Winners have been announced for the 2025 National School Theatre Awards® (NSTAs), held on Monday, 23 June 2025 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London.
The awards honour the finest in school theatre across the UK, shining a spotlight on the talent, creativity, and dedication of young performers.
The awards are open to State, Independent and Specialist Performing Arts schools.
A host of industry professionals were in attendance at this year’s awards including NSTA patrons David Bradley, Joe Cole, Jo Joyner, James T Taylor, Eoin Mallon, and Francesca Bradley. Other patrons for the National School Theatre Awards include Callum Turner, Kara Tointon, Chris Ma, Zoe Boyle, and George Bukhari.
Presenters at the Gillian Lynne Theatre included Cian Hughes, Paula McGann, Verity Naughton, Ola Animashawun (National Theatre Connections Dramaturg), Rob Lehman (Director at the Young Lyric), Nicholai La Barrie (Associate Director at the Lyric), and Sir Rod Aldridge.
A number of performances took place, including a scene from The Girl on the Train by Cranleigh School, choreographed dance pieces from HIPA, Sandringham School and Regan Garcia, musical solos from Nana (Christ’s Hospital School), Evangeline (Stamford School), and ensemble musical numbers performed by Bury Grammar School, Watford Grammar School for Girls, The Folkestone School for Girls, St Edmund’s School, Edgeborough School, Lady Eleanor Holles, Ashfield School, Artemis College, and Ratton School.
Attendees also watched video messages from singers Emma Bunton and new star of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Fleur East, to Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Dear England), and Anthony Van Laast (Mamma Mia!), who was awarded a CBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for Services to Dance and Choreography. Charlie G Hawkins featured as this year’s red carpet presenter.
Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in September 2025. The awards were sponsored by The Aldridge Foundation and Parvis Magna Productions.
The National School Theatre Awards 2025 – Full list of winners
Best Choreography by a Pupil
George (Annie, Brimsham Green School)
Shira (Westside Story, St Margaret’s School)
Ella (Night at the Musicals, Elstree Screen Arts Academy)
Best Set, Lighting or Sound Design
Ben & Aidan (We Will Rock You, Towers School and Sixth Form)
Joseph (Legally Blonde, The King’s School Canterbury)
Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Ronnie (The Madness of King George, Westcliff High School for Boys)
Will (The Laramie Project, Reeds School)
Best Supporting Actress in a Play
Emily (The 39 Steps, St Gregory’s Catholic High School)
Megan (Coram Boy, Farnborough Hill)
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Aaron (Legally Blonde, Ysgol John Bright)
Ben (West Side Story, Merchant Taylor’s School)
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Jaimee (Frozen, The Hertfordshire and Essex High School)
Amelia (White Christmas, The King’s School Worcester)
Frankie (Into the Woods, University College)
Best Actor in a Play
Harry (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Sandringham School)
Fergus (Shakespeare in Love, Reigate Grammar School)
Gustav (Dracula, The BRIT School)
Best Actress in a Play
Arabella (No Regrets, The Folkestone School for Girls)
Sophia (The Girl on the Train, Cranleigh)
Harnoor (Harlequinade, Arts Ed Day School)
Best Actor in a Musical
Felix (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Gilberd School)
Alfred (Chicago, Mount Kelly)
Todd (Alice by Heart, Arts Ed)
Best Actress in a Musical
Daisy (The Addams Family, Ormskirk School)
Ruby (9 to 5, St John’s School)
Ginevra (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Gilberd School)
Best Female Musical Solo
Tara (Sister Act, St Augustine’s Catholic College)
Ananya (Les Miserables, Epsom College)
Alexa (Fame Jr, Young Talent Academy)
Best Male Musical Solo
Owen (Les Miserables, Marlwood)
Josh (Les Miserables, Epsom College)
Nana (Les Miserables, Christ’s Hospital School)
Public Vote – Best Female Musical Solo
Evangeline
Public Vote – Best Male Musical Solo
Thomas
Public Vote – Best Dramatic Monologue
Sasha
Kavanagh Award for Outstanding Contribution
Claramae – Marlborough Science Academy
Best Prep School Production
Kings Ely – Goodnight Mr Tom
Best Part Time School Production
YTA Young Talent Academy – Fame Jr
Best Ensemble
Artemis College – Godspell
St Gabriel’s School – Sister Act
ArtsEd Day School – Alice By Heart
Best Play (sponsored by the Aldridge Foundation)
Westcliff High School for Boys – The Madness of King George
Brighton College – The Trial
The BRIT School – Dracula
Best Musical (sponsored by the Aldridge Foundation)
Ysgol John Bright – Legally Blonde
Lady Eleanor Holles – 42nd Street
Hurtwood House – The Witches of Eastwick
