Our Story
The Young Performers Academy CIC · Peterborough
The Young Performers Academy (YPA) is a Community Interest Company based in Peterborough, UK, dedicated to providing world-class performing arts education to children and young people aged 5 to 18. We offer Saturday classes in musical theatre, stage acting, singing, and dance — all taught to a professional, West End-inspired standard.
Founded with the belief that every child deserves access to high-quality arts training regardless of their background, YPA operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. Any surplus we generate is reinvested directly into funded places, bursaries, and resources for our students.
We are registered with Ofsted, so you can be confident our standards of safety, care and teaching are independently recognised. This also means eligible families can use Tax Free Childcare and childcare vouchers towards our classes.
Our Saturday academy runs throughout the school term — 37 weeks a year — offering three age-group classes: Spotlight Stars for ages 5–8, Stagecraft Academy for ages 9–12, and Curtain Call Company for ages 12–18. Each class blends singing, dance, and acting into an integrated "triple threat" curriculum designed to develop confident, disciplined, and expressive young performers.
Beyond group classes, we offer one-to-one LAMDA coaching and private singing lessons for students who want to deepen their individual skills or prepare for exams and auditions. We also offer RSL Level 2 vocational qualifications for older students who are serious about a career in the performing arts.
Students work towards LAMDA and IDTA examinations and perform in regular showcases and productions, giving them real stage experience in front of live audiences.
YPA welcomes children of all abilities and backgrounds. Whether your child is a complete beginner taking their very first steps onto the stage, or an experienced young performer looking to refine their skills and gain recognised qualifications, we have a class that's right for them. We encourage every student to attend a free taster session so they can find the right fit before committing.
As a Community Interest Company, we hold a number of funded and reduced-fee places each term for families who need financial support. No child should miss out on a transformative experience simply because of cost.
YPA is led by a team of experienced, qualified performing arts educators. All staff hold relevant professional qualifications and are fully DBS-checked in line with our safeguarding policy. We are passionate about nurturing talent, building confidence, and creating an environment where every young performer can thrive.
Opening in September 2026, YPA is built on a commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the transformative power of the performing arts. We can't wait to welcome Peterborough's next generation of performers.