Bretton Hall's Legacies: Conversations on an Ethos of Learning & Teaching

In June 2025 the School of Performance and Cultural Industries gathered together a crew of former staff, students and supporters to explore the legacies of Bretton Hall. We learned of some of the fascinating history, practice and pedagogy of the College. We debated how some of these legacies remain in curricula, while other aspects are lost to the site, the freer programme structure and the practices of devised and experimental approaches to performance.  

We remembered the rigour and vigour of teaching and of student experimentation and explored the potential for retaining the sense of community and creative expression within current arts education.  

Former staff, students and supporters gather to celebrate the legacies of Bretton Hall. Photo credit: Annabel Cohen