Join In
Take the Lead is a free employability programme from The Old Vic for students in years 11–13 that uses theatre techniques and creative workshops to build on five core skills: communication, self-management, self-belief, teamwork and problem-solving.
This programme is created in collaboration with schools and businesses and draws on The Old Vic’s expertise as a theatrical institution to support young people to take ownership over their next steps after school, and prepare them for the working world of the future.
Take the Lead includes five main engagements for selected schools:
- Launch Event: a two and a half hour launch event at an Old Vic Partner Venue where students will hear from exciting guest speakers giving insights into a range of different industries and career journeys, as well as network with students from other schools. Past guest speakers have included Inua Ellams, Laura Dockrill, Sabrina Mahfouz and Levi Roots, and leaders from the business industry at Royal Bank of Canada and CVC Foundation
- A visit to a production at The Old Vic: schools will receive free tickets for their groups to see a production at The Old Vic
- Learn Your Part: a two-hour in-school workshop — How do we use our physicality and words to communicate and work with others? Your students will explore the tools that actors develop in the rehearsal room
- Build Your Company: a two-hour in-school workshop — How do we work together, using our own skills and those of our teammates, to create and present an innovative pitch? Your students will form their own theatre company and pitch the next Old Vic production
- Take to the Stage: A two and a half hour workshop at an Old Vic partner venue — How can we practically apply the skills developed on the programme to help prepare us for the working world? Your students will explore how to communicate their skills and strengths when applying for their next steps. They will also practise networking skills, think about how to create their own elevator pitch and take part in mock interviews to help guide and prepare them for future opportunities
Partner schools also benefit from:
- Students will be supported with a Prompt Book — this additional learning resource is an essential guide to the Take the Lead programme with lots of helpful employability tips from theatre and business professionals, and templates to support future career and educational opportunities and interviews. The Prompt Book also includes space to take notes about learnings from the launch event and workshops and will become a useful tool for each participant throughout the programme and beyond
- Teachers will be further supported through an in-person meet and greet and CPD session, and will also be provided with a teaching resource pack
All of this is available for free thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
In 2024-2025, The Old Vic will be working with the following schools and alternative provisions within the M25:
Swiss Cottage SEN School, Deptford Green School, Islington Collegiate Sixth Form – City of London Academy Highgate Hill, Paddock Secondary School, Hasmonean High School for Girls, Hasmonean High School for Girls, Newhaven School, Oaks Park School, Pinner High School, Nower Hill High School, Harris Academy Bermondsey, Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls, Elthorne Park High School, St. George’s Catholic School, Sydenham School, Hendon School, Harris Girls Bromley, Harris Boys Academy East Dulwich, Morpeth School, New River College Medical, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Central Foundation Girls’ School, Vanguard School, Ark Putney Academy, St. Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls, City Heights E-Act Academy, La Retraite RC Girls School, Riverside School, George Green’s School, Highams Park School, St. Dominic’s Sixth Form College, St. Ignatius College.
By taking part in this programme, your school agrees to take part in two workshops at an external venue and two in-school workshops from Oct 2024–Feb 2025.
Workshops are scheduled in advance and in collaboration with teachers. We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of each school.
Applications for Take the Lead are now closed and will reopen in Spring 2025.
- This programme is designed for students in years 11–13 studying any subject. Students do not have to be studying drama
- This programme has been developed to work with the same students for the duration of the year so that we can adapt the workshops to their particular strengths and also build their skills
- Applications are open to all secondary state schools based within the M25
- The programme is offered free of charge
- Take the Lead is open and accessible to all. We will discuss any access requirements your school may have before the project begins and will ensure appropriate support is in place
- We welcome applications from SEND schools
- We welcome applications from PRUs
- We can adapt workshop content to suit your students
- We can bring in additional staff to support students during in-school workshops
- The Old Vic offers accessible performances, including captioned, audio described and relaxed performances. Find out more about accessibility at The Old Vic.
If you would like to discuss your schools access requirements, or if you have any questions before applying, please contact us at takethelead@oldvictheatre.com or on 07564051814.
If you have any questions, please contact takethelead@oldvictheatre.com or call 07564051814.
Please sign up to our schools mailing list to hear more about workshops, skills and employment programmes, talent development and short courses for your students.
