Stagecoach Performing Arts Derby

"Our 7 years old daughter wanted to start drama despite being very shy and we thought that a drama school would help her. After checking online, it seemed like Stage coach was the best choice in Derby. A franchise, good reviews generally,... However, our daughter was very very quiet and not very happy each time after a stage coach session. I'm a professional musician and I know the pleasure and fun that should results from those type of classes. We realised very quickly that our daughter was sitting on her own. We tried to talk to the manager asking if it would be possible to help her to socialise even more. We had a big smile and the assurance that it would be done. However, we quickly realised tha nothing was done. As I said, I work in that area and I know the headteacher of a stagecoach school in an other city and she told me that she would never put her kids in stage coach Derby because they privilege kids with a natural talent and seems to not really look after others who are a bit more shy. Last session our daughter had, she was chewing her sleeves all afternoon after that. We decided to take off. We send an email before half term saying that we didnt wanted to carry on. We didn't recieved one response. Not a word!! Like they didn't even care at all! I'm teaching piano myself and when someone stops their lesson, when they contact me to let me know, I always reply. In some cases I like to know why the person stops as it is always a valuable information. Now let's talk about the show that my daughter did. It wasn't great. At the most it has the value of a school show. They were all wearing the stagecoach t-shirt, no costumes, not even any sets on the background. It seems like the show was something they had to do because it is a drama school more than a real conviction. If your child doesn't have a natural ability they just don't care, I think they are looking for easy work, as it is easier to lead a child who has natural ability. As I said, I'm a piano teacher and my job is to teach piano and try to reach the best of all my students regarding their age and natural ability or not. We have now registered our daughter to a smaller drama school but runs by a very kind and passionate woman. It is like an other world! Our daughter has gained in confidence, she is a lot more involved in the show she is preparing. There is a real cohesion between the children. The kids are building up the sets for their show, they are involved into making their own costumes. It is a smaller school but a lot more alive than stage coach Derby! And cheaper and we don't HAVE to buy the t-shirt. The headteacher of stage coach finally replied to us, asking for her money for the end of the term. Not a word about our daughter! Not even a question, I'm not even sure she remembers her name, she has been there for a term and a half! For me it is a drama school with no passion, more a childcare axed around drama. For that price you really expect more commitment and passion form the teachers. I don't recommend the school unless your are looking for a school with no passion."

"By far the best school we've been to. It's given my children some great friends, confidence & necessary skills needed to get into acting & drama. I would whole heartedly recommend these classes to any parents thinking of giving it a go. Can't wait to see the next performance."

"Amazing"