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 part of your visit, we offer curriculum-based resources which are accessible and easy to follow. The performances can help schools to achieve the National Plan for Music Education by offering pupils the opportunity to enjoy live performance at least once per year, and our digital resources are designed to support schools by offering activities which can be built into teachers timetables and lesson plans.
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 Friday 23 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.
We want to support local schools to enable children to experience the benefits of live theatre and to meet the National Plan for Music and contribute towards the Theatre for Every Child campaign.
Photos by Sam Stephenson
In 2024, Glyndebourne welcomed 1,900 students from over 60 local state schools to our Performance for Schools.
‘ I would love to go back and see more of these operas’ – Student audience member 2024
‘Funny, interesting and a magical experience!’ – Student audience members 2024
‘This was one of the best performances I have seen this year’ – Student audience member 2024
‘Sharing many students’ first experience of world class opera was special’ – Teacher audience member 2024
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, signed poster and lots of useful information on what to watch out for.
- 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 2025-26, we are delighted to offer funding for up to 750 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.
Join the mailing list
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