Work In Schools - Centrestage School of Speech and Drama

our work in other schools

Click on each school logo below to find out what services we provide in each school.

If you’re a teacher and you’re interested in offering speech, drama, acting, specialist workshops or enrichment sessions to the students at your school please feel free to contact us.

Centrestage were first invited into Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School to provide Drama lessons.

In 2015, Centrestage mounted our very first production at BVGS, Jim Cartwright’s Two, with a group of 20 Sixth Form students. Since then, we are pleased to say that Centrestage has been providing Drama lessons at BVGS to all year groups. We are incredibly proud of the students who have been involved and the productions we have created.

For two of our Sixth Form productions, Centrestage has received the prestigious ‘The Knights of St Columba’ award, an award which recognises the best school plays in and around Birmingham.

In July 2016, Centrestage mounted their first Junior production. The group performed two plays in two groups; Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations by Alan Ayckbourn and a devised drama based on WW1 titled The Game. The latter group were also given the exciting opportunity to perform a section of their devised play at the Lichfield Festival 2016 ‘Poppies’ concert in Lichfield Cathedral.

More recently, in 2019, we performed a hilarious production of Chris Owen’s Jabberwocky, based on Lewis Carroll’s famous poem. We performed on two nights with a cast of over 40 Year 7 – 9 students. It was a roaring success.

Last summer, in our first productions back since COVID, our brilliant Yr 7 – 11 students took part in an exciting showcase which presented a variety of performances, including Erine’s Incredible Illucinations, by Alan Ayckbourn, Bull by Mike Bartlett, and DNA by Dennis Kelly.

Centrestage prides itself on the ability to encourage our pupils to develop their confidence and creativity. Along the way we have had an enormous amount of fun.

In 2016 we began to provide Speech lessons for pupils. All our Speech pupils are offered the opportunity to take LAMDA exams, either in Speaking Verse and Prose or in Speaking in Public. The results have been incredible: 100% pass with Merit or Distinction since 2016. In 2021, 4 of our students got 100% in their exam.

Mr D. Robson - Headteacher

I am delighted to endorse Centrestage School of Speech and Drama. Their provision is of an excellent standard.

Centrestage have worked closely with us here at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School over the last 7 years, providing LAMDA lessons, drama clubs and delivering many very successful school productions from ‘Living with Lady Macbeth’ to ‘Find Me’ to this year’s ‘Animal Farm.’ The outcomes attained by students in LAMDA exams is consistently outstanding.

Beth, Ella and their team are very professional, hard-working and caring. They have developed the confidence of hundreds of Vesey pupils and importantly helped them use their voice. I am proud to have Centrestage as a trusted member of the Vesey team.

Centrestage was invited to deliver Drama lessons to all of Year 7 students, during their Enrichment periods, at University of Birmingham School in 2022. We are delighted to create contact with our first school outside of Sutton Coldfield, and look forward to growing our relationship with the school.

C. Siggers - Enrichment, Events and Partnerships Officer

"Centrestage have been providing enrichment lessons for our Year 7 children at University of Birmingham School. We have been so impressed with Ella and Hannah. They have a really positive attitude each week they visit us and a relentless energy in the classroom. It is a pleasure to visit the school hall when they are here and see 25 smiling children. They ensure that every child can participate no matter what their abilities are. We asked Ella and the team to focus on the themes of environment and conservation; they have designed lessons which are engaging and relevant to what is going on in the world at the moment. Thank you so much!"

In January 2012, Centrestage School of Speech and Drama were invited, by the headmistress, to offer Speech and Drama lessons at New Oscott Primary School.

We hold classes at New Oscott on Wednesdays, during school hours, and we have been delighted with the enthusiasm from pupils, staff and parents. Currently, over 40 pupils from Year 2 to Year 6 take lessons. All Speech students at New Oscott are offered LAMDA exams.

We consistently achieve fantastic results. In 2021, 100% of pupils at New Oscott Primary School passed with Distinction.

Mrs A. Walklett - Head Teacher

We are very proud to have worked with Centrestage at New Oscott Primary School for over 12 years.

At New Oscott, our ethos is very much about giving our pupils opportunities and encouraging them to challenge themselves to try new experiences and develop new skills. Centrestage speech and drama fits in with our values beautifully.

The speech lessons give our pupils opportunities to develop their confidence when speaking and performing to an audience, to speak clearly, and develop other key skills and qualities such as teamwork, resilience and commitment.

Additionally, the lessons support our school curriculum focus on fostering a love of literature and developing children's vocabulary. The speech classes are always popular, and the majority of our pupils choose to progress through the LAMDA speech examinations - another valuable opportunity Centrestage provides.

In September 2013, Centrestage School of Speech and Drama were invited, by the Headmaster, to offer Speech and Drama lessons at St Nicholas Primary School, and lessons have been running very successfully ever since.

St Nicholas Speech lessons currently take place on Thursdays, during school hours, and we have been delighted with the enthusiasm from pupils, staff and parents. Currently, over 40 pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 take lessons. All Speech students at St Nicholas are offered LAMDA exam.

In 2022 over 90% of students at St Nicholas Primary School passed their exams with Distinction.

Ms C. Noble-Barton - Head of School

We have a longstanding relationship with Centrestage dating back several years. I can honestly say that we have always found Centrestage to be a well run, organised and professional company which offers pupils a bespoke experience.

In the modern world it can often seem that the art of verbal communication has been lost; what Centrestage empower pupils to do is communicate clearly and articulately to a range of audiences. Our pupils and parents have been very happy with the standard, consistency and variety of educational experiences offered by Centrestage from lessons to recitals to LAMDA exams, pupils are supported every step of the way by professional and talented staff.

I highly recommend Centrestage!

In September 2016, Centrestage School of Speech and Drama were invited, by the Headmaster, to offer Speech and Drama lessons at Bishop Walsh Catholic Secondary School.

Bishop Walsh Speech lessons currently take place on Mondays, during school hours, and we have been delighted with the enthusiasm from pupils, staff and parents. Currently, over 30 pupils from Year 7 to Year 13 take lessons.

All Speech students at Bishop Walsh are offered LAMDA exams. We are delighted to say that in our summer 2022 exam centre, 100% of Bishop Walsh students passed with Merit or Distinction, with all Sixth Form students (taking Bronze and Silver Medal - the highest grade taken that year) passing with Distinction.

Mrs N. Brodie - Principal

It is a real privilege to host Centrestage at Bishop Walsh Catholic school. It provides our pupils with the opportunity to further explore public speaking and grow in confidence as young people.

The skills the pupils acquire at Centrestage not only help our pupils in drama and performing arts but are transferable to the classroom and wider life of the school.

Centrestage supports pupils from a wide range of abilities, really nurturing those pupils who lack self confidence and giving them lots of encouragement up to stretching the talents of the most able pupils. It is great to know that the pupils can also take the LAMDA exams and formalise their achievements at Centrestage with the help of the wonderful Centrestage teachers.

Bishop Walsh Catholic school is more enriched for having Centrestage in our school.

our work in other schools

bishop vesey's grammar school

University of birmingham school

new oscott primary school

St nicholas catholic primary school

Bishop walsh catholic school