Droylsden Academy – Fame: The Musical

Droylsden Academy Delivers a Standout Production of Fame: The Musical.

Droylsden Academy has received exceptional praise following its vibrant and ambitious staging of Fame: The Musical, with a published review describing the production as “what every piece of musical theatre should be.”

Performed by a cast of 65 students aged 11 to 16, the show demonstrated remarkable professionalism, emotional maturity and creative energy. Despite the challenges of portraying intersecting storylines and complex character arcs, students delivered performances that far exceeded expectations.

A Cast That Shone Individually and as an Ensemble

The scale of the cast contributed to a powerful ensemble performance, described as a “formidable team” whose passion and excitement were evident throughout. The reviewer praised the group’s ability to convey the intensity and dynamism required of such an iconic musical.

Exceptional Leadership and Dedication Behind the Scenes

The review also highlighted the outstanding leadership of Miss Burgess, recognising her commitment, energy and passion for providing young people with a high-quality theatre experience. Her work in offering students a platform to shine was described as truly wonderful.

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Mossley Hollins High School – Matilda.

A Joyous and Uplifting Production Showcasing 90 Talented Students

Alongside Droylsden Academy’s success, Mossley Hollins High School delivered its own outstanding achievement with a spectacular production of Matilda, featuring an impressive 90 students from across the school.

The scale, ambition and energy of the production were matched by the cast’s enthusiasm and commitment, resulting in a performance that was both heartwarming and technically accomplished. Students brought the beloved story to life with confidence, humour and creativity—capturing the spirit of Roald Dahl’s classic with flair and personality.

Leadership that Inspired Excellence

The production was expertly led by Ms Ryan and her team, whose vision, dedication and meticulous preparation ensured every student had the opportunity to shine. Their work in enabling such a large and diverse cast to excel on stage is a testament to their passion for the arts and their unwavering commitment to enriching students’ cultural and creative experiences.

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A Proud Moment for the Trust

Together, these two remarkable productions reflect the very best of arts education across our Trust: confidence, collaboration, creativity and opportunity. Both schools embraced demanding musicals and delivered performances that left lasting impressions on audiences and the wider community.

We are incredibly proud of all students, staff and creative teams whose dedication, talent and hard work made these productions so memorable.

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Read the full review of Droylsden Academy’s Fame: The Musical here.

Tame River Educational Trust is delighted to share that Droylsden Academy has received national recognition from the Secretary of State for Education for its exceptional outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in the 2024/25 academic year.

In a letter addressed to Headteacher, Ed Mayell, the Secretary of State praised the Academy’s “excellent outcomes” and confirmed that the school’s performance places it “among the very best nationally.” This is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the relentless ambition, commitment, and hard work shown by students and staff.

The letter highlights that the Academy’s success reflects “the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils… It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together.”

A Trust That Champions Excellence for All

This national recognition not only celebrates the achievements of Droylsden Academy but also reinforces the Trust’s mission: to ensure that every child—regardless of background—has access to the highest-quality education and the best opportunities to succeed.

The Secretary of State commended the Academy for demonstrating “what is possible” and encouraged the school to continue sharing its expertise, best practice, and system leadership with others across the sector. As part of this, the Academy has been invited to:

• Contribute actively to regional RISE (Regional Improvements for Standards and Excellence) networks;
• Partner with nearby schools and Trusts;
• Support regional professional communities;
• Continue championing disadvantaged students as a priority.

This recognition further strengthens the Trust’s position as a leader in practice, collaboration, and strategic influence.

A Proud Moment for Our Community

We are immensely proud of our staff, students, and families. This recognition celebrates a culture built on high expectations, purposeful effort, and a shared belief that every child can achieve extraordinary things.

Tame River Educational Trust would like to thank all colleagues at Droylsden Academy for their tireless commitment and professionalism—and to congratulate every student whose hard work has contributed to this outstanding success.

Together, we remain ambitious for all our pupils across the Trust. We look forward to continuing our work to raise standards, remove barriers, and ensure that every young person thrives.

Droylsden Academy was proud to host the TRET Maths battle, which featured students from across the trust, representing Hyde High School, Mossley Hollins, and Droylsden Academy.

It was lovely to see all the students so engaged and getting excited about Maths. It was was very close but congratualtions to Mossley Hollins who won by one point with Droylsden Academy in second place.

Congratulations to our Cohort 1 on the successful completion of the inaugural Highly Effective Teacher Programme.

The award ceremony which took place at the end of the year long programme was a fitting end to a challenging programme, pride in the achievement of this cohort is shining through in the photographs.

Thank you to all the facilitators, coaches and participants who give up so much of their time to make the programme the success it has proven to be.    

Good luck to our Cohort 2 who have just embarked on this year’s programme.