Here, we spotlight seven schools where drama takes a starring role.
Sylvia Young Theatre School, London
No list of drama schools would be complete without Sylvia Young. This legendary institution has nurtured countless stage and screen stars, offering pupils an intensive programme of acting, singing and dance alongside a rigorous academic curriculum. Students between the ages of ten and sixteen study all the traditional subjects three days a week, while Thursdays and Fridays are given over entirely to the performing arts, thus injecting extra va-va-voom into the term ‘fri-yay’. For the dedicated performer, it really is the epitome of training ground meets classroom, and its starry list of alumni speaks for itself, from Billie Piper, Ashley Walters and Dua Lipa to Amy Winehouse to Keeley Hawes. (Just a quick browse of its Instagram attests to their many dizzying achievements.) Discover more.
The BRIT School, Croydon
Unique in being state-funded yet run with the focus of an independent specialist, The BRIT School has earned international recognition for producing some of the UK’s brightest stars. Pupils can choose pathways in theatre, dance, music and more, with the added benefit of studying GCSEs or A-levels in a creative environment that pulses with energy. Alumni include Adele, Tom Holland and Rizzle Kicks. Discover more.
Bedales, Hampshire
Known for its progressive ethos and creative spirit, Bedales offers a nurturing environment where drama flourishes. Its Olivier Theatre is a constant hub of activity, hosting everything from Shakespeare to devised pieces, while its drama and dance studios are perennially buzzing with ideas and talent. The school’s emphasis on individuality makes it an especially fertile ground for budding performers to find their voice – and train with RADA and LAMDA to boot as they do so. As for its stellar past pupils – Daniel Day Lewis, Johnny Flynn and Lily Allen, anyone? Discover more.
ArtsEd, London
With a reputation that precedes it, ArtsEd is a specialist school and thus the performing arts are woven into every day. Catering for pupils from eleven years old, right through to higher education, drama and musical theatre pupils enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, a faculty of industry professionals and a track record of graduates heading straight into the West End. It’s a serious contender for those set on careers in the spotlight. Leo Woodall, Omari Douglas and Lashana Lynch all cut their teeth here – and just look at them now. Discover more.
Hurtwood House, Surrey
This sixth-form college has made a name for itself thanks to its dazzling productions, which are ambitious in scale and professional in polish. Pupils can take A-levels in drama and theatre studies while simultaneously being immersed in a vibrant performing arts scene. For those who know by sixteen that their future lies on stage or screen, Hurtwood provides the perfect launch pad. Discover more.
St Edmund’s, Canterbury
While St Edmund’s offers a traditional independent education, its drama department is its jewel in the crown. With its own purpose-built theatre and a packed programme of productions, pupils have ample opportunity to tread the boards. It’s a school that proves you don’t have to sacrifice academic breadth for theatrical depth. Discover more.
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, Hertfordshire
Specialist, selective and highly respected, Tring Park is a powerhouse of vocational training. Pupils spend as much time in rehearsal rooms as in the classrooms, with timetables carefully balanced to ensure both worlds thrive. Alumni frequently go on to star in theatre, television and film, among them Lily James, Thandiwe Newton, and Jessica Brown Findlay, each of them testament to the school’s professional rigour. Discover more.
