THEATRE ARTS SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 10 TO 16 YEARS
Accredited by The Independent Schools Joint Council

Having been a by-word in theatre training for generations, Italia Conti is the preferred choice for most parents seeking a broad based, sound and effective academic and theatre arts education for their child. The Theatre Arts School excels in its provision in three essential areas for a young person; education, training and personal development.

EDUCATION
Whilst most young people choose to join The Theatre Arts School because they wish to start training for a lifelong career in 'show business', Academy staff are conscious of the need to ensure that all Theatre Arts School graduates have the widest possible range of choice available to them at sixteen. Pupils study a range of 'normal' academic subjects – English, Mathematics, Science, Spanish, History and Art to Key Stage 3 and add GCSEs in Drama and Dance during Years 10 and 11. The GCSE pass rate is excellent with the Academy topping the local borough in the annual DFES league table of results. Whilst the majority of our pupils opt to go on to further study with the Academy, those who choose to pursue a different course find their entry facilitated by their Italia Conti experience.

TRAINING
Today's Italia Conti pupils will be the leaders of the entertainment industry of tomorrow. As such they must acquire the highest standard of skill in the exposition of their art and also an intuitive understanding of the basic concept of entertainment. Our pupils are 'thinking performers' whose careers can be expected to break new ground in an industry which is continually changing and forever seeking new media outlets. Pupils gain a firm grasp of traditional skills in ballet, tap, modern and jazz dance, musical theatre, acting and singing in an environment where their colleagues exude talent and imaginative creativity. With teachers whose training, experience and understanding of the needs of the industry are second to none, this is a recipe for outstanding success.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
A career in the entertainment industry is not so much a job as a way of life which demands very special qualities in those who join it. A career where one will work with relatively small groups of people very intensively for periods which may range from a few hours for some commercial work to a couple of years for West End shows and television series requires social skills of the highest order. To be able to cope with success and rejection with equal clarity is a very special life skill – best learned when young and in the company of others for whom the experience is 'normal'. Self belief and confidence with an accurate appreciation of one's strengths and weaknesses is an essential quality best developed by the regular setting and achievement of achievable goals by pupils.

Representation by the Italia Conti Agency allows pupils the chance to gain real professional experience in a huge range of productions from film to the West End. A number of pupils have left the Academy with their first career steps firmly established.

The Theatre Arts School has high expectations of its pupils and in return our most successful pupils set themselves even higher standards. Our pupils try hard, are creative, talented and do achieve in an environment where they are supported, get real enjoyment and satisfaction from their classes and have lots of fun. Pupils have strong relationships with their peers and professional, warm and supportive relationships with their teachers. Success requires huge reserves of personal courage and pupils are encouraged to improve their own standards rather than compete with each other – we are a small school preparing for a huge industry - the competition is with those outside. Italia Conti pupils learn from each other, enjoy each other's company and laugh a lot! The Theatre Arts School is a great place to learn, to train and to grow up!!

COURSE CONTENT MAY INCLUDE
Academic Studies: Art, English, French, GCSE dance, GCSE drama, history, information technology, mathematics, personal & social education, religious education, science.

Vocational Subjects: Acting & voice related skills (including LAMDA), classical ballet, modern dance, musical theatre & production, jazz, singing, tap.

Pupils who achieve the necessary skill levels are encouraged to take external examinations in theatre disciplines with recognised outside boards.
"Pupils attitude to work and study are excellent.

The pupils demonstrate outstanding well developed spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness. Successful teaching and excellent relationships between staff and pupils promote the school aims and enhance pupils progress and self confidence.

Dynamic teaching promotes intellectual, physical and creative effort and encourages hard work. Preparation for a career in the theatre is outstanding."
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - 28-31.01.08