Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after the 2 week trial?

We hope your child has enjoyed their first two weeks with us. This is to give them an opportunity to experience Stagecoach before they fully commit. If they have had a wonderful time and are looking to continue, please let us know and we will provide you with an invoice for the balance of your fees. If they have decided that Stagecoach is not the right fit for them, no problem at all. We love that they tried it - we just ask that you send us a note to let us know you are not continuing so we can offer your spot to another family.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding their experience at Stagecoach, please let us know before you give up on us! There is almost nothing we can’t fix… or try very hard to. We are here to ensure your child has the very best performing arts experience possible!

Early Stages / Main Stages / Further Stages? What does that mean?

At Stagecoach we offer 3 different performing arts programs for 3 different age groups.

Early Stages is for students aged 4-6. They do 90 minutes of singing, dancing and acting a week with one teacher and an assistant. This is a wonderful way to introduce our youngest students to the world of the performing arts in a safe and supportive way. The focus on basic performing arts skills as well as valuable life skills such as sharing and listening.

They then progress to the Main Stages which offers 3 hours of classes every week, they will spend an hour in dance, an hour in drama and an hour in voice each class with specialised teachers. Once in Main Stages they will be assigned to age and stage appropriate groups. Your child will be in a Stage 1, Stage 2 or a Stage 3 class. 

Our Further Stages program is specifically designed for teenagers (14+) who share a passion for performing arts. Each term they take on new challenges and will be mentored to take their singing, dancing and acting skills to a higher level. Through in-depth training and master classes, our Further Stages Students will dive deeper into the performing arts, honing their stagecraft and performance skills through a variety of mediums and will also prepare for film, theatre and vocational drama school auditions.

When does my child move to the next stage?

We typically group our students by age in our Stages.  At the start of each term we meet as a teaching team and evaluate our classes and students and decide if they are ready to move up or if they should stay in the stage that they are in. Sometimes a child may be ready to move up skills wise but is not ready emotionally to manage a more complicated work load or a child may be ready in age but may not have the skills to keep up with a more advanced stage. We are focused on ensuring that your children are appropriately challenged each week while also ensuring that they are learning and performing at a level that will not overwhelm them. 

If at any time you feel like your child is ready for the next step, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss it. Please keep in mind that your child may spend 1-3 years in each stage. That is a normal progression for Stagecoach.

Do we have to bring a packed lunch? A snack?

Early Stages students have 5 minutes for a break and Main Stages take 10 minutes for a break. A nut-free snack and a drink (water) is all that is required. For our late afternoon schools we break around 6:00 each evening so if you want to pack a more significant snack, that is OK. 

Do we have to buy Stagecoach Uniform and why?

The branded T-shirt is compulsory to be worn with black joggers/leggings. We wear the uniform to promote inclusion, solidarity and so that our students feel like they are part of a team, a cast and a company. 

Dance or Jazz shoes are strongly advised, plimsolls are OK.  This is so they can move correctly and safely, and the teachers can see the shape of their feet. Trainers/ boots/ crocs are not acceptable and they will be asked to remove them, especially in dance. 

You wouldn't sign your child up for hockey and send them without a team jersey, helmet or skates... At Stagecoach we take the safety and security of our students very seriously and to avoid injury, proper dance shoes are required. 

When do we get to see something? End of term presentations?

We understand that performing is a big part of the fun here at Stagecoach! 

Autumn Term is usually our demonstration term where we may work to a theme or toward a specific skill and showcase it to the parents. Our Spring Term is our Skills term where we bring in special guests and work on specific skills!

Our Summer Term is our larger scale show term (script and costume). We only have 10 weeks to produce an entire show so it is all hands on deck! We ask that you help your child learn lines, songs and occasionally may be asked to contribute to parts of their costume, usually the base (top and bottom) so it fits comfortably. Sometimes you may be encouraged to make something. 

Presentations are usually the penultimate week of term for Early Stages and the last week for Main Stages. If you and your child will not be attending on these dates, let us know as soon as you can so we can creatively work around a cast member missing! This does not mean your child will have nothing to do all term if you know you can’t do a show day. We will always keep them busy and give them something to do!

Peeking in class/ Feedback/ Reports?

Many wonder if you can stay, spend the session with us and watch your child as they progress. Unfortunately, due to our strict child protection policies, this is not allowed.  Please also remember it is not just your child in there. We encourage the students to express themselves and be creative in class - this is hard with an audience of strangers and/or family watching you when they are at the stage where they should be open to get things wrong and try things out. We would prefer to show you when they are ready and proud of what they have created. 

You are absolutely welcome to speak to us at pick up to ask how your child is doing. Our management team visits each class several times every week and can also offer their opinion. In the Spring term, we prepare more official reports on the progress and potential of your child and of course, there is always Parents Do Stagecoach!

How can we stay informed on what's going on?

We try lots of different ways to keep in touch with you. This website is one way and our start of term newsletter is another method. Please make sure we have your up to date email address, mobile number and any other contact number in case of emergency. We also update Facebook and Instagram every week of what we’re doing and anything you need to know so please ‘like’ and 'follow' the page. You will also find any updates on holidays, snow days, show times, etc on the main page of this portal.

Can we stay forever?

Yes! Once you sign up with us, that place is yours for life. We have students with us from the age of 4 up until they are 19, and then they keep coming back for more as assistants and now teachers. I will assume you are coming back term after term unless you tell me of your intention to move on. And I reiterate, if you are unhappy about something, please let me know so I can fix it. If I expect you back after a break, and you don’t return, that is a place that I can’t offer to anyone else.

Anything I missed? Please do ask. Or text 07539627971 or email halifax@stagecoach.co.uk

Alex & The Stagecoach Team