London Screen Academy
London Screen Academy is a free sixth form academy in Islington, London, delivering film and TV education to students aged 16–18 across Level 3 specialist pathways and Level 4 professional diplomas, with work placements and ring-fenced traineeships at major studios.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersIslington, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What London Screen Academy does
London Screen Academy (LSA) is a free sixth form academy based in Islington, London, delivering film and television education to students aged 16–18. Founded in 2018 as part of the Day One Trust, it offers a two-year UAL Level 3 Diploma across four specialist pathways (Technical, Craft, Production Management, Post Production) equivalent to three A-Levels, plus one-year Level 4 professional diplomas in Film Production and Creative Enterprise as a university alternative. The core academic offering is delivered on-site at a purpose-built facility (Ladbroke House) equipped with industry-standard cameras, lighting, sound, editing, and grading kit, and is augmented by weekly masterclasses from working professionals, work experience placements on active productions, and a five-month mentoring programme.
The business model combines regulated government funding (Department for Education core curriculum grants) with approximately £1,500,000 raised annually by the Screen Academy Foundation through donations from a founder-aligned donor base that includes Working Title Films, EON Productions, and David Heyman. Education is free to all students, with travel bursaries, free iPads, and subsidised meals funded philanthropically. The institution's commercial moat rests on an unusually senior roster of co-founders and governors from the UK film industry, an Ofsted Outstanding rating (May 2023), and an ecosystem of 30+ industry partners offering ring-fenced traineeships and masterclasses. GTM is sales-led through structured online applications supplemented by targeted school outreach to underrepresented backgrounds, with industry masterclass events doubling as marketing channels.
Strategically, LSA targets UK screen-industry skills shortages and the diversity gap (only 3% of the workforce from underrepresented ethnic groups) by training a pipeline of entry-level practitioners — runners, trainees, apprentices and assistants — for major studios including A24, NBCUniversal, Sony, BBC, ITV, Warner Bros. Discovery, Industrial Light & Magic, and Working Title Films.
London Screen Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- London Screen Academy
- Legal name
- London Screen Academy
- Website
- https://lsa.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- London Screen Academy is a free sixth form academy in Islington, London, delivering film and TV education to students aged 16–18 across Level 3 specialist pathways and Level 4 professional diplomas, with work placements and ring-fenced traineeships at major studios.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
London Screen Academy industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)
Keywords
Where London Screen Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Islington
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
London Screen Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Funding: As a sixth form academy, LSA receives core curriculum funding from the Department for Education. This covers basic operational costs but not additional programmes.
- Donations and Fundraising: The Screen Academy Foundation raises approximately £1,500,000 annually through donations to supplement government funding. This covers industry engagement, mental health services, cultural trips, travel bursaries, meals, equipment, and IT.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free education for all students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
London Screen Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
London Screen Academy is a free sixth form academy for students aged 16-18 that delivers film and television production training. It offers UAL-accredited Level 3 (two-year) and Level 4 (one-year) diploma programmes across specialist pathways (Production Management, Craft, Technical, Post Production, Creative Enterprise), supplemented by industry masterclasses, work experience placements, and a Careers & Alumni Programme with ring-fenced traineeships at major studios.
Product overview
London Screen Academy is a free sixth form academy for students aged 16-18 seeking careers in the Film and TV industries. The institution offers a unified educational programme comprising Level 3 (two-year UAL Diploma, equivalent to 3 A-Levels) with four specialist pathways (Technical, Craft, Production Management, Post Production), and Level 4 (one-year professional diplomas in Film Production or Creative Enterprise) for 18-year-olds as a university alternative. These core academic products are supplemented by integrated industry access services including compulsory weekly masterclasses with industry professionals, exclusive work experience placements, a five-month industry mentoring programme, and a comprehensive Careers & Alumni Programme with ring-fenced traineeships at major studios. Additional offerings include the LSAx Enrichment Programme, SEND Industry Support, Equity Diversity & Inclusion Groups, Outreach Services to schools, and comprehensive student financial support. The institution holds Ofsted Outstanding status and is part of the Day One Trust.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use London Screen Academy
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
London Screen Academy technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
London Screen Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BBC StudioscoreBBC Studios collaborated with LSA to design the LSA Pledge, which provides students with behaviour guidelines and professional development expectations. This partnership ensures curriculum alignment with industry standards.
- NBCUniversalcoreL4 Creative Enterprise students work on live projects for NBCUniversal's Creative Impact Lab. Students produce promotional videos for social enterprises as part of the programme, gaining real-world client experience.
- A24coreA24 participates in LSA Traineeships, an exclusive entry-level position programme for LSA graduates. Paid roles require no previous experience and serve as a gateway to careers in film.
- Sony PicturescoreSony participates in LSA Traineeships, offering exclusive entry-level positions for LSA graduates in film production companies.
- NeverlandminorNeverland agency participates in LSA Traineeships, offering exclusive entry-level positions for LSA graduates.
- ARRI Camera HouseminorStudents gain work experience access to ARRI Camera House, one of the leading kit rental facilities, providing insight into professional workflows and equipment.
- Day One TrustcoreLSA is part of the Day One Trust, a multi-academy trust. The trust provides governance, policies, and some centralised services. Some policies are set for the whole trust including LSA.
- BBCcoreBBC employs LSA alumni and participates in industry events. Alumni are working for BBC as part of the creative workforce.
- Industrial Light & MagiccoreIndustrial Light & Magic (ILM) employs LSA alumni in VFX and related roles.
- ITV StudioscoreITV Studios participates in LSA industry events and employs alumni.
- Working Title FilmscoreFounders Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner co-chair Working Title Films. Alumni have been placed as Office Runners at Working Title.
- Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreWarner Bros. Discovery employs LSA alumni and participated in industry events.
- Goldcrest FilmsminorGoldcrest Films employs LSA alumni in post-production and related roles.
- PanavisionminorPanavision participates in LSA's Future You careers fair and provides industry exposure for students.
- All3 MediaminorAll3 Media participates in LSA's Future You careers fair and industry events.
- AmazonminorAmazon participated in LSA's Future You careers fair, exposing students to employment opportunities.
- ScreenSkillscoreLSA references ScreenSkills job profiles for career information. Curriculum designed to address industry skills shortages identified by industry bodies.
- LSA Industry PanelcoreA collective of experienced professionals from across creative industries who provide ongoing insight and guidance to support curriculum development. Members include Asim Chaudhry and other working professionals.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
London Screen Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts: UK performing arts conservatoire offering degree programmes in acting, musical theatre, and performance making. Comparable specialist creative arts training institution serving students transitioning into screen and stage careers.
- BRIT School: UK state-funded performing and creative arts school for ages 14-19 in Croydon. Closest comparable free, selective sixth form with creative arts specialism including film, media, and performing arts pathways.
- MetFilm School: UK-based film school operating from Ealing Studios and other locations, offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in filmmaking, screenwriting, and post-production. Comparable industry-focused curriculum model with strong employer placement track record.
- Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts: UK performing arts school offering training from age 10 through professional level in acting, dance, and musical theatre. Comparable selective performing arts training model serving school-age students seeking creative industry careers.
- London Film School: UK specialist film school in Covent Garden offering MA Filmmaking, Screenwriting, and related programmes. Comparable focus on practical, industry-aligned film education with similar international cohort and alumni in working film roles.
- London Film Academy: UK film school offering diploma and degree programmes in filmmaking, cinematography, and production. Closely comparable specialist vocational training model with similar fee structure and industry placement focus.
- Sylvia Young Theatre School: UK part-time performing arts school for school-age children focused on acting, dance, and singing. Comparable selective school-age creative arts training model with strong alumni placement in entertainment industries.
- National Film and Television School (NFTS): UK's primary specialist postgraduate film school, offering MA programmes across directing, cinematography, editing, and production. Most directly comparable specialist film institution in the UK, although LSA targets pre-university Level 3/4 students while NFTS operates at postgraduate level.
Regional players
- BIMM University: UK creative industries higher education institution offering degrees in film, music, performing arts, and gaming across multiple UK and European campuses. Comparable specialist creative education model with broader scope across entertainment disciplines.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA): UK's leading drama conservatoire offering undergraduate and postgraduate actor training. Broader performing arts incumbent that overlaps with LSA's creative industry mission at the post-secondary stage rather than sixth form.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
London Screen Academy social profiles
Digital presenceLondon Screen Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
London Screen Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
London Screen Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
London Screen Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about London Screen Academy
What does London Screen Academy do?
London Screen Academy is a free sixth form academy for students aged 16-18 that delivers film and television production training. It offers UAL-accredited Level 3 (two-year) and Level 4 (one-year) diploma programmes across specialist pathways (Production Management, Craft, Technical, Post Production, Creative Enterprise), supplemented by industry masterclasses, work experience placements, and a Careers & Alumni Programme with ring-fenced traineeships at major studios.
Is London Screen Academy a public or private company?
London Screen Academy is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was London Screen Academy founded?
London Screen Academy was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is London Screen Academy based?
London Screen Academy is headquartered in Islington, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does London Screen Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising.
Who are London Screen Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, BRIT School, MetFilm School, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, London Film School, London Film Academy, Sylvia Young Theatre School and National Film and Television School (NFTS). BIMM University is listed as a regional player. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does London Screen Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for London Screen Academy.
What industry is London Screen Academy in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAGAE, Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater), with a secondary code of EDAIAIAC, Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.