Welcome to Stagecoach Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury
With over 700 theatre schools and more than 40,000 students worldwide, Stagecoach is the UK's largest network of part time performing arts schools for children. Since our inception in 1988, our drama classes, dance classes and singing classes have helped to build the confidence of many thousands of children, as well as providing a springboard for some of the country's leading young performers.
Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Every student participates in all three performing arts disciplines - drama classes, dance classes and singing classes - helping to develop confidence, physical awareness, communication and articulation - as well as being educational and lots of fun!
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Early Stages } Children Aged 4 - 6 Years
Early Stages classes run alongside the main Stagecoach schools, for children aged 4-6 years.
The Early Stages class is split up into three 30 minute sessions, lasting 90 minutes
in total. The class sizes are kept small to enable every child to get the most from the skills learned.
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Main School } Children Aged 6 - 18 Years
Our Main Schools, which are suitable for kids aged 6-18 years, run every week during term time at the weekends and evenings. Split into groups of similar age ranges each group rotate, where they learn an hour of acting, an hour of drama and an hour of dance. Groups are trained by experienced teachers, who are professional choreographers, performers, directors or musicians.
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Quality Training in a Safe Environment
All our teachers are DBS (formerly CRB) checked so children and teenagers can work in a safe and protected environment. Fees work out at approx £9 per hour, which offers outstanding value for money for quality performing arts training, small class sizes, exams, medals, performances, magazine subscription and the many other extras that are offered by Stagecoach.
Class Locations
Blandford School
Milldown Rd
Blandford Forum
Dorset
DT11 7SQ
Trinity Centre
6 Bimport
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 8BW
Class Times »
Why choose Stagecoach Performing Arts Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury ?
Staff
It is a strict policy of the school to employ only experienced teaching staff, many of whom are professionals
in their own right. All staff members are screened through the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB)
for their suitability to work with children. Stagecoach is also dedicated to developing its staff
through one day workshops and in-service teaching courses.
Child Protection
Stagecoach has led the way in developing measures to secure the safety of students and is often
quoted as an example of Best Practice by specialists in the child protection arena. Stagecoach retains
the services of Steve Lowe, a leading child protection expert, who advises and implements the company’s child
protection protocols.
Discipline
Since a career in the performing arts is best attained through strict self-discipline, Stagecoach teaches its
students in a structured environment and encourages disciplined behaviour. Stagecoach reserves the right to
dismiss students who are consistently disruptive. Students are also expected to attend regularly and arrive on time
for class.
Inspections
Stagecoach prides itself in giving the best possible tuition and in order to monitor and maintain this high
standard, all Stagecoach schools are inspected at least once a year. This is carried out by an independent
School Inspection Agency.
Reports
Parents are kept in touch with a student’s progress by way of an individual written report. Provided
once per annum, each teacher and the Principal gives feedback on the development of every child.
Medals
Stagecoach does not reward natural talent and ability, believing this to be a given gift, but rather acknowledges
effort and perseverance. Medals and awards are presented to students for long attendance, who have attended
Stagecoach in excess of three years. Also every school presents one annual award to a student for exceptional
progress or achievement.
Examinations
Whilst it is not Stagecoach policy to conform to a strict syllabus, classwork covers many recognised board
requirements and students may be entered for the Performance Arts Awards, Group Musical Theatre
examinations and LAMDA Speech and Acting examinations.
Uniform
The Stagecoach uniform is compulsory and a stock of inexpensive clothing, bearing
the school’s logo, is available for purchase. Jazz shoes are also compulsory
and can be purchased directly from the school.