At Ardingly there are so many opportunities for students to get involved in Drama.
As well as acting and performing on stage, the Drama department also encourages students to develop all the other skills needed for a successful theatrical production including lighting, stage management, set design, make up, costume design, marketing and front-of-house.
- Drama is taught on the curriculum to all students from Years 7 to 9 and is then a popular option for GCSE, A Level and IB
- More than 100 students take part in LAMDA lessons and examinations
- There are six different Drama clubs and activities available each week as part of our Enrichment Programme
- Students perform in three major Senior School productions each year
"Pupils develop confidence in their speaking and listening skills through drama lessons where they enjoy working together to rehearse for performances. Teachers give careful and advice and support”.
“A very large proportion of pupils... participate in drama productions.”
Opportunities to Perform
Every year there are three major productions in the Senior School; for Lower School (Years 7 and 8), for Middle School (Years 9 and 10) and Sixth Form, spanning multiple genres. We often run alternate casts for an individual year group, so as many students as possible get the opportunity to perform in each major production.
Recent major Senior School productions include:
Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang!, Tartuffe, Dracula, 9 to 5, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, Animal Farm, Matilda, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pride and Prejudice, The Addams Family, The Wipers Times, and The Uninvited Guests.
House Drama is also a popular event in the Ardingly calendar, where Sixth Form students lead, direct and produce each House’s production. This event involves students in various roles, both on and off stage, fostering a sense of responsibility, creativity and camaraderie across year groups in the Houses.
Drama Enrichment
Our wide range of enrichment activities in Drama aim to deepen students’ passion for theatre through workshops with industry professionals, masterclasses and frequent educational trips. We are fortunate to be in a location easily accessible to central London and so are regularly able to take students to see the best West End productions.
Lamda Lessons
We offer LAMDA lessons for those interested in developing their acting, public speaking and verbal communication skills. More than 100 students take LAMDA lessons and examinations.
Academic Drama
Drama is a popular option at GCSE, A Level and IB, with students regularly achieving the highest grades. Recent Old Ardinians have continued on to the best Drama Schools and achieved professional success on the stage and in film.
Scholarships
Ardingly offers Drama Scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry points.
Drama at Ardingly
