NFTS to Open Fully Accessible Accommodation for Disabled Students | UK Film & TV School Boosts Inclusion

For years, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) stood as a beacon for aspiring filmmakers and television professionals. But for physically disabled students, that beacon was often dimmed by a significant barrier: a lack of accessible accommodation and a campus riddled with physical obstacles. That’s changing, with the school poised to open a recent, purpose-built accessible accommodation facility in January 2027, alongside a bursary to cover living costs for eligible students.

The move comes as the industry grapples with a stark underrepresentation of disabled people. According to recent figures from Ofcom, just 12% of TV employees are disabled, compared to 18% in the broader UK labour market. The NFTS recognizes that addressing this disparity requires more than just on-screen representation; it demands a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment from the extremely beginning of a filmmaker’s education.

The new accommodation, housed within The Cubby Broccoli Building – named in honour of the late James Bond producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli – will offer nine fully accessible rooms designed to support a range of physical access requirements. This development directly addresses a long-standing challenge for disabled students studying in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, where the NFTS is located.

“Often disabled people are having to choose between studying at a world class institution like this or not studying at all,” says Hamish Thompson, NFTS disability advocate. “That talent then gets wasted. This will open a huge amount of doors for disabled people into an industry that has traditionally not welcomed them.”

The commitment to accessibility extends beyond accommodation. A recent audit of the NFTS campus revealed 200 inaccessible areas within the historic site, formerly Beaconsfield Film Studios. The school aims to eliminate these barriers by the time The Cubby Broccoli Building opens its doors. This comprehensive overhaul demonstrates a proactive approach to creating a truly inclusive learning environment.

The initiative is underpinned by £10 million in government funding, matched by private investment. This financial support has also enabled the launch of a new Accessible Living Bursary, designed to remove financial barriers alongside physical ones. The bursary will cover both reasonable adjustments and rent, allowing eligible students to live on site at no additional cost.

The NFTS’s efforts are a direct response to growing calls for greater inclusion within the industry. Writer Jack Thorne, in his influential 2021 McTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Awards, delivered a powerful critique of the industry’s track record on disability inclusion, describing it as the “forgotten diversity.” Thorne argued that disabled people were being systematically failed by a system that lacked both representation and access.

Since Thorne’s lecture, the NFTS has demonstrably stepped up its efforts. The school has seen a significant increase in the number of students with disabilities entering its programs, rising from 15% of MA entrants in 2021 to 26% in 2025, and from 18% to 28% of diploma students. This positive trend suggests that the school’s commitment to accessibility is already attracting a more diverse pool of talent.

Thorne, speaking to the Guardian, acknowledged the progress made since his call to action. “The improvement has been vast thanks to the generosity of the broadcast sector,” he said, noting that data tracking disabled representation is trending upwards and that disabled writers are increasingly being given opportunities to inform their own stories. Still, he cautioned that “we still are nowhere near representative,” and emphasized the need for continued effort to achieve full inclusion by 2030.

The NFTS’s director, Jon Wardle, believes that investing in diverse talent is not only ethically right but also strategically sound. The school receives industry funding to “identify people and de-risk them,” recognizing that film and television production is an expensive undertaking. Wardle points out that the NFTS already “outstrips the industry” on inclusion and diversity, with 33% of its graduates coming from underrepresented backgrounds – more than double the industry average.

Wardle also expressed a desire to expand the school’s reach beyond its Buckinghamshire campus, with plans to establish a presence in Scotland and Leeds. He acknowledges that the industry can sometimes prioritize diversity less when facing economic pressures, but remains optimistic about the commitment of its partners to finding and nurturing great talent from all backgrounds.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy echoed this sentiment, stating that the government’s investment reflects the belief that “talent is everywhere in this country, opportunity is not.” She emphasized that the UK can only “remain a creative powerhouse” by ensuring that everyone has the chance to contribute their skills and creativity.

The NFTS’s initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the systemic barriers that have historically excluded disabled people from the film and television industry. By prioritizing accessibility and financial support, the school is not only creating a more inclusive learning environment but also paving the way for a more diverse and representative industry as a whole. It’s a move that acknowledges that true creative innovation thrives when all voices are heard and all talents are nurtured.