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.

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.
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.

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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