Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week invites us all to reflect on the spaces where young people feel safe, supported and truly themselves. This year’s theme, ‘This is my place’, couldn’t align more naturally with what we champion at PQA. Every week, parents and students tell us that their local academy feels like their place, a space where they can grow in confidence, express themselves freely and feel part of an inclusive, creative community.
It’s why our motto, “Be Yourself, Be Amazing,” sits at the heart of everything we do.
Supporting young people’s wellbeing isn’t an add‑on at PQA, it’s woven into our learning approach nationwide. Across all academies, we champion five key pillars of wellbeing:
Connect
Be Active
Take Notice
Keep Learning
Give
These principles help shape our sessions, our culture and the way we nurture every student. We also encourage mindfulness practices to help young people build awareness, manage emotions and feel grounded in their creativity.
This year’s national theme echoes our own campaign: Find Your…
At PQA, students tell us time and time again that they’ve:
Found Their Voice: through monologues, screen acting, singing and speaking up with confidence.
Found Their Place: in a community that celebrates individuality and encourages teamwork.
Found Themselves: discovering new passions, new skills and new possibilities for their future.
Every child’s journey is different. Some fall in love with comedy and slapstick, others thrive behind the camera, and many discover strengths they never knew they had. What they all share is a sense of belonging, and that stays with them long after they leave the academy.
Real stories from our families show just how powerful that sense of place can be. These are all comments taken from our PQA official Facebook and Instagram Accounts.
“My daughter performed at Across the Line at His Majesty’s Theatre with PQA Colchester last year and loved every minute of it. Such good memories, she loves going every week and can’t wait for the next show in November.” World Teachers’ Day 2025
“My son is part of the PQA Bath family and has been for the last 2.5 years, and he loves it. It's his favourite place to be. He would love it if he could go every day.” PQA 18 Years Post 2025
“PQA is such an inclusive group, and my son has learnt so much. His confidence has grown so much.” World Teachers’ Day 2025
“My daughter started with little to no confidence and struggled being in big crowds, but in the two years she has soared and had some amazing experiences.” Buddy System 2025
“My daughter is at the academy and loves it. She got filmmaker of the week last week. It's really helped her confidence, especially as she's doing other tuition and GCSEs in music, piano & singing lessons” PQA 18 Years Post 2025
“Highlight of my year.” West End Post 2025
“As an ORIGINAL PQA’er, it’s amazing to see it grow from only 2-3 academies to the 256 today. PQA will always be a big part of my memories and life, as it gave me a voice, and it made me who I am today.” PQA 18 Years Post 2025
“My granddaughter can’t wait to get back to PQA in September; she absolutely loves it. Also, just saying the teachers have brought out her shyness” What do our amazing teachers love about teaching at PQA Post 2025
At PQA, we believe every young person deserves a place where they feel seen, valued and encouraged to be their authentic selves. This Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re proud to celebrate the spaces our academies create, places where children feel safe, supported and a place they choose each week.
For so many of our students, PQA isn’t just a weekend or after-school performing arts academy they attend; it’s their place. A place where they find their voice, their community and a sense of belonging without ever feeling the need to ‘fit in’. It’s a place where they find themselves.
Yes! Every academy offers one free trial session, as long as there is space available in the age group. If the group is currently full, you can join the waiting list, and we’ll contact you as soon as a place becomes available.
PQA runs for 41 weeks throughout the school year. You can find the full list of term dates on each academy’s webpage, just search for your local academy and visit its web page.
PQA provides performing arts training for children and teens aged 4–18. Our Main Academy (ages 6–18) includes three core classes:
Some academies also offer Poppets (ages 4–6), an energetic 90-minute class introducing young children to singing, dancing and acting.
PQA welcomes all children, whether they’re complete beginners or already confident performers. There’s no audition needed to join.
At PQA students in Main Academy are grouped by age, learning with other children and young people at similar stages.
This depends on where you feel your child will be happiest. Some 6-year olds are ready to join the 6-9 age group in Main Academy, others will feel more comfortable starting in Poppets.
Your always welcome to discuss what’s best for your child with your local Principal before booking your free session.