Eastbourne College Shines at the Royal Festival Hall

Eastbourne College was honoured to be the only UK school invited to perform at the 2026 China–UK Youth Cultural & Arts Exchange, held at the Royal Festival Hall, London on Monday 2 February.

 

The event welcomed more than 2,000 audience members and featured Eastbourne College alongside seven leading schools from China, presenting an impressive mix of traditional dance, instrumental music and cultural performance on one of London’s most iconic stages.

Pupils from Eastbourne College presented a varied programme, with a refined sequence of choral and instrumental works and a lively set of musical numbers from Guys and Dolls, the sell-out College production from 2025.Director of Music Dan Jordan commented, 'Seeing our pupils step out onto that stage and perform with such poise was incredibly special. The atmosphere in the hall, the level of talent from our Chinese counterparts and the shared sense of celebration made it a night none of us will forget.'

Parents who attended were equally delighted. Lydia Jourdain added, 'It was wonderful to see Eastbourne College represented on a stage of that scale. It was a great evening and we were all enormously proud.'

Event organiser, Leon Zhang from RG Holidays Ltd, also praised the College’s involvement, saying, 'It was a pleasure to welcome Eastbourne College to this year’s Exchange. Their contribution brought real energy and artistry to the programme, and it was inspiring to see all the performers share the stage so confidently. The whole evening felt joyful, collaborative and full of promise.'


Beyond the performances, the Exchange gave pupils the opportunity to meet peers from China, learn more about their artistic traditions and enjoy a genuine cultural exchange.It was a wonderful way to connect through the universal language of performance.

Eastbourne College’s selection as the only UK representative highlights the School’s artistic ambition and the quality of its performing arts provision.

Music plays a big part in life at Eastbourne College. The School holds a rare Platinum Artsmark Award, reflecting the strength of its creative offering. Pupils have access to an impressive range of opportunities, from the College Choir and Jazz Band to Symphony Orchestra and the popular Singer Songwriter Club. All of this takes place in the Birley Centre, a purpose-built home for music with an auditorium, rehearsal rooms, recording studios and music technology suites.

February 2026