Pupils chase showbiz dreams in school documentary
Danny FullbrookHertfordshire
Drummer Television/BBC
New CBBC show Stage Stars follows students at Tring Park School
The producer of a new CBBC documentary series about life at Tring Park School hopes the show will inspire young people to pursue their dreams.
Stage Stars, made by Bristol-based Drummer Television, creators of Gym Stars and Ice Stars, follows students at the Hertfordshire performing arts school.
Between September 2024 and July 2025 a small crew was based at the site to capture the highs and lows of the academic year.
Rachel Drummond-Hay, the programme’s executive producer, said: “This is to show kids what happens when you follow your dreams, work hard and see what you can achieve.”
“It’s set up as a performing arts school, a specialist school, so that people can really follow their dreams.
“There’s one boy in our first series, he goes in to compete in the world’s top ballet competition in the world. He’s the only UK person who gets into the finals.
“Through this series you see huge success, but you also see all the hard work and everything that goes into that.”
Drummer Television/BBC
The show will see students balance school life with building careers in the spotlight
Tring Park has a strong track record of success, with alumni including Dame Julie Andrews, Lily James, Daisy Ridley and Thandiwe Newton.
Current student Louie was in Year 10 when filming took place.
“It’s kind of crazy knowing that people have done the exact same as me and have really made it,” he said.
“I would say the school is different from other schools in the fact that everyone here is doing something that we all love.”
Drummer Television/BBC
Children can star attending the school from Year 3 up until sixth form
Staff and students credit the school’s unique structure for its success.
Each day is split between academic lessons and performing arts training such as acting, dance, musical theatre or music.
Places are limited and boarding fees from Year 7 are about £15,000 per term, though scholarships are available.
Louie specialises in music and hopes to one day represent the UK at Eurovision.
He said: “I think anything you set your mind to and you work hard for is definitely achievable.
“But I think being in a school where so many people are doing the same things as you, it really helps to make that dream feel more real.”
Drummer Television/BBC
The series is currently filming more episodes to air next year
Filming crews became part of the school community during production and are now working on the next series.
There is plenty to capture, from big auditions and band formations to hundreds of stage performances.
Director of studies, Elizabeth Odell, has watched as some former students, like Ella Henderson, have gone on to big success.
She said: “I think knowing that those people follow this path, they were at the school, they were in these rooms, they were attending those lessons, and they have achieved their goals, is inspiring.
“I’ve worked here for a long time, seeing people like Ella Henderson grow up and have an amazing successful career. I’m really proud. I’m really proud that I had this tiniest part in that journey.
“Seeing young people do what they love… It’s a privilege to work with people that are talented, ambitious, and driven to follow their goals.”
