Court Theatre Training Company Joins Esteemed Federation of Drama Schools

London-based Court Theatre Training Company, known for its fresh approach to actor training, has officially become the latest member of the Federation of Drama Schools (FDS) — a major step that highlights its growing reputation in UK drama education.

This moment is particularly historic as it marks the first new member to be admitted to the Federation since it was formed, securing Court Theatre’s place among the top-tier training institutions for aspiring performers.

Since launching in 1989, the school has earned a name for itself with a professional, career-ready curriculum, inclusive values, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional drama training. Court Theatre’s admission into the FDS not only celebrates its ongoing excellence, but also reflects wider change in the industry — giving recognition to a school that combines creative rigour with modern values.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be accepted into the Federation of Drama Schools,” said Paul Taylor, Executive Director of Court Theatre Training Company. “This recognition validates decades of work by our faculty, alumni, and students and opens a new era of opportunity, visibility, and excellence.”

Why It Matters

FDS membership is a strong endorsement that Court Theatre offers training on par with the very best in the UK. For students and graduates, this means improved industry access, wider recognition, and greater trust from casting directors, agents, and producers.

The timing couldn’t be more relevant. In a sector calling out for greater openness and flexibility, Court Theatre continues to lead with its accessible audition policy, innovative outreach, and ability to sponsor international students via UKVI approval — reaffirming its mission to make top-quality drama training available to all.

About the Federation of Drama Schools
The Federation of Drama Schools was established in 2017. Evolving from a group of drama school training providers who came together initially in 1969 as the Conference of Drama Schools (CDS), the 22 member schools at the time offered courses in Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing and Technical Theatre training, which were accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT). In 2012, these 2 bodies merged to form Drama UK. In 2017, this organisation dissolved, and the Federation of Drama Schools was created.
The Federation of Drama Schools partners are institutions that provide conservatoire vocational training for those who want to be professional performers, theatre makers and technical theatre practitioners. The courses they offer are for the most part for students of 18 years and over, and are fully established, recognised and regulated as higher education qualifications.
Each Federation partner offers a range of different courses and programmes. They are also individual in terms of particular ethos and approaches- there is no ‘set’ programme or course of studies, just as there is no ‘fixed’ ideal of what characteristics make a great performer or performance maker.
All partner schools do adhere to shared principles and characteristics that underpin their training programmes, and these are used to underpin the consideration of new partners. These hallmarks outline the key elements of a professional training experience and are what might be expected from any course that is intended to prepare for a professional performance career.

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