Advertising Feature: Step Into Your Spotlight

Friday, 4 August 2023 09:00

By Robert Veitch

The performing arts industry has never offered so many opportunities for careers and for fun, as Robert Veitch discovered when he met Florence Tingley from the Pauline Quirke Academy, ahead of the launch of the new Haywards Heath Academy.

Florence Tingley’s effervescent personality and positive mindset were infectious as she enthused about her new venture – the launch of The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in Haywards Heath.

Florence started dancing aged three and enjoyed drama and dance throughout her schooling. She attained ISTD and IDTA Ballroom and Latin dance qualifications, and competed for a decade at regional, national and international level. She even performed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, so beloved by Strictly Come Dancing competitors. Florence earned a First Class BA Honours in Drama with Psychology at Bath Spa University, plus an Outstanding Achievement in Drama Award. More recently, she took a postgraduate certificate in education at the University of Sussex, gaining her qualified teacher status with distinction. Florence is keen to pass on her knowledge to a new generation of untapped talent. “I love working with children, I’m passionate about teaching and helping others attain their goals.”

Pauline Quirke of Birds of a Feather fame began her acting career during childhood, but it was as the long-suffering Sharon Theodopolopodous that she became well known to television viewers during the 1990s. Pauline opened her first academy in 2007, having struggled to find an, ‘all round’ performing arts school for her son. Now there are 200 academies nationwide and Florence’s patch covers Mid Sussex.

Open to students aged 6-18 year olds from 9:30am to 12:45pm on Saturday mornings throughout the school year, each academy covers three weekly modules and enables students to gain a broad and detailed understanding of: Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre, and Film & Television. Each module is wide-ranging and thorough, on both the performance and production sides.
The academy also runs a 90-minute weekly Poppets class for 4 and 5 year olds.

All new students are ‘buddied up’ with an existing student to help them settle in, “because the welfare of students is paramount,” noted Florence. The ratio of students to teachers is about 10:1 which offers the tutor plenty of time to interact with every student. “We always warm up and cool down as one big group,” revealed Florence. “There are awards for the performer and film-maker of the week as well, because we want to have the opportunity to make every student feel special.”

PQA differs from other performing arts schools because they cover the entire performing arts industry. Principals, DBS checked teachers and industry experts undertake the teaching, adapting tuition and some master classes to suit the needs and talents of students. Students undertake RSL qualifications and there is regular tutor feedback with Creative Stage reports. “It’s the quality of teaching and breadth of the modules that set us apart,” said Florence. “We encourage teamwork. We educate students about industry pitfalls. We build confidence and resilience, we help overcome shyness, teach empathy, and encourage creative thinking.”

For those eyeing a career in the performing arts, the in-house Quirky Kidz Talent Agency promotes flair in all fields and represents the students.
There are annual performances in local theatres and West End opportunities every four years. “The show week experience is something else,” Florence recalled with zeal. “It’s just the best possible feeling when it all comes together.” There are local cinema screenings for Film & Television students to showcase their productions in front of an audience. Each year, the best films from academies across the country attend an annual red carpet film festival in Leicester Square.

Florence’s career with Pauline Quirke started at university in 2018 when she enrolled as a teaching assistant. She’s since taught all the modules but Comedy & Drama remains her favourite. Having relocated back to her hometown, Florence has been vice-principal and managing principal at PQA Brighton. Now she has seized the chance to launch her own academy. “If you live in Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Hassocks, Henfield, Uckfield and all areas in between, then we are here for you.”

Haywards Heath opens on 16th September with an opportunity for 4 to 18 year-old children to come along with their parents and have a go for free, have some fun, learn some fundamental skills, meet Florence and have the chance to win a free term. “I’m raring to go, very excited and looking forward to launch day,” she revealed. “For some children, it’s the fun of it, for others it might be a career path, but nurturing them and seeing a smile at the end of a session makes it all worthwhile.”

With Florence being a shining example of what the PQA offers, your child is sure to become an increasingly positive, confident, empathetic young adult, in possession of a life enhancing skill set, thanks to the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts.

PQA Haywards Heath
Warden Park Secondary Academy, Broad Street, Cuckfield RH17 5DP
07479 630861
florence.tingley@pqacademy.com
www.pqacademy.com

Advertising Feature: Step Into Your Spotlight

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