LAMDA at St Mary’s: Building Confidence, Communication and Life Skills for the Future
LAMDA lessons at St Mary’s provide an exciting opportunity for children to develop confidence, communication skills and creativity through specialist, personalised teaching.
What is LAMDA?
LAMDA stands for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, one of the world’s oldest and most respected drama schools. Founded in 1861, LAMDA offers internationally recognised examinations in Drama, Performance, Public Speaking and Musical Theatre for children and adults alike.
These graded examinations are similar to music exams, allowing students to progress step-by-step as they develop their skills.
More Than Acting – The Life Skills LAMDA Builds
While many people associate LAMDA with acting, the benefits go far beyond the stage.
LAMDA exams are designed to develop essential life skills such as communication, confidence, teamwork and self-expression through drama, literature and performance.
Research into LAMDA programmes has found that students who participate often show:
- Improved confidence and public speaking skills
- Stronger communication and interpersonal abilities
- Greater resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence
- Improved memory, literacy and focus
In fact, one evaluation found that almost 80% of students involved in LAMDA showed increased confidence, with teachers reporting transformative effects for some learners.*
Skills That Last a Lifetime
LAMDA training prepares children for much more than performance.
Being able to stand up, speak clearly, present ideas and express thoughts confidently are skills valued in almost every profession. Speech and drama training helps students organise their ideas, present arguments and communicate effectively — abilities that are essential in fields such as law, medicine, teaching, politics and business.*
LAMDA also helps children become comfortable speaking in front of others from an early age, which can significantly reduce the fear of public speaking later in life.*
Academic and Future Opportunities
LAMDA qualifications are internationally recognised and can support future academic pathways.
At the higher grades (Grades 6–8), students can earn UCAS points for university applications, providing a valuable addition to their academic profile.
For those interested in performing arts or drama school, LAMDA pieces learned during lessons can also be used as audition material.
Confidence, Creativity and Achievement
Beyond qualifications, LAMDA gives children something equally valuable: confidence in themselves.
Through performance, improvisation and storytelling, students learn to express ideas creatively, work collaboratively and enjoy the process of learning. The result is often a noticeable boost in confidence both inside and outside the classroom.
Celebrating Success at St Mary’s
We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements.
St Mary’s LAMDA students achieved an outstanding 99% Distinction rate in the 2025 examinations – a remarkable testament to their hard work and enthusiasm.
Interested in Joining?
Due to several of our Year 11 and Year 13 students moving on to study leave, a small number of places have opened up in the LAMDA Department for the Trinity Term. This is a wonderful opportunity to secure a place before the usual September rush.
Lessons are available as 1-to-1 or Duo sessions from Year 2 upwards, and we also run an Introductory LAMDA Club group for Years 1 and 2. All sessions are 30 minutes long and tailored to each child’s ability and confidence level.
If you would like to book your child into LAMDA lessons at St Mary’s, or if you have any questions, please contact:
Email Miss Moignard to secure your place
*Source: London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art – Impact Evaluation of LAMDA Examinations in Schools.
Source: London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art – LAMDA Exams: Learner Information and Benefits.
Source: London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art – About LAMDA and Examination Syllabus.
Source: An Adventurous Education – Benefits of Taking LAMDA Performance and Drama Exams.
Source: Speech and Drama Academy – Benefits of LAMDA Exams for Communication and Public Speaking Skills.
Source: Finding Voices – Why Drama Exams Help Normalise Public Speaking in Children.