Creative Arts Academies

Drama Academy

The Drama Academy works in partnership with the National Theatre via NT Connections.  Last year they had the opportunity to work with Associate Directors of the National Theatre, professional Directors, Actors, Stage Managers and Arts Administrators and Managers from both the National Theatre and the Gulbenkian Theatre. 

Each year the school produces 3 major performances and the Drama Academy makes a big contribution to each of them.

The Drama Academy runs for 2 evenings a week from 3.20pm to 5.00pm. It will run more frequently for rehearsal time when a performance is approaching.  It is a popular academy, usually around 80 students audition for 25 places.

Mr McCrea is a professional Director and Actor, holding the CESI International Award for Best Direction of an adult theatre piece and multiple appearances as an actor on stage and in television and film.  Working with Mr McCrea the students will develop confidence, vocal ability, physical ability and courage.

Regardless of their starting point, in the Drama Academy the students will have the opportunity to be the best that they can be whilst learning transferable skills that will prove useful for the rest of their lives.

MUSIC Academy

The Music Academy programme enables students to work in partnership with professional music practitioners throughout the year. It is directed by Kayleigh Stevens-Keatley who is an experienced Director of Musical Theatre as well as being a professional Vocalist herself. Students develop a range of performance skills through singing as part of the Music Academy Choir.

Opportunities such as Voice in A Million, Carol Singing in the community and participating in the major school productions are scheduled throughout the academic year. Students have also performed in local music festivals over the last few years.  All students in the Music Academy receive free paired tuition on an instrument of their choice with one of our experienced peripatetic tutors.