At Maida Vale School, Pupils will be able to opt to study Drama from Year 9. We will follow the AQA GCSE Drama syllabus which allows Pupils to pursue acting and/or design options such as set, lighting, costume or puppet design. The course offers both practical and written components.

Pupils create their own work, as well as exploring play-texts and lots of trips to the theatre. 


We must all do theatre, to find out who we are and to discover who we could become.

Augusto Boal


At A Level, Pupils also study the AQA syllabus which inspires Pupils to become independent learners with the skills they need to go on to higher education, whether that is to study a course in Drama and Theatre or another subject. This qualification emphasises practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding. Pupils learn through experience and will gain many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.

Maida Vale School is equipped with a theatre and drama studio.

Extra-curricular Drama

Maida Vale School will offer a rich programme with weekly clubs for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Pupils. In these clubs, Pupils develop their Drama skills and socialise – it’s serious fun. We will also offer a Film Club where Pupils can learn about this exciting art form and make their own movies.

At Maida Vale, Pupils will have the opportunity to enter local and national performing arts competitions such as:

  • The English-Speaking Union’s ‘Performing Shakespeare’ Competition’
  • The Independent Schools’ Association Drama Festival

Gardener School Pupils have had great success with these competitions in the past, taking first place in many categories.

Productions 

Every November we will showcase our main school production, usually a musical. These productions give the Pupils a flavour of what it’s like to be in a professional production, whether on stage or behind the scenes. Past productions include: A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz and Great Expectations.

At the end of the Summer term, the focus will turn to our youngest performers with the annual Year 7 and 8 Summer Showcase. Pupils from these year groups present a range of scenes from Shakespeare and other classic plays, interspersed with musical and dance items.

Pupils may also study for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) grades with our specialist teacher on Mondays and Tuesdays after school.