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Unique theatre school training in Acting, Singing & Dance

3 specialist tutors

3 hours of learning

A lifetime of transferable skills

Launched in January 2009, Prestwich quickly became our busiest school thanks to our fantastic staff, phenomenal children and parents while boasting a lovely friendly and raucous atmosphere. Located only 5 minutes from Prestwich village the school is sitauted at Prestwich Arts College which is currently undergoing refurbishment and is soon to be equipped with its very own theatre.

Saturday mornings
9.45 - 11.15am     (3 - 4yr olds)
9.45 - 1pm           (6 – 16yr olds)
11.30 - 1pm         (5 - 6yr olds)

Saturday afternoons
1.30 – 2.30 pm     (3 – 4 yr olds)
2.45 – 3.45pm      (4 – 5 yr olds)
1.45 – 5pm          (6 -16yr olds)

Staff
Our staff are recruited on expertise and experience, and are all trained and hold current enhanced CRBS. Most of our team work in the performing arts industry and come to us highly recommended.  We have regular meetings to plan, prepare and update on children’s needs and ways of learning to help us promote inclusivity and 'every child matters' policy. We also discuss shows, exams, opportunities and evaluate progress and action plan for improvements to the service we offer

Click on the images to view their profiles

Classes

Tiny's (4- 6 yr olds)

Your wonderful, expressive 4 - 6 year olds are introduced to theatre and performing in a safe, fun, energy-driven yet structured way of learning. Each week the Tiny's are taught in all three disciplines -  dance, drama and singing - in bite size chunks of 20 - 25 minutes each. They have a little break in the middle to have a snack and a drink, which the children seem to enjoy as much as the classes! Its their chance to express themselves with each other, identify with their peers and have a good old chit chat (they're like little old men and ladies nattering given half the chance). However, under the close supervision of their tutors they are encouraged to be individual and express them freely in a supportive forum. The tutors spend quality time getting to know the children and plan their sessions according to abilities, learning styles and what that particular group seem to enjoy. Confident in their teaching, the tutors at Footlights aim to let the children perform as often as possible, usually all sharing equal roles to promote teamwork and a sense of camaraderie from a young age. The Tiny’s are always part of the main school shows at Christmas and during the Summer, so you will regularly see your child perform.

Main School (6 - 16yr olds)

Drama
In Drama the children learn improvisation, comedy, scriptwriting, mime, verse , tv and film acting and theatre scripts, helping them to become confident well rounded young actors. Sarah has some great ideas in drama and manages to find a real balance between teaching an having fun, which is a real skill in itself. The children in her classes get to express themselves creatively and are encouraged in teamwork and relationship building as well as working towards performance, most of all they have lots and lots of fun and laughter.

Dance
Dance at Prestwich is a real all round experience as their male teacher Gary introduces to them all aspects of dance such as streetdance, ballet, jazz, musical theatre and contemporary. Gary feels that in dance children can learn to move as a form of expression, he encompasses this ethic into his work and the children get many opportunities to do some choreography. The children are energised in Gary'sclasses and both the girls and boys enjoy every second, he is a great role model to the boys and shows that dance is for everyone.

Singing
In singing the children learn harmony skills is well as solo and group singing and Amy really is brilliant at getting the very best out of the children, the way in which she nurtures the young voices and helps them to progress to belting a great sound out is truly sensational. Her lessons are very much focussed on inclusivity and she will give solos to the non singers to encourage her belief that everyone can sing! Amy is such a patient tutor and she has a distinct way of getting even the shyest child to sing without feeling embarrassed or isolated.

Facilities
We have very good facilities at Prestwich which will boast its very own theatre in the Summer 2010. We also have excellent parking facilities.

Directions

From M60/J17  take the exit Bury New Road toward Prestwich village you will pass Tesco on your right hand side. Keep going straight and you will come to Marks and Spencers on your left, at the lights turn left and then take your second right onto Heys Road. The school is about half a mile down on the left hand side, park in the car park and come to the main entrance where our delightful receptionist and team will meet you.

History
We started in Stretford in very humble beginnings at Stretford Grammar school in 2004. We soon built up an excellent reputation and moved to better facilities and more room to Lostock Arts College. We are currently in our 5th Year at Lostock Arts College, with a roll of over 70 children. We try not to turn anyone away, however places are limited at Prestwich so we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. We have had massive successes over the past 4 years producing some fantastic performances at festivals, theatres, as well as charity events and many of our students have also appeared on screen too. The right honourable Beverley Hughes (recent minister for children) commended us in the House of Commons for our work with special needs children.

Achievements
We have had so many great experiences over the past years, with many of our children appearing on tv , some have even appeared in film, one child even got to star with Johny Vegas!  Our successes are many and we do strive to keep everyone updated in our latest new section, however the best way to get a full view on the school is to subscribe to our FREE newsletter. In July 2009 the children and young people performed at the renowned 'Lowry Theatre' where they raised  £750 for a local cancer charity.  We also achieved 100% pass rate in our first year entering the prestigious LAMDA examinations, where one of our groups Footlights 1 (aged 6-8yr olds) all received Distinctions in musical theatre.