Speech, drama and confidence, built from the ground up.

Drama, speech and performance for children, teens and adults, led by a director, teacher and practising LAMDA examiner. Work towards LAMDA qualifications, or simply grow in confidence and creativity. Taught face-to-face and online.

Enquire about a place See the journey
ExaminerA current LAMDA examiner, Grades 1–8 and PCertLAM
15+ yearsPreparing students for LAMDA exams
DirectorStage productions, workshops and professional theatre
In person & onlineGroup and solo lessons, all ages

Former students

Every journey starts on the ground floor. Some go all the way to the screen.

Florence Pugh Oscar-nominated actor
Former drama student, directed by Sophie as Bruno Jenkins in The Witches
Georgia Hirst Actor · Vikings
Former GCSE Drama and LAMDA student, directed by Sophie in Grimm Tales
The LAMDA journey

Every performer starts on solid ground

Each grade builds on the one before. Students begin wherever suits them and climb at their own pace. Every exam is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

IntroductoryStages 1–3Solo

A gentle first taste of performing for young beginners.

EntryLevelFirst qualification

Building confidence towards the first graded exams.

Grades1–3Level 1

Memory, clear speech and the confidence to be seen and heard.

Grades4–5Level 2

Richer texts, deeper character work and real interpretation.

Grades6–8Level 3 · UCAS points

Advanced performance, recognised by universities.

BronzeSilverGold
Level 3 CertificatePCertLAMBeyond Grade 8

A themed recital and written portfolio.

FoundationsVoice · body · imagination · listening · courage
Subjects

Choose your stage

Every LAMDA subject up to Grade 8, taught solo, in pairs or in small groups.

Introductory – Grade 8

Acting

Scenes and monologues from stage and screen, exploring character, subtext, voice and movement.

Introductory – Grade 8

Speaking Verse & Prose

Poetry and prose performed from memory, building diction, rhythm and a love of language.

Introductory – Grade 8

Public Speaking

Speeches, presentations and impromptu talks, with the structure and presence to hold a room.

Introductory – Grade 8

Musical Theatre

Acting through song, bringing character and story to every number.

Levels 1 – 3

Shakespeare for Performance

From Shakespeare's words to his scenes and sonnets, spoken with understanding and confidence.

Level 3 Certificate

PCertLAM

The Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies. A devised recital on a theme, plus a written portfolio.

More ways to learn

exam optional

Poetry & Creative Writing

Read, write and perform poems and stories. Students can work towards a LAMDA exam, or simply enjoy finding their own voice on the page.

online

Screen Acting

Acting for camera, working towards Ofqual-regulated Screen Acting exams with MN Awards, assessed through recorded performances. Level 3 grades carry UCAS points.

up to age 25

Arts Award

A nationally recognised award that celebrates young people's creativity: taking part in the arts, discovering artists, and sharing their skills with others.

Ways to learn

In the room or on screen

Group and solo lessons, face-to-face or online, for students of every age.

In person

Face-to-face

Lively, hands-on classes in a small, friendly setting, where students can move, play and perform together.

  • Small group classes
  • One-to-one lessons
  • Children, teens and adults
On screen

Online, wherever you are

Live, interactive lessons that work around school, work and family life.

  • Online group classes
  • One-to-one lessons
  • All ages, home-educated students welcome
Flagship course

Chalkpit Future Leaders Academy

A year-long course working towards LAMDA Public Speaking exams, at whichever grade suits each student. Students learn to debate with respect, question their sources, build a strong argument and speak with conviction.

DebatingRhetoricMedia literacyImpromptu speakingPresentation skillsCritical thinking
Ask about the Academy

Towards the exams

IPrepared speechesInformative, persuasive and own-choice speeches, written and rehearsed in class.
IIImpromptu speakingThinking on your feet, with a topic given and delivered on the spot.
IIIDeliveryVoice, pace, pause, body language and connecting with an audience.
IVTheoryA conversation with the examiner about the craft of speaking.

Exam content builds grade by grade, up to Grade 8.

Beyond the classroom

See great speaking in action

Optional trips and experiences, offered alongside the course for students who'd like to take part.

Your teacher

Sophie Jones

I've spent my career in drama, and I still love watching a student find their voice.

I founded Chalkpit Theatre Arts in 2019, the same year I became a LAMDA examiner. I've taught and examined every subject, from Acting and Musical Theatre to Public Speaking and PCertLAM, so I know exactly what examiners are looking for and how to help students shine on the day.

For more than twenty years I've worked as a drama teacher, director and freelance theatre practitioner, and taught English too. I've been a Head of Drama, directed many productions, worked in professional theatre, and taught in the UK and overseas. I trained in Applied Theatre with Young People at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

That's why Chalkpit is about more than exams. LAMDA gives students a goal to aim for, but the real prize is the confidence, creativity and presence they carry into everything else.

My classes are warm, lively and inclusive. I believe every student learns best when they feel safe to play, try and be brave.

Sophie Jones
Drama for every learner

A place where every child can shine

I've worked extensively with students with a wide range of special educational needs and learning differences. For many of them, drama is where they first discover what they're good at.

My degree was split equally between Theatre Studies and the Arts Therapies. On the therapies side, I studied dance, drama, music and art therapy, alongside psychological and therapeutic theory and practice, with a psychoanalytic approach. I'm also qualified in SEND to Level 2.

My lessons are drama lessons, not therapy. But that training shapes how I teach: noticing what each child needs, giving feelings a safe place to go, and building trust before asking anyone to perform.

  • Spoken, not writtenLAMDA exams are performed and discussed aloud, so students who find writing hard can show what they really know.
  • Small, clear stepsThe graded structure breaks progress into achievable goals, with a recognised certificate at every stage.
  • Emotional literacy through poetryExploring the moods and feelings in a poem gives students words for their own emotions, and a safe distance to talk about them.
  • Rhythm, memory and readingLearning verse by heart builds memory, sequencing and reading fluency through rhythm and rhyme.
  • Confidence and self-esteemStanding up and being heard, and applauded, does wonders for a child who has struggled elsewhere.
  • Adjustments that workLAMDA offers reasonable adjustments for exams, and lessons are paced and adapted for each student.
A world of theatre

Every culture has a stage

A lifelong love of travel has taken me across all seven continents, and I've been lucky enough to teach in Thailand, Colombia and Japan. Wherever I go, I'm drawn to the places where people gather to tell their stories, through song, ritual, festival and performance.

Those encounters shape everything I do. They remind me that theatre belongs to everyone, and they bring new styles, stories and ways of seeing into my teaching, so students discover just how many ways there are to tell a story.

Sophie on a desert dune at sunset
Sophie beside carved stone monuments in Tbilisi
Sophie at a waterfall with a rainbow
Sophie scuba diving beside an underwater stone head
Questions

Good to know

My child has never performed before. Is that OK?

Absolutely. Many students start with no experience at all. LAMDA has introductory exams designed for beginners, and confidence is built gently from the very first lesson.

Does my child have to take an exam?

No. Exams give students a great goal, but some join simply to grow in confidence or enjoy the creative side. Students only enter an exam when they're ready.

My child has special educational needs. Will drama suit them?

Very often, yes. I've worked with many students with SEND, and LAMDA's spoken, step-by-step format suits a wide range of learners. Get in touch and we can talk about what would help your child most.

Do you teach adults?

Yes. Lessons are open to all ages, and adults are welcome in both solo and online classes.

We home educate. Can my child join?

Yes. Online group and one-to-one lessons are a great fit for home-educated students, and LAMDA qualifications are a recognised way to mark their progress.

How much do lessons cost?

Fees depend on the course and whether lessons are group or solo. Get in touch and I'll send you full details, including payment options.

Are exam entry fees included?

LAMDA's exam entry fees are set by LAMDA and vary by grade. I'll explain everything when you enquire, so there are no surprises.

Curtain up

Ready to take the stage?

Send a message to ask about places, fees, or which subject would suit best. I'll reply personally, usually within a couple of days.

Or call 07545 330089