What's on for schools at the South Bank

National-Theatre-building from the north-east in winter with people walking past

Discover the range of opportunities available for school groups at National Theatre’s home on the South Bank.

Explore our upcoming productions and book your tickets now for a truly memorable school trip.

Stay up-to-date 💌

We’ll send you updates once per term, with the latest resources, events and opportunities for your school.

Tickets

For Olivier and Lyttelton performances, Monday – Thursday and for Dorfman performances on Mondays and Tuesdays, the following discounts are available during term-time:

£10 tickets for UK state schools of 10+ students aged 18 or younger, plus one teacher at the same price per nine pupils.
£12 tickets for UK independent schools of 10+ students aged 18 or younger, plus one teacher at the same price per nine pupils.

School/educational groups can request tickets for shows at the National Theatre via the form below, or you can book tickets directly by calling the groups line on 020 7452 3010.

The booking window for each new season of productions is open for a minimum of three weeks from the school onsale date. We recommend early completion of the booking request form to avoid disappointment.

We accept payment of school group tickets by invoice for early bookings. Bookings can be held for three weeks from the date of reservation, or until ten days before the performance date, whilst awaiting payment (whichever is sooner).

UK school group booking request form

A group of individuals in dark, floor-length garments stand solemnly on a dimly lit stage. — Photo by Misan Harriman

Highlights

Schools booking is open for the 2024 season and includes our spectacular new adaptation of Ballet Shoes. In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters are learning who they are and what they want to be. Recommended for 7 year olds and up.

Three young women in white tulle dresses create dynamic poses against a colorful, textured curtain background. One hangs upside down, another swings on a rope, and the third stands below reaching up. The scene is vibrant and whimsical, evoking a sense of playful elegance.

Ballet Shoes

The beloved best-selling book is spectacularly reinvented for stage in this new adaptation by Kendall Feaver. Playing between November 2024 and February 2025.

Ballet Shoes

Alterations

Lynette Linton directs this era defining comedy illuminating the Windrush generation’s experience of 1970’s London, with additional material by Trish Cooke, in its largest ever staging. Playing between February and April 2025.

Alterations

A hanging black basket filled with vibrant multicolored flowers including shades of yellow, red, blue, and green against a pale green background. The flowers are densely packed, and the basket is suspended by chains.

London Road

Using their own words set to an innovative musical score, London Road is a moving story of ordinary people coming together during an extraordinary time. Playing in June 2025.

London Road

Ticket request forms

A group of secondary school students backstage at the National Theatre

UK school booking form

A dramatic stage scene depicting a modern office with glass walls and cityscape views. Two actors in dark suits face a central actor standing on a pile of document boxes. The setting includes desks, office chairs, and scattered office supplies, all under a grid of ceiling lights.

UK schools booking form for West End shows

UK Schools booking form for National Theatre shows in the West End

A shirtless man with a muscular build stands defiantly behind a marble pedestal between two large, classical columns, set against a textured marble background. He wears worn and dirty brown trousers, has a determined expression and has leather strapping wound around one hand and the wrist of his other arm.

University and HE booking form

A person with short brown hair wearing a white tank top lies on their side on a grassy surface looking slightly upward. The image is taken from an angle that makes it appear as if the person is standing against a vertical grass wall, with a blue sky background.

Non UK educational group booking form

Explore our schools-only matinee

Five people in colorful vintage attire are framed within pink square cutouts against a bright pink background. They each pose differently, showcasing their unique outfits, which feature eccentric accessories like a large hat, pearls, and floral embellishments. — Photography by Danny Kasirye

The Importance of Being Earnest

We are pleased to announce our schools’ matinee performance of The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde on Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 2:30pm. We are offering up to 35 tickets per school, teachers included, all priced at £10 each.

This new production will be a joyful and flamboyant re-imagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy, exploring identity, impersonation and romance. Recommended for Key Stage 5 students who are studying the play as part of an English or drama course, or for GCSE students writing their live theatre review.

Applications for our schools’ matinee have now closed.

Building tours

Take a guided tour of the National Theatre with your class and discover the secrets of one of the most iconic buildings on the South Bank.

Come in a group, as an individual, or with your family – all are welcome. We also provide for any access requirements you or your group may have.

Book a tour of the National Theatre

A shot of the Sherling High Level walkway backstage at the National Theatre, a balcony overlooking the set and prop-making departments

Our funders

The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.

Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Crevan O’Grady & Jane McClenahan, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, The Kartik Foundation, Behrens Foundation, Marlow Trust, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.

Find out more about supporting our work

Contact us

Box Office

You can chat to our Box Office team between 11am-6pm Monday to Saturday using the green chat button on the bottom of our web pages, or email boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk

To book tickets by phone, call 020 3989 5455 from 9.30am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 6pm on Saturdays.

Access

To book Disabled concession tickets and for any additional support you may require, please call our Access line 020 7452 3961 from 11am-6pm, Monday to Saturday.

Our Access page has more detailed information for users with specific access requirements.

Group Bookings

To book tickets for a group of 10 or more, call 020 7452 3010 from 11am -6pm, Monday to Saturday.

More to explore

A classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection on a screen.

National Theatre Collection

The best of British Theatre is now available to stream for schools, universities, and the wider education sector.

National Theatre Collection

16 to 25 year-old tickets

Learn how to pay less for amazing shows.

16 to 25 year-old tickets

A person holding a sandwich filled with smoked salmon and cucumber. The table also has plates with similar sandwiches, a bowl of nuts, a bowl of green olives, and a bowl of crisps. Another person's hand is reaching for food in the background.

Eat and drink

Explore our fresh food and drinks experience available on the South Bank.

Eat and drink