The Arts Educational Schools

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The Arts Educational Schools London, commonly referred to as ArtsEd, is an independent secondary school and training centre based in Chiswick, London and comprises an Independent Vocational Day School for those aged 11-18 years, and a professional Drama School, training Acting and Musical Theatre students for those aged 18 years and upwards.

They also offer a comprehensive range of part-time and short courses for almost every age group with ballet, jazz, drama classes and more on a Saturday; evening classes for adults who are looking for an introduction to the profession or those wishing to develop existing skills; and both professional and introductory Easter and Summer programmes for all abilities.

The Arts Educational Schools originated from the Cone School of Dancing founded in 1919 and the Ripman School founded in 1922. In 1939 these Schools amalgamated to form the Cone-Ripman Schools, which became entitled the Arts Educational Schools. The founders of the Arts Educational Schools, Grace Cone and Olive Ripman, believed that a talent in the performing arts had to be nurtured alongside rigorous training.

During the next forty years the Schools developed using different buildings until it was decided in 1986 to purchase a large premises in Bedford Park, London's first garden suburb. Bedford Park in West London provides a fitting environment for a school devoted to promoting an education in the Arts. The present site was formerly the Chiswick School of Arts and Crafts (1881-1899) and then became the Chiswick Polytechnic. The original building was bombed during the war and rebuilt to a design heavily influenced by the Art Deco period.

Arts Educational Schools London is part of the Conference of Drama Schools (CDS) and has courses accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) and The Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET).

Graduates from both degree courses in Acting and Musical Theatre have gone straight into work following graduation into West End and National productions and can be seen in major movies and quality drama series on BBC, ITV and Channel 4 among others.

The Arts Educational Schools London and The Arts Educational School, Tring Park used to be one and the same school with two locations however they were split and are now completely independent schools.

Dean: John Baraldi

Vice President: Lord Lloyd Webber