Hallmarks and Values
The FDS brings together established conservatoire training providers to develop discussion, strategy and projects around shared challenges and initiatives, and to communicate to prospective students, parents, teachers and the wider creative industry the options within and value of these training approaches. Access to training and indeed the value of training, particularly as a performer, are topics about which there is a great deal of anecdotal misinformation, conflicting advice and debate and lack of specific guidance/knowledge. We aim to provide the relevant info to all potential stakeholders for clarity, accuracy and specificity
All our partner schools have a demonstrable track record of producing graduates with long term careers, providing professional training with recognisable identity and value in a complex market and have an emphasis on professionally focused opportunities and skillsets. All FDS partners have a commitment to widening participation.
FDS is not accrediting courses or regulating/quality assuring- we are bringing together organisations:
who seek to deliver specialist training for professional performance careers on a conservatoire type model which has the following characteristics
- Training is embodied, attended and contact rich
- Teaching in small groups allowing attention to the individuals artistic development
- Acquiring and demonstrating skills through numerous as professional public performance opportunities and production standards (with performance experiences with industry standard technical resources for production courses)
- Courses deliver content, training experiences and opportunities that are aligned with the contemporary industry/employment contexts
- Embedding substantial professional engagement and relevant teaching experience in teaching delivery and recognition
- Training is focused on maximising the individual’s professional employability- and sustainable career
- Specialist practical holistic teaching, learning and assessment methods
- Comprehensive engagement with EDI and student support across all activity from audition to graduation
- Students are selected rigorously on practical potential for excellence
It should be noted that many schools run multiple courses which are conceived to provide different offers, and so some courses will quite rightly not look at eg a showcase for agents as being a fundamental criterion of professional connections. All potential students are recommended to pay close attention to what the course information is and to pay attention to the specific objectives of the intended programme of study
FDS schools share principles, hallmarks and practice based approaches, but the FDS does not specify or require a singular adherence to a particular curriculum, content or delivery.
There are other training and learning providers who also offer good options for prospective students, and are a vital part of the rich texture of the UKs creative industries but we do not seek ownership over all pathways into professional performance careers, or to adjudicate those other possibilities. Not every provider of training and learning for performance is a drama school, nor should they need to be.
FDS is not an expansionist organisation in respect of seeking new partners, but if as an institution you feel you would like to work with us, we would be very happy to open up conversations in respect of the process for doing so.
The core principles which underpin course design can be found here. Please note that all of us run courses which engage with these in different ways – a foundation course is not a professionally ready training, an MA may lead to research rather than stardom.
All partner schools are also expected to demonstrate working policies and practices which adhere to the FDS ethical guidelines, which can be found here.