Qualifications and 11+ drama scholarships

[Zodlebud]

My DD has worked as an actress professionally in TV and film (with credits to back it up), almost got a couple of West End roles with email proof of this and has won a nationwide performing arts competition.

She doesn’t, however, have any LAMDA exam qualifications or equivalent. Her CV is exceptionally strong for someone her age and we think she would do well at an assessment day based on the requirements listed (group exercises, improv, monologues, genuine interest in the arts).

However, one of the schools we are applying to - not first choice - has listed expected levels of qualification in drama exams as one of their assessment criteria.

Does my daughter stand a chance? I would hope her experience and talent would be the deciding factors as opposed to a piece of paper, but it’s explicitly written in the scholarship information.

Any experiences of past success would be greatly appreciated!!!

Yes, you shouid be OK.

It depends on the school at the end of the day, but no you do not always need specific qualifications if your CV is strong in other ways.

So you need a good covering letter and a strong CV (which it sounds as if you have). Then she will,stand or fall based on the actual auditions/assessments. I would also recommend talking to the head of drama during an open day and ask not 'if' but 'how' that assess someone with extensive experience but no LAMDA.

(I know a pupil who has never sat a music exam, but plays avidly including in a serious youth orchestra. Despite lack of (allegedly required) grades, she won a valuable music scholarship, on orchestral experience, references and audition)

Thank you - this is what I hoped as it made sense to me but the school in question is quite traditional and at times a bit “box ticking”. It’s our third choice school so scholarship or not it’s unlikely she will be attending, but she would like a bash at it and her current prep is very encouraging.

I’m sure you know that one school you do like (we have chatted about it) offers drama scholarships from 14 plus. They have definitely had girls with work experience and of course get the chance to assess them in school productions and LAMDA performance because they don’t asses at 11. The scholarships are not worth any fee reduction but drama is taken seriously so it’s a great chance to shine!

@BubblesBuddy — If a scholarship does not reduce your fees what makes it a scholarship? Is that not just an offer of admission?

If you look at scholarships at Q, they are honorary and have been for years. Even academic ones and DD1 had one! What they do is give you extra opportunities such as music scholars performance and drama scholars performance etc. There is a Principals Award that can be given towards LAMDA fees etc. They have bursaries for those on lower incomes. So it’s a mixture. The scholarships are valued for the prestige. Quite a few schools ask well off parents to forego fee reduction so they can enhance bursaries. I know Rugby does this.

The drama scholarships are competitive by the way. It’s a school known for its drama and many girls love drama there. They are hugely encouraging though and the opportunities are first class. The Good Schools guide has this as a great strength of the school and the staff are very clued up in the Drama dept. One girl worked on East Enders for example.

Thanks Bubbles. We were actually at Q a couple of weeks ago watching the lower school play and it was fabulous - not just the performance but the opportunity to get involved in the tech side and behind the scenes too. Definitely the number one choice!!!

I agree that whilst any fee remission associated with a scholarship is wonderful, it is about the extra opportunities and support / training you receive which nurtures your abilities outside the classroom. I have no doubt she will be applying for the 14+ scholarship.

The scholarship offered by the backup choice school does have a small fee remission but nothing that makes a huge difference. I think it’s more DD would like to see her name on the scholarship leavers board at her current school!!! Plus the school then gets to shout about it (and they are actively encouraging it.)

Ah!! I see. My girls have names up at Q! In the music dept!

Not as scholars though! Something else.

I shall have a nose next time we are there and try and work out who they are (and then PM you!!!)

Ha!!! One appears twice and the other one once.

If she enjoys performing why not have a look at the Acting syllabus or Verse and Prose LAMDA syllabus and apply to do the exam at a private centre over the summer?
The Year 6 drama scholars I’ve put through are on Grade 3 or 4 LAMDA & whilst not essential it has helped. I don’t think the shortlisted emails would be of interest.

Nodressrehearsal - why do you think it has helped? The reason she hasn’t done LAMDA is that it feels rather unnatural and formal. It is very precise and scripted (excuse the pun) and is expected to be done a certain way. Is it proof that they can adapt to different method schools?

I also looked at the Trinity exams which look more open to interpretation. I believe these are given the same importance as LAMDA?

I guess so few children have a lot of professional work under their belt by this age that the exams give some kind of support to their talent in the absence of a CV.

I have spoken with the school and they said they will exempt her from the requirement due to her experience but that she would be required to take LAMDA exams at school if she is successful. Fair enough.

I just find it a little odd that sports and art scholarships are granted on the basis of talent and achievement, yet drama seems to need a piece of paper.

DS2 has a drama scholarship to the senior department of his school. He doesn't have any LAMDA grades or any professional experience but does have a strong CV of amateur experiences. This was enough for his (very good and very well known in our area) school and drama department to award him a scholarship. Good luck to your DD - she sounds extremely talented! x

I personally think LAMDA is an utter waste of time.

Trinity performing arts or singing is better, but I still wouldn't put my youngest through it if she wasn't doing grade 4 as a "whole class" thing linked to their end of year production.

ABRSM singing, RAD ballet exams and ISTD tap and modern are the only exams worth working towards imo, and even with those, my children skipped many many grades. One did just grade one and then years later, grade 8 for example.

LAMDA is IMO just a prescribed money making exercise for the teachers who offer it.

If your child enjoys reading plays, learning monologues and the usual rehearsal process why shouldn’t she be credited for it from an accredited awards body. Love them or hate them they motivate children to engage with literature. The higher LAMDA grades offer UCAS points & as assessing the Arts is so subjective schools offering scholarships are keen on them because it shows motivation esp where professional experiences in more rural areas isn’t going to be possible.