LOCATIONS
At APA, we believe that children's drama classes, dance classes and singing lessons should be held in appropriate, safe, modern facilities that help to facilitate students progression in the performing arts. We have scoured the county to secure the best local venues, enabling our students to train in purpose-built studios and perform in fully equipped theatres.
Every Academy of Performing Arts school offers "Main School" sessions for students aged 7-17 who have a passion for the performing arts. Divided by age into three 'Companies' the students all receive an age-appropriate, one hour drama class, one hour dance class and a one hour singing lesson in every session. We work towards two staged performances a year, one 'Assessment' performance at Easter and an end of year extravaganza at Christmas!
For those younger performers, we offer a Young Academy performing arts session for 5-7 year olds. Young Academy sessions comprise of a half hour drama class, a half hour dance class and a half hour singing lesson. This offers the perfect, fun-filled introduction to performing arts training and gives a good insight into the joys and challenges that our drama schools offer. Like the Main School, our Young Academy students work towards two staged performances a year
Once they reach the age of 7, our Young Academy stage school students become eligible for "Main School" sessions. Available Main School places will be offered to existing Young Academy students before those on the waiting list but students will only make the switch when they feel happy, confident and ready to make the move. Several of our Young Academy students remain in the shorter session until they are eight or nine years old... we will never put pressure on them to move up until they feel ready to do so. This is very much part of the ethos of APA, we never ask students to do anything that they don't feel comfortable with doing. Our students train in a safe and supportive environment that allows them to grow and develop at their own pace and to work at their creative best.
Currently, the Academy offers it's uniquely structured training and high quality classes in acting, singing and dance for 5-17 year olds at these locations in Bedfordshire.
-
Wootton Academy, Bedfordshire
Wootton Academy
The Wootton Academy of Performing Arts is based at Wootton Upper School, Wootton, Bedfordshire.
Location Details
Wootton is a large village located to the south-west of Bedford, in North Bedfordshire and has good links to Bedford and the M1. Wootton Upper School is one of the foremost performing arts schools in the country and is located on Hall End Road, Wootton, Bedfordshire. Wootton Academy of Performing Arts students are drawn from several towns and villages around Wootton including Bedford, Biddenham, Bromham, Cranfield, Kempston, Stewartby, Marston Moretaine, Oakley, Apmthill, Flitwick, Houghton Conquest and Elstow.
Venue and Facility Details
Wootton Upper School has a long establised performing arts status and with this comes facilities to rival any drama school in the country. The purpose built performance facilities of Wootton Upper School allow Wootton Academy of Performing Arts students to make the absolute most of their hour long singing, acting and dance classes. The facilites include:
- A professional dance studio with sprung floors and mirrored walls
- State of the art singing studios with performance space
- An adjoining, fully equipped recording studio
- Two level, black box, studio theatre
- 250 seat main auditorium
These facilities give the singing, acting and dance teachers the opportunity to make the very most of their classes and draw the best performances possible out of Wootton Academy students
Session Times
The Wootton Academy of Performing Arts holds three stage school sessions at Wootton Upper School each week.
Wootton Friday School
Main School SessionsThe Friday School of the Wootton Academy of Performing Arts, runs its Main School session every Friday of term time from 5:00pm - 8:00pm. This children's stage school session is open to 7 - 17 year olds and offers dance classes, drama classes and singing lessons for young people wishing to train in the performing arts.
Wootton Saturday Schools
Main School SessionsThe Saturday School of the Wootton Academy of Performing Arts runs to Main School sessions every Saturday of term time from 10:00am - 1:00pm (morning school) & 2:30pm - 5:30pm (afternoon school).
Young Academy SessionsThe Wootton Saturday School also offers two Young Academy sessions on every Saturday of term time from 9:30am - 11:00am (morning school) & 2:00pm - 3:30pm (afternoon school). These children's stage school sessions are open to 5 - 7 year olds and offer dance classes, drama classes and singing lessons in three, half hour sessions.
-
Oakley Academy, Bedfordshire
Oakley Academy
The Oakley Academy of Performing Arts is based at Lincroft Middle School, Oakley, Bedfordshire.
Location Details
Oakley is a village located in northern Bedfordshire, England, about four miles north west of the country town of Bedford. The school can be found on Station Road, Oakley, Bedfordshire. Oakley Academy attracts students from far and wide, its main catchment area including Sharnbrook, Harrold, Carlton, Turvey, Lavendon, Wootton, Bedford, Bromham, Clapham and Biddenham.
Venue and Facility Details
Lincroft Middle School, Oakley, has recently been awarded an Arts Council gold award and since receiving such prestigious arts status, it has undergone a huge transformation. The school now provides:
- An impressive black box drama studio
- An excellently equipped music class
- A performance hall with full theatrical lighting and retractable seating
All these facilities are available to Oakley Academy of Performing Arts students and help our highly-trained professional staff ensure that every Academy session (consisting of a one hour dance class, a one hour drama class and a one hour singing class) is as productive as possible.
Session Times
Main School SessionsThe Oakley Academy of Performing Arts offers a Main School session on every Saturday of term time from 10:00am - 1:00pm. The children's stage school session is open to 7 - 17 year olds and offers dance classes, drama classes and singing lessons for young people who wish to train in the performing arts.
Young Academy SessionsThe Oakley Academy of Performing Arts also offers a Young Academy session on every Saturday of term time from 9:00am - 10:30am. This children's stage school session is open to 5 - 7 year olds and offers dance classes, drama classes and singing lessons in three, half hour blocks.