Stagecoach Braintree at Notley High School
For the last 10 years Notley High School has been the venue for Braintree’s Stagecoach Theatre School. The school runs on Thursdays after school and Saturday mornings in term time, for children from 4 to 18. Offering classes in the three theatre disciplines, Acting, Dancing and Singing, Stagecoach is the perfect after school club for those with an interest in the arts.
We spoke to Julie Berridge, who is Principal of the school and she told us ‘Stagecoach is a very welcoming place for children who love theatre or love the ‘thought’ of theatre and are not sure how to get involved. Our school offers three hours of fun – singing, acting, and dancing on either a Saturday morning or after school on Thursdays. Students are split into appropriate age groups and experience an hour of each discipline, in a fun but hard-working environment. We also work on our own productions, which gives the children the chance to enjoy live theatre and understand what it is like to be live on a stage with a ‘real’ audience. Our children have produced many great musicals over the years, ‘Annie,’ ‘Six,’ ‘Shrek,’ ‘Oliver’ to name a few. Currently the schools are working on their end of term productions of ‘Grease’ and ‘Hairspray’ and exciting time for all.
Our school is not about who is the most talented, instead it is about getting everyone to take part, to boost children’s confidence and for them to find that person inside. A real opportunity to make new friends with a common interest. We are open to all and very inclusive. We are always on the lookout for new children to join our school and any new enquiries are welcome’
As part of our agreement with Stagecoach Braintree, they have kindly offered a scholarship to Notley High School for one lucky pupil to attend the Spring 12-week Term January to March. This pupil will win a place at Stagecoach Braintree, on either a Thursday after school or on Saturday morning.
The drama department will nominate children who are eligible for this free place and then the place will be awarded on merits at the end of the Autumn term.