Italia Conti will celebrate its 115th anniversary year in 2026 with the inaugural Noël Coward Scholarship and new funding to widen access to professional training in acting, musical theatre and dance.
Founded in 1911 by actress and teacher Italia Emily Stella Conti, the school has grown from a small London stage school to an internationally respected institution.
Across its 115-year history, Italia Conti has helped launch careers for generations of performers, including Noël Coward, Wendy Richard, Tracey Ullman, Naomi Campbell, Louise Redknapp, Martine McCutcheon, Danny Mayes, Pixie Lott, James Nelson-Joyce, Layton Williams and Mimi Keene.
Now based at a purpose-built modern campus in central Woking, the school brings together specialist facilities for acting, musical theatre and dance alongside recording, television and theatre spaces.
The move completed in 2022 consolidated the historic London and Guildford sites into one creative hub adjacent to the New Victoria, Rhoda McGaw and Buzz Theatres, designed by architectural practice Benoy.
A major focus of the anniversary year will be widening access through bursaries, scholarships and charitable partnerships, with the Noël Coward Scholarship supporting selected students by covering fees across Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance.
The Italia Conti Trust has received a significant grant from the Noël Coward Foundation to strengthen the Trust’s mission to support talented students through funding specialist teaching and learning support.
The partnership reflects the historic connection between Italia Conti and Sir Noël Coward, who was among the school’s earliest alumni and performed in Where the Rainbow Ends, the production that inspired formal training for child actors in 1911.
Italia Conti continues to deepen industry links, including its ongoing partnership with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, which supports elements of the dance degree through workshops, creative projects and artist-in-residence activity.
The collaboration also aligns with New Adventures’ wider touring, including productions such as The Red Shoes at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre, giving students insight into contemporary professional practice.
Higher education programmes are delivered in partnership with the arts-led University of Chichester, and following a transition in 2025, all new degree awards are validated by the university.
Further announcements about events, partnerships and student-led activity planned for the 2026 anniversary year will follow, highlighting training, history, community and the school’s broader industry impact.
Hayley Newton-Jarvis, CEO of Italia Conti, said: “Reaching 115 years is not just about celebrating our past, it’s about reaffirming why Italia Conti still matters today. The industry, and the education landscape, are changing rapidly, and our responsibility is to evolve while staying true to the values that define us: rigorous training, pastoral care and a belief in the potential of every student. Initiatives like the Noël Coward Scholarship, alongside new funding partnerships, are a vital in ensuring that financial circumstance is not a barrier to creative ambition.
“On a personal note, Italia Conti has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so having the honour of leading the school into its anniversary year is incredibly meaningful. We are proud of our extraordinary history and of the artists who have come through our doors, and the commemorations during 2026 will celebrate that legacy while looking firmly to the future.”
Dan Fulham, Vice Principal and Director of the School of Musical Theatre and Dance at Italia Conti, said: “We are thrilled to have secured funding that allows us to further enrich the professional practice opportunities our students benefit from so greatly. We place huge importance on connecting our students with working professionals across acting, musical theatre and dance, ensuring that their training remains contemporary, relevant and truly industry-reflective. What better way to celebrate that commitment than by honouring one of our earliest and most beloved alumni, Sir Noël Coward?”
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