Students at a Carlisle school have been taking to the stage to celebrate the end of their academic year.

School's out for summer at Austin Friars next week - while children in Dumfries and Galloway broke up on Thursday.

As an independent school - it is currently Carlisle's only one - Austin Friars can set its own term dates and will see term end next Thursday.

The annual arts showcase at the Etterby school saw the best of the hard work completed by 11 to 18-year-old senior students this academic year.

Taking advantage of the early evening summer sun, the event began with a concert in the yard from the school's swing band.

Inside both the art and the design and technology departments, pupils’ work, including pieces from GCSE and A-Level classes, were on display.

Visitors included parents, family and friends of current and prospective pupils of the independent school.

In the school chapel, short musical interludes ranged from solos from saxophonists and piano players to songs from the hit musical movie, ‘The Greatest Showman’.

In the drama studio, fourth form GCSE drama students performed their exam piece ‘The Agony of an Untold Story’ to a full audience.

Meanwhile pupils, aged 11 to 14, in the first, second and third forms of the school, went on to execute a double showing of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Canterville Ghost’.

Lower sixth form student and National Youth Theatre member, Katie McCall, made her directing debut with the piece, having worked with younger pupils on the play.

Anna Burns, admissions and marketing manager at Austin Friars, said of Tuesday's showcase: "It was lovely to have so many families, and prospective pupils and parents, join us on what was a particularly warm June evening.

"The annual arts evening affords us the opportunity to pause in what is a particularly busy term, and reflect upon the many achievements of our talented pupils – they undoubtedly deserve their occasion to shine."
Next week will be the turn of the school's younger pupils to shine.

Oliver!, Austin Friars' junior school musical, is taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6pm.

Tickets are on sale at the school's junior and senior school receptions.