Meet Samson, a true success of BCS and one of the 2022-2023 Heads of School! Samson, a double scholar in Academic and Performing Arts, has just left the school. Find out about his highlights from BCS and his plans for the future in Performing Arts.

Q: How did you hear about BCS, and what made you want to join?

A: I went to St. Michael’s Primary in Bournemouth when my parents found BCS. I really liked it here as it is a mixed and small school. Back then I wasn’t able to be confident in who I am and I wasn’t prepared to go to an all-boys school so my parents thought that BCS will be the best place for me.

Q: What did you have to do to get awarded your double scholarship in Academic and Performing Arts?

A: For the Academic Scholarship I had to do the entrance exam, and for the Performing Arts Scholarship I was interviewed by the Performing Arts teachers, plus put on an individual performance and a workshop performance with the other students applying.

Q: When did your passion for Performing Arts begin?

A: My passion for performing arts started from a very young age, I was 5 years old when I started gymnastics. I moved to Bournemouth and started dance, since my first class I have loved it. I train in ballet, tap and modern, I love to move and express myself and dance is the best way to do that for me. It’s what I love to do when I am most happy.

Q: What is your plan when you leave BCS?

A: When I leave BCS I am going to Birds College to do a full-time three year course. I will be taking a number of different singing lessons and learning different styles of dance. I am so excited as there I will be able to do dance full time.!

Q: How did you feel when you got accepted into Bird College?

A: I got an offer on the day! In the moment it was of course quite emotional because I felt that all my hard work had paid off. However I was still in an interview, so I composed myself and finished answering their questions. It was very exciting,

Q: What was the application process like?

A: The application started with UCAS because it is a degree course like any other Uni, then from that I had to do an audition. It was basically a long dance class, a dance solo, a monologue and a musical theatre song. It was quite a long day, I was there for probably six hours, all performing.

Q: What are you going to miss the most about BCS?

A: I am going to miss the community and how you are cared for here! The lessons have a much more individual and personal style.  

Q: Which teacher do you have the best relationship with?

A: When I am really tired, I like Mr Lloyd, Head of Music as he caters his lessons to how we are /feeling and doesn’t push us when we are not in the mood. When I am a jolly mood probably Miss Coy or Mrs Lawton- Reid, the Performing Arts teachers.

Q: What has been your highlight at BCS?

A: Working hard through COVID and the lockdown has had to be a highlight for me. Everyone had the same experience; it was hard with online work, there was not much motivation, but I pushed through and got seven 9s and two 8s in my GCSEs showing that my hard work paid off. I am now predicted two A*’s and one Distinction* at A-Level, which I am very proud of.

Q: What are the biggest benefits to coming to BCS?

A: I love the small classes as you do have 1:1 teaching, allowing to develop in areas you are not confident in. In the past there hasn’t been lesson plans in one of my and each person was focused on individually.

Q: How did you find the transition through the BCS Senior School?

A: Sixth Form was a big change, but I didn’t feel it as much as I thought I would as it was a slow shift at the beginning of year 12. There was also a shift between Years 10 and 11 where teachers started to be more like ‘this is your grade, and your work now’. It was less learning for fun but that this is our future which made a change in my mentality towards my work.

Q: How has your experience been as one of the Heads of School?

A: I wanted my legacy to be shifting the perspective of other students, so I wanted to do a presentation about the ‘Power of your Words’, encouraging students to be themselves and embrace their own personalities. We have also done other school events such as a movie night for Year 7 and 8s and Valentine’s Day roses to bring some more joy to their school day.

Q: What are three words you would use to describe BCS?

A: Accepting, positive, and welcoming

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

A: My dream is to be successful and how I define a success by being employed. In the dance industry you don’t know when your next job is going to be.

Q: What is your ultimate goal?

A: My goal is to always be performing whether in the west end, on cruise ships or in the English national ballet.