The Hammond

What The Hammond does

The Hammond is a specialist performing arts institution headquartered at Hoole Bank House in Chester, England, founded in 1917 by Miss Irene Hammond and operated by The Hammond Limited — a private limited company (Company No. 838325) and registered charity (Charity No. 1022427) incorporating the Betty Hassall Foundation. The school delivers a vertically integrated educational pathway spanning School (ages 11–16), College (16–18), and a BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance degree validated by the University of Chester, with around 76 employees. Core product lines comprise School Dance, School Acting & Musical Theatre, College Acting & Performance (Level 3 Extended RSL Diploma), two Level 6 Trinity Diplomas in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, the BA (Hons) degree, boarding accommodation, and a Summer School programme; all products are accredited by bodies including Trinity College London, CDMT, RAD, ISTD, and inspected by ISI.

The business model is a tuition-driven subscription model billed per term (or annually for the degree), with a non-refundable £160 registration fee, tiered refundable deposits (£350 UK / £1,500 EU / £3,500 international), and a non-fee audition policy designed to maximise applicant conversion. Termly fees range from £5,260 (College Acting & Performance) to £7,600 (School Dance), with boarding at £3,590/term and the BA fee pegged to the UK government cap. Revenue is supplemented by government MDS (School Dance) and DaDA (Professional Diplomas) scholarships, CEA funding for Forces families, and ancillary performance/summer school income. Customer acquisition is event-driven: open days, experience days, public performances, alumni referrals, and audition-based admissions with no geographic restriction for international students, supported by UKVI Student Sponsor status.

Name

The Hammond

Legal name

The Hammond Limited

Website

https://thehammond.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Hammond is a 108-year-old specialist performing arts school in Chester, UK, delivering integrated School (11–16), College (16–18), and BA (Hons) training in dance, acting, and musical theatre to young performers seeking vocational industry entry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Performance Coaching & Competition Preparation (Auditions, Recitals) (EDAMANAL)

Keywords

• Performing arts education
• Vocational dance training
• Musical theatre programmes
• Drama school preparation
• Specialist performing arts school

Headquarters

HQ city

Chester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. School Tuition - Dance: Full-time dance education for students aged 11-16, charged per term. Covers academic books, stationery, academic examination fees, and lunches for school students.
2. School Tuition - Acting & Musical Theatre: Full-time acting and musical theatre education for students aged 11-16, charged per term.
3. College Tuition - Acting & Performance: Full-time acting and performance education for students aged 16-18, charged per term.
4. College Tuition - Professional Diplomas: Level 6 Trinity Diplomas in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre for students aged 16+, charged per term.
5. Degree Tuition - BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance: BA degree program in partnership with University of Chester, with tuition fees set at government fee cap level for UK students (subject to parliamentary approval).
6. Boarding Fees: Residential accommodation for students, charged per term. Includes full boarding provision.
7. Registration Fee: Non-refundable registration fee of £160 charged to secure a place after successful audition. Subject to VAT.
8. Refunable Deposits: Refundable deposits collected with first term's fees: UK pupils £350, EU pupils £1,500, International pupils £3,500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Hammond is a specialist performing arts institution providing full-time vocational training in dance, acting, and musical theatre for students aged 11 through degree level, alongside academic education. Core offerings include the School: Dance (11-16) and School: Acting & Musical Theatre (11-16) programmes, the College: Acting & Performance (16-18) Extended RSL Diploma, two Level 6 Trinity Professional Diplomas in Dance and Musical Theatre, and a BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance degree validated by the University of Chester. Boarding is offered for Years 7-11 students, and an annual Summer School provides additional intensive training.

Product overview

The Hammond is a specialist performing arts institution offering a unified educational journey across School (11-16), College (16-18), and Degree levels. The core portfolio comprises two school programmes (Dance, and Acting & Musical Theatre), two college acting/musical theatre pathways (Acting & Performance, and two Professional Diplomas in Dance and Musical Theatre), one BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance degree, plus boarding accommodation and summer school programmes. Students progress through integrated academic and vocational training combining dance, acting, and musical theatre disciplines with performance opportunities, masterclasses, and industry preparation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School: Dance (11-16) Full-time intensive dance training for students aged 11-16, covering classical technique, RAD ballet, ISTD tap and modern syllabus, jazz, commercial, tap, contemporary, and choreography, delivered alongside the academic curriculum. Termly fee of £7,600 for Years 7-11.
• School: Acting & Musical Theatre (11-16) Vocational training in Acting for Stage & Screen and Musical Theatre Performance for Years 7-11, including classes in acting, improvisation, voice, movement, singing, dance, and musicianship alongside academic education. Termly fee of £5,535.
• College: Acting & Performance (16-18) Two-year full-time Level 3 course preparing students for acting careers through rigorous practical training in acting technique, voice, movement, text work, devising, screen acting, and performance, working towards Extended RSL Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts with elective pathways in Musical Theatre or Stage & Screen. Termly fee of £5,260.
• College: Professional Diploma Dance (16+) Three-year full-time Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Professional Dance, designed to develop exceptional versatile performers through intensive training in classical ballet, pointe work, jazz, tap, contemporary, commercial dance, choreography, and ensemble singing. Termly fee of £7,360.
• College: Professional Diploma Musical Theatre (16+) Three-year full-time Trinity Level 6 Professional Diploma in Musical Theatre providing intensive training in dance, singing, and acting through integrated musical theatre work, ensemble projects, and performance opportunities. Termly fee of £7,360.
• BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance Three-year degree programme validated by the University of Chester, designed to develop singing, acting, and dance technique with a focus on integrating all disciplines through classes, workshops, lectures, and industry preparation. Tuition fee £9,790 per annum for 2026/27 (UK government fee cap). UCAS course code T649, institution code C55; eligible for UK Student Loan funding.
• Boarding & Accommodation Full boarding provision for School students (Years 7-11) providing a home-from-home environment with professional boarding staff, activities, and meals, supporting the academic and vocational training schedule. Termly fee of £3,590.
• Summer School Intensive high-level training programme designed for young performers passionate about developing their craft, held annually in summer (Summer School 2026: 27 July - 7 August 2026).

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% drama school placement rate for current Acting & Performance cohort at institutions including Arts Ed, Mountview, GSA, Central School of Speech and Drama, Trinity Laban, and Leeds Conservatoire.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• University of ChestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDegree programme validated by University of Chester. The BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance is awarded by the university and eligible for Student Loan funding for English students. Students graduate with a University of Chester degree.
• Trinity College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLevel 6 Trinity Diplomas in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre are accredited by Trinity College London. Graduates may progress to BA (Hons) Professional Practice developed in association with Trinity College London.
• Middlesex UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduates of Level 6 Trinity Diplomas may progress to BA (Hons) Professional Practice, a work-based part-time distance learning degree awarded by Middlesex University in association with Trinity College London.
• Music and Dance Scheme (MDS)coreOthersGovernment-funded programme providing means-tested financial support for exceptionally talented young dancers. MDS places available for School Dance Course (Years 7-11). Limited places (approximately 10 per year group) awarded based on audition performance.
• Dance and Drama Awards (DaDAs)coreOthersGovernment scholarship scheme for exceptionally talented performing arts students at leading vocational providers. Available to Professional Diploma Dance (16+) and Professional Diploma Musical Theatre (16+) students only. Means-tested awards allocated based on audition scores.
• Society of HeadsminorOthersThe Hammond is accredited by the Society of Heads, a professional association for independent school leaders.
• Council for Dance Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)coreOthersThe Professional Diplomas in Dance and Musical Theatre are accredited by CDMT in addition to Trinity College London validation.
• British Safety Council (BSC)minorOthersThe school is a member of the British Safety Council (BSA), a professional body for health, safety, and environmental management.
• Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)minorOthersThe school is subject to inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), a government-approved inspectorate for independent schools.
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)minorOthersThe school acts as a Student Sponsor under UKVI regulations, issuing CAS for international students and conducting ongoing compliance monitoring including attendance tracking and visa status verification.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts: London conservatoire offering degree-level training in acting, musical theatre, and performance. Comparable to The Hammond's BA pathway, with similar graduate placement rates and West End industry connections; primarily a higher-education focused institution.
• Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts: Long-established UK performing arts school offering training from junior levels through degree in acting, dance, and musical theatre. Comparable heritage and integrated pathway model to The Hammond, with similar audition-based admissions and industry-aligned curriculum.
• Tring Park School for the Performing Arts: Independent boarding school offering specialist training in dance, acting, musical theatre, and music for ages 7-19. Closest direct competitor to The Hammond, offering a similar integrated academic + vocational performing arts model with boarding and a comparable fee structure.
• Elmhurst Ballet School: UK specialist performing arts school offering intensive dance training from ages 11-19 with boarding provision. Directly comparable to The Hammond's School Dance programme, with similar audition-based admissions, MDS funding eligibility, and progression routes to professional dance careers.
• Laine Theatre Arts: UK specialist performing arts college offering professional diplomas in dance, musical theatre, and commercial dance. Comparable to The Hammond's Trinity Level 6 Diploma programmes with similar focus on industry-ready performer training.
• ArtsEd (Arts Educational Schools London): London-based performing arts school offering training across dance, acting, and musical theatre from secondary through degree level. Comparable to The Hammond for college and degree-level provision, particularly musical theatre, with a strong drama school placement record.
• Bird College: UK vocational performing arts college offering further education and degree-level programmes in dance, musical theatre, and performing arts. Directly comparable to The Hammond's College Diploma and BA pathways with similar Trinity and university-validated qualifications.

Others

• Central School of Speech and Drama: Member institution of the University of London offering conservatoire-level training in acting and performance. Functions as a progression destination for The Hammond's Acting & Performance cohort rather than a direct competitor at school level; relevant as comparable for degree-level theatre training.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Ballet School: Pre-eminent UK ballet training institution with Lower and Upper School programmes and associate network. Comparable to The Hammond's dance pathway at the highest tier; significantly larger in scale and brand prestige but serves a narrower dance-only focus.
• Leeds Conservatoire: Higher education institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across performing arts disciplines. Comparable to The Hammond's degree-level provision, with Acting & Performance alumni gaining places there; serves as both peer and progression destination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ba.hamfam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thehammond

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hammond