UK Performance Arts Schools: Should my child join one?
Does your child have a special ability in performance arts? Maybe they're the next biggest pop star, BAFTA winning actor, or born to dance on stage, well here's our guide on choosing the best performing arts school for your child.
What are performance arts, and why do they matter?
Most schools incorporate dance, drama, and art within their curriculum, often from years 7 to 9, with the opportunity to withdraw or continue these subjects as a GCSE option. In normal state schools, the subject is often overlooked, and the school's funding will go towards other facilities meaning opportunities for children whose passion for the arts are not always attended to, so if your child has a special interest in arts, or is a very creative individual, enrolling your child in a specialist performing arts school will definitely benefit your child’s mental growth.
Performing Arts helps students to be themselves and to be confident in their own skin. The abilities they acquire at a performing arts school are not only enjoyable and entertaining, but they also offer the experience and important life qualities such as confidence and discipline that will help them flourish in life. Having an extracurricular passion, such as the performing arts, gives them a platform to grow into self-assured, resilient, well-rounded individuals.
How to choose the right school for your child
There are no two performing arts schools alike. Some focus on classical music training, some on classical ballet, and yet others on drama and musical theatre. Some may serve as an agency and find professional jobs for their kids, while others will not support anything that takes their children out of school.
What is your child’s passion? Dance, Drama, Singing, behind the scenes stage work, art, are all the subjects a good performing arts school should offer. The best way to see for yourself is to... See for yourself! Get in touch with the prospective school and organize a visit. What are the facilities like? The teachers? The students?
What is the difference between normal state schools and performing arts schools?
They will follow the same curriculum, maths, English, etc., like all schools, but financing for specialized performance arts schools is more focused on growing your child's creative inclinations. An excellent performing school will have a large stage and auditorium, successful shows and performances, as well as skilled and inspirational teachers and, most importantly, happy pupils.
Being around people who share your passion has a significant impact on an individual's mental growth, making it much simpler to make friends and enjoy school. In comprehensive schools, where a child's confidence is still developing, it can be perceived as "embarrassing" to perform in front of the rest of their peers, discouraging students from doing things they enjoy and are passionate about for fear of "not fitting in."
If the idea of speciality schools overwhelms you, keep in mind that there are some excellent mainstream schools available that offer performing arts classes and school clubs. However, if that’s not a feasible option many independent dance and drama classes offer classes after school or on the weekends.
However, keep in mind that most specialized performing arts schools cannot give the same choice of academic topics as a traditional school; for example, only one language may be taught or not many sporting opportunities. Even while many speciality schools are known for their outstanding pastoral care, your kid will be expected to work hard and behave properly. They are being prepared for a highly competitive workplace in which professional standards will be expected from the outset.
It’s also worth mentioning that most performing arts schools are selective with limited space meaning your child may have to audition to gain a place at said school.
How do performing arts benefit my child?
Performance arts can open up a child's mind and heart. It's a creative and physical outlet where your child can tap into their inner talents and abilities, practice skills and techniques to excel and practice their craft at a fun, new level in a supportive, nurturing environment.
The majority of performers have become who they are through hours and hours of practice and devotion. Practice is frequently neglected and success is attributed to innate talent, but understanding persistence and self-worth enables youngsters to be confident as they move through life.
Children learn to speak effectively and connect intellectually and emotionally with others via the performing arts, they learn abilities like composure, attention, and overcoming fear via performance and repetition, which best prepares them for future presentations, communication, and leadership. Children gain discipline via performing arts since they must set aside time to practice their talents. A good school will educate kids to continually build new skills and abilities to improve their capabilities further. Auditions, job interviews, and work presentations can be frightening and intimidating, but performing teaches students to never give up and to believe in themselves.
According to a 2012 research, students who learn how to work independently via Performing Arts, honing their performance abilities, tend to do better overall in lessons and can have higher academic achievement.
Reading and performing music, for example, is commonly acknowledged to be connected to mathematics via counting, speed, and rhythmical patterns. According to a recent study conducted in the United States, children who engage in Performing Arts programmes are more likely to pursue highly intellectual topics such as advanced mathematics and to continue their education.
Dancing can undoubtedly make your child healthy and active in no time, but acting and singing may also burn off a lot of energy. This increased exercise can make a significant difference in the lives of certain kids. All types of performing arts help children to release whatever pent-up feelings they may have. Whatever is happening in their lives, they may express their rage and fury via their performance in a safe, non-critical atmosphere. Letting off steam in this manner is beneficial to their mental health since they will not be storing up feelings.
Conclusion
It's amazing how much talent there is out there for everyone to have, whether it’s singing, acting or dancing; where do we find the right school for our child? This is where we've compiled a list of the Top 5 UK Performing Arts Schools for your consideration. Most of these schools have great reputations, provide excellent facilities and have taught some of the biggest stars in the world.
There are not many specialist performing arts schools around the UK, with most being in London, and private schools, so it’s worth considering if your child is ready for this level of learning, not solely if they are talented or not. Most talented performers have to work extra hard to be the best, not the first. If your child is still quite young and still figuring out their passions, it’s always worth joining a local dance/drama club first, with the possibility of joining a performing arts school later on when they’re older or choosing a good performance arts college, or university that can offer them the same creative outlet.