Drama Excellence Programme

The Drama Excellence Programme is designed for pupils who show strong potential as performers and a passion for developing their skills on stage.

Initially launching for pupils entering Year 7 in September 2027, the programme will offer places to a small cohort of approximately 8 to 10 pupils in each year group. This ensures a highly personalised experience with tailored support and opportunities for growth. The programme sits alongside the wider co-curricular drama provision at LEH.

The programme is designed to creative confidence. Pupils will be encouraged to explore a range of performance styles, develop their voice and physical presence, and build the resilience and independence required for high-level performance.

Through expert teaching and carefully curated opportunities, pupils will gain a deeper understanding of drama as both an art form and a discipline.

Who should apply

We are looking for pupils who demonstrate clear potential in performance, alongside enthusiasm, commitment and a willingness to develop their skills. Previous experience in drama is welcomed but not essential; what matters most is a strong interest in performing and the capacity to grow.

Child in a fluffy gray wolf costume on a stage, arms extended mid-dance.

What the programme offers

Pupils selected for the Drama Excellence Programme will benefit from a range of opportunities designed to support their development as confident, skilled performers:

Individual Trinity Speech and Drama lessons, Communication Skills or Acting for Screen.
Tickets to school productions, enabling pupils to engage with and learn from live performance.
A bespoke annual workshop led by industry professionals including British Youth Musical Theatre.
Additional informal performance opportunities beyond the main school productions.
Professional development talks to provide insight into pathways in drama and the performing arts.
Regular updates to parents on involvement with the Programme.

Why choose the Drama Excellence Programme at LEH

Drama at LEH extends well beyond the classroom. We host regular workshops with leading theatre companies such as Splendid and Paper Birds. Along with a lunchtime Drama club we run initiatives such as Monologue Mondays, a chance for budding actors to perform solo pieces, The Company, a joint Upper School Drama Society with Hampton School; a hotly-contested House Film Festival and our Our Theatre in Education tour which is designed to educate and inspire primary school audiences by using drama to explore key topics, as well as to bring stories from history and literature to life.

All of this takes place in and around our purpose-built 240-seat theatre, part of a vibrant Arts Centre that includes a rehearsal suite, 240-seat theatre, green room, seminar room, and the Music and Art departments – a true hub for creativity and performance.

Extra-curricular Drama

Drama plays a vital role in the life of the school, offering students opportunities to explore creativity, build confidence, and collaborate with others. Across all year groups, a rich programme of extra-curricular productions allows students to develop their performance skills both on and off the stage. From the imaginative energy of middle school productions to the more ambitious senior performances, each project fosters teamwork, discipline, and a love of storytelling. Highlights include the Middle School Musical, the student-led Write the Girl production, our Theatre in Education tour, and the senior school musical in collaboration with Hampton. Together, these experiences create a vibrant and inclusive drama community where every student can shine. During your time at LEH you could be involved in:

The Middle School Production, past productions include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Shrek.
Write the Girl Productions
Theatre in Education Tours
Theatre Workshops with external playwrights
Camden Fringe Production
Senior School Musical Joint with Hampton School, past productions have included, Les Miserables and 42nd Street

How and when to apply

If you wish to apply for a place on the Drama Excellence Programme as part of the 11+ application, you should indicate this in the relevant section of the application form. In the Autumn Term we will ask you to complete an application form which will include a recorded short monologue performance. Applications can be submitted from early September.

In November, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an audition in January, with final decisions communicated alongside school place offers.

LEH Drama Excellence Programme - Your Questions Answered

What is the LEH Drama Excellence Programme?

The Drama Excellence Programme is a specialist programme for pupils who demonstrate strong potential in performance and a genuine enthusiasm for drama and theatre-making. Designed for pupils entering Year 7, the programme offers tailored opportunities to help pupils develop as confident, skilled and thoughtful performers alongside LEH’s wider co-curricular drama provision.

Who can apply for the programme?

The programme is open to all pupils applying to join Year 7 at LEH.

We welcome applications from pupils with a passion for performance, creativity and a willingness to develop their skills.

Does my child need previous drama experience?

No. Previous experience in drama is welcomed but is not essential.

We are primarily looking for pupils who demonstrate potential, enthusiasm, commitment and a readiness to learn and grow as performers.

How many pupils will be selected each year?

The programme is intentionally small, with approximately 8 –10 pupils selected per year group. This allows for a highly personalised experience with tailored support and opportunities.

What does the selection process involve?

Students will need to apply through the website and send an initial self-tape of a short monologue piece of their choice. The students will then be shortlisted and invited to a workshop audition at LEH.

What opportunities will pupils receive through the programme?

Pupils on the Drama Excellence Programme will benefit from a range of specialist opportunities, including:

Individual Trinity Speech and Drama lessons, Communication Skills or Acting for Screen.

Free tickets to school productions.

Bespoke annual workshops with industry professionals, including working with the British Youth Musical Theatre (BYMT), playwright workshops, Write the Girl workshops and much more.

Additional informal performance opportunities.

Professional development talks and insight into careers and pathways in the performing arts from industry professionals.
Access to our extensive and engaged Alumnae community talks for mentoring.

Regular updates to parents on pupils’ involvement in the programme.

Is the programme only for pupils who want to become professional actors?

No. While the programme offers high-level performance training for those who are passionate about acting, it is equally valuable for pupils who simply enjoy drama and want to develop confidence, communication skills, creativity and resilience. Through rehearsal, collaboration and performance, pupils learn to think critically, solve problems, adapt to new challenges and work effectively as part of a team. They also strengthen skills in public speaking, leadership, empathy and self-expression. These qualities support success across the curriculum and are highly valued in higher education and a wide range of future careers.

Will pupils still take part in the wider drama opportunities at LEH?

Yes. The Drama Excellence Programme sits alongside LEH’s extensive co-curricular drama provision.

Pupils will continue to have access to the many performance and enrichment opportunities available at the school, including productions, workshops, drama clubs and external performance opportunities.

What makes drama at LEH distinctive?

Drama at LEH extends far beyond the classroom. Pupils benefit from regular workshops with leading theatre companies, informal and formal performance opportunities, and access to outstanding facilities within the Arts Centre.

Initiatives include:

Monologue Mondays

The Company (the joint Upper School Drama Society with Hampton School)

The House Film Festival

Theatre in Education tours

Lunchtime Drama Club

Afterschool Drama Production Club

Year 7 and 8 Dance Club

All activities take place within a vibrant creative environment centred around the school’s purpose-built 240-seat theatre and rehearsal spaces.

Will there be additional costs associated with the programme?

No.

How will parents be kept informed of their daughter’s progress on the programme?

Parents will receive regular updates on their child’s involvement, engagement and progress within the programme. Communication will highlight pupils’ development in both performance and the wider skills fostered through drama, such as confidence, collaboration and communication. Parents will also have opportunities to discuss their child’s progress with programme staff, helping to ensure a strong partnership between home and school in supporting each pupil’s growth.

Can pupils leave the programme if their interests change?

Yes. We understand that pupils’ interests and commitments may evolve over time. The school will work closely with pupils and families to ensure the programme remains a positive and rewarding experience.

How can I find out more?

Further information about the Drama Excellence Programme and the admissions process will be available through our Admissions Team.

Drama is exciting and varied. Girls listed the seemingly endless productions and performances that they had enjoyed (as participants and spectators)…One pupil told us, ‘Taking part was the highlight of my school life.’

The Good School Guide

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