Academic Excellence

Our school mission is to provide an education that cultivates courteous, independent and creative thinkers.

We allow our students' passionate interests to be unlocked and explored alongside excelling academically, practically, emotionally and socially in a purposeful school environment.

Our independence allows us to have a direct focal point on the individual, be responsive to change and provide a broad, innovative educational journey for our pupils.

Small class sizes allow more focus from the teacher to student, more opportunities to take part and express their opinions, more tailored technical training and enable students to be more educationally engaged and stimulated.

Embedding Professional Performing Arts training into the curriculum allows students to balance their academic and Performing Arts studies in an environment that understands the desire to succeed in both.

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Year 4-9

English Literature
English Language
Mathematics
Science
History
Geography
French
Art
IT

Year 10-11

English Literature (IGCSE)
English Language (IGCSE)
Mathematics (IGCSE)
Science (IGCSE)
History (IGCSE)
French (GCSE)
Art (GCSE)
Level 2 Diploma in Performing Arts

We are committed to providing our pupils with a well-rounded education.

Our curriculum not only provides the essential foundations for lifelong learning but also nurtures character and virtue, empowering students to thrive throughout both their primary and secondary education, and beyond.

PERFORMING ARTS CURRICULUM

Dance

Examination Boards

Classical Ballet (RAD)
Modern Theatre (ISTD)
Tap (ISTD)
Acro (Acrobatic Arts)
Street and Commercial (RSL)

Supportive Classes

Jazz Technique
Lyrical Jazz
Contemporary
Commercial
Body Conditioning
Progressing Ballet Technique
Classical Repertoire
Stretch and Strengthen
Drills and Skills

Acting, Singing, Musical Theatre

Examinations

Screen Acting (RSL)
Acting (RSL)
Musical Theatre (RSL)
Singing (LCM)

Supportive Classes

Music Theory
Vocal Health
Improvisation
Audition Preparation
Stagecraft
Choral Singing
Vocal Technique

Our Performing Arts curriculum focuses on all three core components of the Performing Arts Industry: Dance, Singing, and Drama.

Students will prepare for examinations in Tap and Modern through the ISTD syllabus, Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance, and Drama and Vocal through RSL and London College of Music.

In addition to these examinations, students will benefit from a range of non-syllabus classes to support their overall development. Regular classes in conditioning, flexibility, jazz, contemporary, tap, vocal anatomy, and drama will ensure a well-rounded Performing Arts education.

At NDSOPA, students will also have access to in-house agency audition opportunities, and self-tape submissions are a regular part of day-to-day experiences, giving them an authentic insight into industry practices.

To keep their learning fresh and current, students will have the opportunity to attend regular masterclasses with industry professionals and casting directors. These experiences, along with regular trips to the theatre, will reinforce their learning and broaden their cultural knowledge.

We also provide students with offsite learning experiences, such as recording studio sessions and working in theatrical performance spaces, further enhancing their practical skills and industry readiness.

NDSOPA pupils take part in a variety of extracurricular activities, which change throughout the academic year. These activities may include swimming, martial arts, yoga, and more, providing students with a well-rounded experience beyond their core studies.