Performances for Schools
Every autumn Glyndebourne enables thousands of young people to experience opera
Since 2006, Glyndebourne’s Performances for Schools have inspired and enriched the lives of over 30,000 students.
These performances are a unique experience – Glyndebourne’s world-famous auditorium filled with students from our local area experiencing all the emotion, spectacle and intensity of a Glyndebourne opera, full-length and fully staged.
As well as heavily subsidised tickets for all students, we offer the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to help towards the cost of booking transport for a trip to Glyndebourne.
Information about how to apply for a travel grant will be shared with schools who have been successful in the ticket ballot in early June.
Related links
October 2025
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dates: Wednesday 15 October 2025
Recommended age: Years 5 onwards (aged 9 and above)
Tickets: £8
Four young lovers, two magic spells, one wild night. A sprinkling of fairy dust disrupts the course of true love in this iconic production, in which Britten’s atmospheric music brings Shakespeare’s bewitching forest to life.
November 2025
The Railway Children
Dates: Monday 3 November, Tuesday 4 November & Thursday 6 November 2025
Recommended age: Years 5 onwards (aged 9 and above)
Tickets: £8
When their father disappears overnight, three siblings must make a new life – uncovering conspiracies, forging friendships and finding courage beside the railway tracks. Don’t miss this world premiere by Olivier Award-winning composer Mark-Anthony Turnage.
Ticket applications now open
Tickets will be assigned by ballot process and the application deadline is Monday 19 May. Priority will be given to state schools and from educational establishments based within 25 miles of Glyndebourne. Successful schools will be notified the week commencing 2 June.
Useful information
Glyndebourne is in the heart of the Sussex countryside, just 10 miles outside Brighton. There’s plenty of on-site parking for coaches, and 12 acres of gardens for pupils to enjoy.
As well as heavily subsidised tickets for all students, we offer the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to help towards the cost of booking transport for a trip to Glyndebourne.
We strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. At each performance, we take a relaxed approach to movement and noise coming from the students, where we encourage everyone to respond naturally. An alternative space adjacent to the auditorium is available, where students can view a live stream of the performance if they need to leave the main theatre for any reason. To find out more about this and for any further support or access requirements, please contact us at takepart@glyndebourne.com.
- Pupils will each receive a free programme with a synopsis, cast list and lots of useful information on what to watch out for.
- You will receive a signed poster for your classroom to remember the visit.
- Each of your pupils will be invited to provide feedback – we love to hear their thoughts.
Glyndebourne is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through opera. As a Trinity Champion Centre for 2024-25, we are delighted to offer funding for up to 400 pupils attending a Performance for Schools at Glyndebourne to complete an Arts Award Discover certificate alongside their visit.
Each student undertaking an Arts Award will have access to specially created worksheets and activities and our trained Arts Award advisors will work with them throughout. We understand that completing an Arts Award with a whole class may be unrealistic; we are happy to support as many pupils as are interested and there is no obligation for the whole class to complete and submit a portfolio. Find out more about Arts Award at Glyndebourne here.
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If you are not currently on our mailing list you can sign up to receive our brochures, updates and to hear about other opportunities for teachers and students.
Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Image credits: Main image – Sam Stephenson | A Midsummer Nights Dream Festival 2023 image – Tristram Kenton | The Railway Children image – Iuricazac/Adobe Stock; Bloom Image/Getty Images; Shutterstock; Tingting Ji/iStock; Image design Louise Richardson