THE STANDARD joined district council chairman Coun Sam Evans as the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) Bromsgrove and Redditch opened at Lickey End First School.
We were given a tour of the impressive performing arts academy started by the Birds of a Feather star.
Sessions run for three hours on a Saturday from 9.45am to 1pm with opening and closing assemblies either side.
There are three groups each week – Green for six to nine-year-olds, Blue for those aged 10 to 13 and Red for 14 to 18-year-olds. Each one gets to do an hour of musical theatre, an hour of comedy and drama and an hour of film and TV.
Each of the sessions are led by industry experienced professionals with guests from the relevant medium also visiting to give different tips and insights. And participants can make new friends as well as learn new skills.
Vice Principal Ben Patefield and Principal Ariya Amin with Coun Sam Evans. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
Principal Ariya Amin said: “In reality, because schools are under pressure to deliver so much on the National Curriculum, there are some skills they either do not have time in school days to teach or not in as much depth.
“That is where we come in – we do have the time.”
Ariya added the new setting at Lickey End First School was perfect as the spaces both inside and out enabled the PQA to deliver what it wanted.
“If you have to work with letting agents, it can get complicated with a lot of red tape – but the school is perfect.”
And Lickey End headteacher Chris Burton is also delighted with the link-up.
He said: “When Ariya contacted us we jumped at the chance – PQA shares the same ethos and values as our school so it is a perfect fit and a great coup for Bromsgrove.
“We have the space and want to use the building as much as possible – not just during school days and term-time.
“It is important to me that Lickey End First School is not just here for its main purpose but also for the whole community to use.”
Lickey End is also an OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) school meaning it places more emphasis than most on the importance of children being outside for activities as often as possible.
In Comedy and Drama, PQA students will be working on a ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ project where a piece from The Bard will be performed outdoors where parents and other audience members enjoy a picnic whilst watching.
Musical Theatre
Young people learn a number of skills here, including acting through song and dance and about the importance of telling stories through those mediums. On our visit, groups were learning and performing a routine to ‘My Shot’ from hit musical Hamilton.
But it is not just on-stage attributes being taught – those preferring to be behind the scenes can learn about sound, lighting, choreography, producing and directing.
Members get to perform in in-house productions and some in the West End – an opportunity not many performers ever get.
Comedy and Drama
This module is the most varied – as well general acting skills, young people learn the differentials between acting on stage and on screen.
And they also learn skills in public debating, monologues and stand-up comedy.
On the opening day, participants were working in their groups on a section from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Film and TV
Here, young people were working on a short scenario whereby they were undertaking a daily activity and then were surprised by a situation.
Each one got to film the scene they created before the group watched it back.
In Film and TV, as well as acting and presenting in front of the camera, participants learn about story-boarding, shot decision making and everything else to do with the genre, including sound, lighting, props, costumes and design and even hair and make-up.
Poppets
PQA also runs Poppets from 10.15am to 11.45am for four to five-year-olds. The session gives children from a very young age their first taste of the performing arts.
And, every Saturday at 12.30pm, parents are free to go along and have a tour to see what is on offer with free taster sessions also available.
Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
Ariya added: “Everyone was absolutely buzzing after our first day – we are so happy in our new home.
“There was so much excitement this morning with children lining up ready at 9.30am.
“We all just could not wait to get going and it has been a fantastic start.”
Coun Evans, who was joined by the Worcestershire County Councillor for the area, Josh Robinson, said: “I have been blown away by the PQA.
“The range of talent here is impressive and incredible and the fact we have PQA to allow and enable that talent to flourish and grow is amazing.
“It’s a real asset to Bromsgrove and has the potential to put the town on the map.”
Visit: pqacademy.com/academies/redditch/ to book a free session.
