New Views is the National Theatre’s year-long playwriting programme for students aged 14–19.

 Each participating school is paired with a professional playwright who works directly with students to help them develop and write their own original short plays. A selection of these plays are chosen to be performed as rehearsed readings as part of the New Views Festival at the National Theatre, a unique and exciting opportunity for young writers to see their work brought to life in one of the UK's most prestigious venues.

What the programme offers:

1) For students:

• Expert guidance from a professional playwright, including in-school visits and individual feedback on their scripts.
• Development of foundational skills including working independently, receiving and implementing feedback, and articulating their ideas clearly.
• A space to express themselves creatively and explore the issues that matter most to them.
• Insight into real career paths within theatre and the wider creative industries.

2) For teachers:

• Mentoring from a professional playwright to support your own analysis and communication skills.
• Training from world-class artists and facilitators on giving feedback, creating inclusive environments, and using creativity to support examining challenging subjects.
• Access to a comprehensive suite of resources including schemes of work, planning tools, and digital materials to help you confidently plan and deliver the programme, and engage students both in and beyond the classroom.

Please note, both Drama and English teachers are eligible to lead on New Views. 

3) Live Theatre Experiences

Students also have the opportunity to attend performances of new writing through free theatre tickets. Where possible, we connect schools with local theatres that showcase new work. 

Cost & support:

The programme costs £300 for state schools and £600 for independent schools, with bursaries available for schools who may find cost a barrier to participation. 

Next steps: 

Applications for New Views 2025/26 are now open! If you’re interested in taking part, please apply through this link. 

The application deadline is Monday 9 June 2025 at 10am, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.