Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Newcastle
BEST FOR
Ages 4-18
WHERE
Newcastle upon Tyne
What it’s like
Weekly drama, singing and dance classes in Newcastle for kids aged 4 to 18, split into age groups from Poppets up to Red Group teens.
This is a weekly performing arts academy rather than a one-off day out. Poppets, for ages 4 to 6, get a 90 minute session of singing, dancing and acting on a Sunday morning. Main Academy, for ages 6 to 18, runs a longer three hour session split into two Sunday slots, and students are grouped by age under colour names: Green for 6 to 9, Blue for 10 to 12, Red for 13 to 18.
Across the term your child works through comedy and drama, musical theatre, and film and television classes, building towards a termly showcase, sometimes in a local theatre or cinema. No audition is needed to join, and the academy is upfront that talent or previous experience isn't a requirement.
The cost is the thing to weigh up properly. It's a monthly membership rather than pay-per-class, £47 for Poppets and £94 for Main Academy, with a 25% discount if you're enrolling siblings. You pay through the summer holidays too, even when the academy isn't running, which keeps your child's place secure but stings a bit if you weren't expecting it. There's a minimum two month commitment and four weeks notice to leave, so it's worth being sure before you sign up rather than after the first session.
There's a free trial if there's space in the right age group, which is the sensible way to test whether your child actually wants three hours of Sunday drama every week or just fancied the idea of it. If the group's full you go on a waiting list. One thing to flag: there's no 1:1 support for children with additional access needs, though the site says the Principal will talk through how they can help.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 4 to 18, with separate Poppets sessions for the younger end
- Booking
- Free trial session available. Minimum 2-month membership with 4 weeks notice to cancel
- Worth knowing
- 25% sibling discount in Main Academy
- Membership runs a minimum of two months, with four weeks notice needed to cancel
- You keep paying monthly through summer holidays even when sessions pause
- Sibling discount brings Main Academy down to £70.50 a month per child
- Places are limited by age group, so waiting lists happen when a group is full
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Poppets (ages 4 to 6) is £47 a month. Main Academy (ages 6 to 18) is £94 a month, or £70.50 for siblings. It's paid monthly by Direct Debit, including through the summer holidays.
Can we try it before committing?
There's a free trial session as long as there's space in your child's age group. If the group's full you go on a waiting list instead.
What age groups are there?
Poppets covers ages 4 to 6. Main Academy splits by age into Green Group (6 to 9), Blue Group (10 to 12) and Red Group (13 to 18).
How long are the sessions?
Poppets sessions run 90 minutes. Main Academy sessions run three hours, split into two Sunday slots.
Does my child need previous experience or an audition?
No audition is needed and no prior experience is expected. Everyone is welcome regardless of talent or background.
Is there support for children with additional needs?
There's no 1:1 support available, but the Principal will discuss how the academy can best support your child.
Can we pay with tax-free childcare vouchers?
Only Direct Debit membership payments are accepted.
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