College are to be briefed on a fact-finding mission to the American school where the hit 1980 film and television series Fame was filmed.

Donal Williams, the Hawthorn Avenue school's head of drama, has just returned from La Guardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts in New York.

Pupils may have to sing or dance for a place at Sir Charles Lucas Arts College

Thanks to the worldwide success of Fame, as well as its real-life students, the school draws interest from across the globe.

And some of its best-kept secrets of success could be taken on and used by Sir Charles Lucas.

One idea is using auditions to get into the school.

Headteacher Caroline Hobbs said it was something which would be looked at. But the most likely use of auditioning, she said, was to select highly talented pupils from outside the school and college's normal catchment area.

She added she agreed with the La Guardia principle that excellence in the performing arts can spark success in academic subjects as well.

She said: "Mr Williams will make a presentation to the school's senior team and we will look to see whether any of the things they do could be relevant to us."

Mr Williams was shown around by Ed McCarthy, La Guardia's head of development.

Mr Williams said: "It would be interesting to look at running an audition block for entry to the school."

Published Thursday, May 22, 2003

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