A week in the life of Glenthorne high school, Sutton, Surrey As we go to press, a group of sixth-formers from this comprehensive will be returning from a half-term art study trip to Florence. Twenty-one of them, led by head of art Susan Clay, will have spent five nights visiting the city’s churches, museums and galleries. It is the third time the school has taken students there; other destinations have included Paris, Amsterdam and Venice. The 1,000-pupil school prides itself on its achievements in the arts and sports. Next month it will be contributing to Sutton council’s art exhibition at the civic centre and the school hall will host the annual display of dance, gymnastics and creative tumbling. The senior school has just finished a three-night sell-out production of Oh! What a Lovely War in the town theatre; before Chistmas the juniors put on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the school. Pupils regularly go on to study art, music and drama at university and specialist colleges. The girls’ football team plays in the Surrey league and there is a Year 7 and 8 rugby team. The school also has hockey and gymnastics teams.

Snaps by Susan Clay

Scrum down: the Year 8 rugby team lines up.

Yes, boys do sew: Ben Richardson shows how.

Dramatic touch: A-level art student Sally Bolton works on the set of the school play.

Give it some stick: a Year 9 drumming workshop with visiting tutor Sam Alexander.

Take one egg: Year 9 food technology.

On board: Kerry-Ann Buckhurst in a technology lesson with Manny Osei.

Spanish tragedy: A-level drama students work on a production of Lorca’s Blood Wedding.