COVID-19 Information

What is LAMDA doing to minimise the risk of infection? 

We are following all Public Health England and Office for Students advice and guidance and are continuing to communicate regularly with our students and staff. A team of key staff (Critical Incident Management Team) drawn from across LAMDA meet regularly to share information, review the rapidly changing situation and put in place contingency plans as the situation changes.

In line with the government’s new Higher Education guidance, we will shift towards a policy of individual responsibility to look after each other, rather than LAMDA enforcing measures.

As always, these measures are being kept under review and we will update if we receive any further information or guidance from the government. You can find the latest guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) here. 

We encourage all staff and students to get fully vaccinated including boosting jabs. Book your COVID-19 vaccination here.

COVID-19 Testing

Twice-weekly testing will no longer be required. Testing will now operate on a voluntary basis.

We will continue to give out our remaining test kits individually on request until supplies run out. You can also still order Lateral-Flow Tests online.

You can find the latest government advice on when to test on the NHS website.

Face coverings

Face coverings are no longer required for students, staff and visitors in teaching settings or communal areas, although you are all welcome to continue wearing face coverings if you wish. 

We may still ask people to wear a face covering when in an audience situation or other situations where large groups are gathered in indoor spaces, so do please continue bringing a face mask to LAMDA. We will continue to have a supply of face coverings at the customer service desk. 

Staff and students should follow wider advice on face coverings outside of LAMDA, including when travelling to Talgarth Road.

Social-distancing

The 1m social distance rule is no longer required, however where possible it is still a good way to keep the spread of illness low.

If you feel unwell

If you are feeling unwell you should stay at home and report your absence through the usual channels.

Although there will no longer be a legal obligation to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19, the government recommends you stay at home if you can and avoid contact with others. We would ask if you test positive, you let us know and that you stay at home until you are well enough to return.

If students are displaying symptoms of illness (regardless of whether it is Covid) they should expect to be sent home by the member of staff in charge of the class/rehearsal.

If you are in the building but are too unwell to travel, go to a meeting room on Level 1 in the West Wing. Inform Facilities by calling 020 8834 0560. 

How will we deliver safe and inclusive training in 2022/2023? 

Our first priority will be to ensure that we offer training safely, and we will adhere to guidance about health and safety measures, social distancing, and provide wellbeing support so that staff and students can engage fully in the creative process. At this current time the majority of learning across all courses takes place at Talgarth Road, in person. Training may be delivered via a mix of in person and online classes depending on restrictions at the time.

We will still provide excellent opportunities for industry related activities; in 2022/23 where, when, and how we provide things such as industry showcases, performances, and trips may operate differently to ensure your safety. We will primarily offer innovative blended learning opportunities to help students prepare for entry to the industry.

Where can I find out more information about what I will study in 2022/23? 

You can find further course specific information and module breakdowns on individual course pages. View all courses here.

I'm applying to LAMDA for full-time study – what should I do?  

If you have applied or are intending to apply to LAMDA to study from September 2022 continue to do so. LAMDA remains open and all applications for entry 2022 are being processed as normal. You can find information about applications on individual course pages.

Current students can find information about LAMDA's COVID-19 policies on the intranet, LAMDA World.

Please note:

• Twice-weekly testing will no longer be required and testing will now operate on a voluntary basis.
• If you are feeling unwell you should stay at home and report your absence through the usual channels. If you are displaying symptoms of illness (regardless of whether it is Covid), you should expect to be sent home by the member of staff in charge of the class/rehearsal.
• Face coverings are no longer required for students, staff and visitors in teaching settings or communal areas, although you are all welcome to continue wearing face coverings if you wish. 
• We may still ask people to wear a face covering when in an audience situation or other situations where large groups are gathered in indoor spaces, so do please continue bringing a face mask to LAMDA. We will continue to have a supply of face coverings at the customer service desk. 

LAMDA Examinations

Updated: Friday 7 July 2022

Is it possible to take an exam online?
Yes, we offer online assessments for many of our solo, duo and combined exams. You can read more about them here.

Can I get a refund for my exam fees if my learner(s) cannot take their exam because of Covid?
Yes, we will issue a Transfer Credit Voucher for the full value of the exam fee. This voucher can be used as payments towards a future exam. 

Will I still get my results on time?
Our exams team is working hard to get results sent out as quickly as possible. Private Centres will be sent their results by email. Public Centres will have their results posted to them. All Examiner feedback, certificates and medals (if applicable) will still be posted to customers as usual.

Results will be sent 10 weeks after the exam, those awaiting UCAS points will be prioritised.

Can I still order LAMDA Exams materials including syllabi?
Yes, we are still taking orders via our online shop.

How will you ensure the safety of those attending LAMDA exams in person?

We would like to encourage anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms to not attend an in-person LAMDA Exams.

Our examiners are also unable to travel internationally from the UK for the foreseeable future due to the impact of COVID-19 and we encourage the uptake of Remote Online Assessments.

We are also advising our examiners get tested 72 hours before attending exam events. And we encourage private centres to match our efforts and recommend that their staff members also get tested before the exam date.

• Measures include letting learners only bring one person to accompany them inside the building and not allowing early registration.
• Learners will now not be admitted into the venue more than 20 minutes before their exam time.
• We are also asking everyone to wash their hands or use the hand-sanitisers available, as soon as they arrive.
• Stewards will be on hand throughout the event to offer guidance and will stay two metres apart from visitors as they guide them around the building.

Do I need to wear a mask in my exam?
Mask-wearing is encouraged for everyone attending examinations when in corridors and waiting areas. Masks will need to be removed when learners are in the examination room to ensure they can be accurately assessed. Due to the examination Assessment Criteria, learners cannot wear face masks or visors during the assessment, as this hinders the Examiner’s ability to accurately assess performance techniques including vocal technique.

For group exams, no masks are to be worn for the actual exam, but social distancing from the Examiner is encouraged and the exam spaces must be well-ventilated. 

What exams are available for in-person assessment?
UK customers can enter learners for any LAMDA exam. Private Centres entering learners for Musical Theatre and Group exams will need to ensure they are able to provide a venue which meets (or exceeds) the following:

• Exams must take place in a room which is at least 5m x 5m and has good ventilation. This can either be natural ventilation (such as open windows) or mechanical ventilation (with air handling units that are set to fresh air).
• Examiners and any accompanists or technicians present in the exam room have the option of wearing a face visor during the exam.

These rules are based on current government guidance. If further guidelines are released, we may need to issue new instructions, or cancel exams. 

If you would prefer your learner to take their exam remotely, you can enter them at one of our online Public events. For details on what exams are available, see our online assessment list.

Are Group exams available?
We are continuing to offer Group exams for in-person assessment. Restrictions on group sizes have now been lifted, but customers will still need to meet the minimum and maximum group sizes applicable for the exam entered.

For those attending our Group exams, we are continuing to encourage mask-wearing and social distancing from the examiners.

• Learners must not face each other while performing. They must either face in the same direction, or away from one another.

• The room is well ventilated, either naturally (such as by opening a window) or mechanically (with an air handling unit set to fresh air).

• The examiner and any accompanist or technicians in the room have the option to wear a face visor. Learners should not wear visors or face coverings during their exam.

Due to technical challenges, we are also not able to offer Group exams online. Our exams team is working hard on a solution and will issue specific guidance to teachers and learners if online assessments are made available for Groups exams.

Got a question for LAMDA Exams?
Please email our examinations team if you have any queries on [email protected] and they will be happy to assist.

Notification of absence / sickness

• Let HR and your line manager know if you are unable to work due to illness.
• Although there will no longer be a legal obligation to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid-19, the government recommends you stay at home if you can and avoid contact with others. We would ask if you test positive, you let us know and that you stay at home until you are well enough to return.
• Let your line manager or HR know if you live in a high risk group, live with others at high risk, or have dependents who rely on you to be at home for particular hours.

The latest information for our visitors and audience members is available here and will be updated ahead of our next season of shows. 

View our Visit Us page here.