Montaigne Performing Arts Programme
The Destination for Drama and Performing Arts
Our Vision
Our goal is to establish Notre Dame as a nationally recognised centre of excellence and destination for girls passionate about the performing arts, meaning that we have a professional standard and culture right here.
A Total Creative Experience
Students will have the opportunity to perform, direct, design, film and create. The programme is designed to take your daughter’s passion seriously, providing a roadmap that supports her from her first steps on stage through to professional industry pathways.
Professional Excellence & Industry Integration
Elite Industry Partnerships
We have secured prestigious connections with industry leaders to bring the professional world into the heart of the School. Notre Dame is proud to collaborate with National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT), Italia Conti, the and Mountview Theatre School for industry level workshops, performance pathways and qualifications.
Professional Qualifications & UCAS Points
In addition to our current offering of LAMDA & ABRSM exams, we are introducing more accredited qualifications that prepare students for the modern industry:
- Screen Acting (MN Awards): A nationally recognised, Ofqual-regulated qualification (Levels 1–8) developing real-world on-camera skills.
- Filmmaking (MN Awards): Notre Dame will be the only school in the country offering this course, which includes grades and UCAS points to support university applications.
- Mountview Production Exams: Our School productions are now benchmarked against national standards, providing students with external professional feedback and industry-level accountability.
Facilities & Scholarships
Professional Facilities To ensure our students feel their craft is taken seriously, we are investing in production-ready spaces:
- The Dressing Room: We are converting wardrobe space into a dedicated, professional dressing room, moving away from changing in classrooms to a professional backstage environment.
- Outdoor Summer Theatre: In collaboration with a tree charity, we are planting a ‘Performance Grove’ to serve as a living auditorium for signature cultural moments like Outdoor Shakespeare.
- Technical Upgrades: We are installing professional-grade screens and camera equipment in the theatre to enhance the experience for performers and audiences alike.
- Musical Theatre Scholarship: We now offer a Musical Theatre Scholarship to recognise students with exceptional “triple-threat” ability in singing, acting, and dancing. This award demonstrates our commitment to nurturing elite talent and valuing the arts as central to an outstanding education.
Your Daughter's Future:
The Professional Pathway
A Sixth Form Powerhouse
The Montaigne Programme is designed to make Notre Dame a destination for Sixth Form students, offering an unrivalled drama provision that rivals specialist performing arts schools. By staying at Notre Dame, students benefit from a broad academic curriculum alongside immersive, full-time training.
The Notre Dame Industry Network
In the performing arts, “who you know” matters. We are building a formal Alumni Network and hosting annual Industry Showcases. Students will benefit from:
- Masterclasses with agents, directors, and casting directors.
- Mock Auditions and critiques from industry professionals.
The Notre Dame Musical Theatre (NDMT) Weekend School
High-quality training in the ‘triple threat’ disciplines: Singing, Acting, and Dance.
Sessions delivered weekly by specialist staff in the professional Notre Dame Theatre and Montaigne studio.
Termly performances and showcases for parents and guests, with opportunities to participate in local festivals and competitions.
A focus on developing performance skills, confidence and memorable opportunities.
Who Can Join?
Open to all girls from Year 3 to Year 13.
We welcome both current Notre
Dame pupils and external students from the wider community.
