What better way to inspire our BTEC Performing Arts students than to bring into school a West-End star to work with them? So that’s exactly what the Drama Department at Ashfield did this week, enter Rob Houchen stage left. Having been in numerous professional performances, including Les Miserables, he used his extensive experience and industry knowledge to coach our students with their audition pieces. He gave them useful advice, worked practically with them on solo performances, answered all their questions and even performed with them in a large group number. The students can now honestly claim that they have shared a stage with a professional West-End performer who left them with invaluable advice and tips should they aspire to follow in his footsteps!

As always, the BTEC students represented both the department and the school brilliantly, with Rob commenting:  “It really does mean a lot to see such talent and passion for the craft in your students, it gives me hope for all the future performers coming into the industry. They were such lovely people and I had a great time working with them!”