On Thursday 27th March, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sarah Esdaille, an alumna from Class of 1988, as part of our speaker’s program for current Year 12 students. Sarah shared her career journey since leaving FHS, offering valuable insights into her experiences as a television and theatre director. With a particular passion for collaboration, she spoke about the importance of working closely with actors to achieve powerful performances.

A notable alumna, Sarah was the first House Captain of Woolf House, a house she had the honour of naming. She reflected fondly on her time at FHS and how it shaped her creative path.

Sarah also spoke about her transition from theatre into television, describing it as an exciting opportunity to explore a new form of storytelling. She emphasised that the greatest joy of her working life has been the relationships she has built with writers, actors, and designers.

Following her talk, Year 12 students had the opportunity to ask Sarah thoughtful and engaging questions, making for a lively and inspiring discussion.

Here is what Selma, a Year 12 student had to say about the Speaker’s Programme: “We had the pleasure of hearing from Sarah Esdaille, a director of both theatre and television, who spoke to our Sixth Form about the contrasts between the two industries. She described how theatre allows for a slower, more in depth rehearsal process, while television demands quick decisions and rapid adaptability, a challenge she initially struggled with. However, she explained how this shift ultimately made her more efficient, even helping her manage the fast paced demands of parenting”.

Her story was a valuable reminder of how stepping outside our comfort zones can lead to unexpected growth. Learning to embrace new challenges, even when difficult at first, is a skill that applies far beyond the creative industries, making her insights both inspiring and relevant to us all.

Thank you to everyone who attended. Stay tuned for more news about our upcoming Speaker’s Programme. If you are interested in becoming a guest speaker, please email

alumni@fsh-sw1.org.uk.