This year’s summer PQA challenge invites your child to create a short video journal that captures their summer experience, big moments, small joys, personal reflections, or new adventures.
Across Pauline Quirke Academies nationwide, wellbeing and mindfulness is echoed into our five main pillars of wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Essentially, our students care for themselves and others with care and kindness and embrace new experiences.
Our summer challenge isn’t about having the best camera or editing software…it’s about honest storytelling. Journaling through video helps young people connect with their thoughts and emotions, and we’re excited to see how this comes to life on screen!
This competition is open to all young people aged 6–18, whether you're part of PQA or not. We encourage entries from across the UK and welcome all levels of experience, from aspiring directors to first-time filmmakers.
Download the competition guide by using the link below and read through the whole document before getting started!
Choose how you are going to present your video: Films should have one main filmmaker, and the main filmmaker should be the person the film is about. Your film can be live action, animated, or a combination of both. Ensure your film contains a voiceover spoken by you (the filmmaker). You must give your film a title, for example, “Why I Dance”. Films do not require credits, but if you choose to, you must only include your first name.
Create a short video journal between 30 and 60 seconds long.
Parents/guardians should include the following in their email: the first name of the filmmaker, their age (this will not be made public), and the location of the academy they attend if they are a PQA student (this information does not impact the judges and is collected for internal engagement monitoring purposes only).
Submit your film to filmandtv@pqacademy.com by a parent/guardian and before the deadline of 31st August 2025.
Click here to find our Terms and Conditions.
Click here to download the Storyboard Template.
Click here to find the Summer of Me competition guide.
We’ll be selecting two overall winners:
One in the 12 and under category
One in the 13 - 18 category
Each winner will receive a £100 voucher and have their film screened at the PQA Film Festival 2025, taking place in Sheffield and London this November.
We’ll also be awarding four runner-up prizes, each receiving a £20 cinema voucher for a cinema of their choice.
All winning films will be showcased at the festival, with recipients invited to attend a special award ceremony to receive their prizes on stage.
We offer a free taster session where your child can explore our three exciting classes: Film & TV, Musical Theatre, and Comedy & Drama.
Book your free session today and watch your child grow in self-belief, unlock their creativity, and discover themselves along the way.
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.