Hello everyone! I hope you don?t mind me adding my thoughts on the discussion. I am a specialist drama & theatre arts teacher, Principal of 5 Stagecoach schools, and the mum of 5 year old twin girls. So I experience Stagecoach as a parent, teacher & school Principal. I wouldn?t ordinarily reply to such a discussion, but upon reading josiepoise's comments felt it crucial to respond.
JP's comments are incredibly personal and I feel should be taken with a pinch of salt. It would appear to me that she has some sort of axe to grind and there are many things that she writes about Stagecoach that are incorrect. If her experience is the truth it certainly shouldn?t be considered as the norm, so I'd like to provide another view if I may.
Firstly, Stagecoach do not just let 'anyone' run a school. There is a rigorous interview process and experience in education and the performing arts are essential before you're even considered for interview. Secondly, I am appalled that she was employed to teach without any experience working with children (this is an almost unheard of exception rather than the rule). All potential teachers have to submit a written application for a job, out-lining subject specialty, training, skills and experience - and also attend at least one interview. Once appointed the Principal works closely with them to ensure they are planning and developing their teaching as they should be. Stagecoach prides itself on the fact that every member of the team has a CRB check that is clean before they begin teaching. The students are the first priority, and they also have a very comprehensive Child Protection Policy in place. Alongside this, Stagecoach schools are inspected regularly by an external school Inspection Agency to ensure high standards, and provide parents with peace of mind that their child is experiencing the very best performing arts education.
It is true that Stagecoach do not have a strict set syllabus, as this approach can restrict the teachers from developing their own material and teaching strengths. There is though a strong framework in place for the teachers to work within. Each term also has its own aims and objectives to ensure the children continue to gain confidence and develop their skills in each discipline. The Principal is in-charge of overseeing the work and guiding the development of the curriculum each term. Again it is the extreme exception rather than the rule that a teacher should be told to just ?teach them some games?. JP is providing one opinion, and I would have to question her motivation in conducting a web search & posting this comment.
Stagecoach has over 700 schools providing professional teaching to now over 37,000 students in the UK & Ireland. JP?s one-off experience can not stand up against the number of children who return to their Stagecoach School term after term because of the valuable skills they learn, fun they have, friendships they forge & experience they gain each week. There is a reason why Stagecoach celebrated its 20th Birthday recently.
Finally, I?d just like to comment on the fact that Stagecoach Theatre Schools are not specifically for ?gifted and talented? children ? but for all children. We aim to build confidence, self-esteem and develop skills in all our students ? Training for life.
To find out more about the schools in your area please visit www.stagecoach.co.uk Many thanks for taking the time to read what I know is an extremely long post! It had to be written though. Best wishes for 2009 xx