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Young Performers Academy

2026 - 2027

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Central Film School is delighted to announce the launch of the Young Performers Academy, an exciting new Saturday programme for young people aged 7–15 who are passionate about creativity, performance, storytelling, and developing confidence.

The programme is led by acclaimed performer, educator, and director Sharon Sexton, and offers a unique approach to performance that combines the development of creativity and confidence with the development of acting craft. We have designed a curriculum to help young people develop the human skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

The Central Film School campus oozes creative arts. It was once an old Victorian music hall and the former location of Italia Conti performing arts school. Now converted and repurposed to give our young students the best facilities and resources to embark on their journey in the screen industries.

Course details: Young Performers Academy

Age groups:

Junior Academy (Ages 7–9) 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Inter Academy (Ages 10–12) 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Senior Academy (Ages 13–15) 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

All classes take place on Saturdays

Term dates:

Term 1: 18th September 2026 - 21st November 2026 (Half-term: 31st October)

Term 2: 28th November 2026 - 27th February 2027 (Christmas holidays: 12th December - 9th January / Half-term: 20th February 2027)

Term 3: 6th Mar 2027 - 5th June 2027 (Easter holidays: 20th March 2027 - 17th April 2027 / Half-term 29th May 2027)

Fees:

One-off registration fee: £25

Core classes term 1: £265.50

Core classes term 2: £295

Core classes term 3: £295

Optional classes: £130 per class

Concessions:

Sibling discount: 20% discount for each additional child from the same family

Uniform:

Our young performers will be required to purchase and wear the YPA uniform during their course of study.

Location:

Central Film School,

72 Landor Road, London,

SW9 9PH,

United Kingdom

Nearest station: Clapham North underground (Northern Line), Clapham High Street overground (Windrush Line), and within walking distance of Stockwell (Victoria Line).

Thinking of enrolling your child?

Email YPA@centralfilmschool.com to register your interest or fill out our enquiry form.

Core Classes

CLASS 1: CREATIVE DRAMA

This class focuses on imagination, confidence-building, teamwork, and communication in a fun, supportive environment. Each student’s voice is valued, and sessions are designed to encourage them to develop friendships, explore their critical thinking, and express themselves freely. Students will explore:

• Improvisation and devising

• Storytelling and creative thinking

• Stagecraft fundamentals

• Character exploration

• Problem-solving and collaboration

• Confidence and presentation skills

CLASS 2: Acting

The skills developed in our Creative Drama classes provide a strong foundation for life and naturally lead to a progression into acting. Through practical workshops using scenes and scripts from Shakespeare to contemporary theatre and film, students will explore the techniques that bring stories and characters to life, developing skills in:• Script analysis

• Scene study

• Acting for the camera

• Shakespeare / classical text

• Contemporary drama • Character development

• Audition technique

Sharon Sexton

The Young Performers Academy is led by Sharon Sexton, an award-winning West End performer, director, highly qualified arts educator and vocal specialist with more than 25 years’ professional experience.

Sharon holds a BA (Hons) in Speech & Drama, an MA in Theatre Directing, and an Advanced Professional Diploma in Singing Teaching, alongside specialist qualifications in vocal health and rehabilitation. Her extensive career in arts education has included positions as Head of Singing, Head of Musical Theatre, and Head of Speech & Drama, as well as establishing and leading performing arts programmes across the UK and Ireland. She is also a tutor with The Voice College London and regularly teaches at leading performing arts institutions across the UK and Europe.

Alongside her work in education, Sharon has an extensive international performance career, including Sloane in Bat Out of Hell, Donna in MAMMA MIA!, Billy Elliot, The Commitments, A Night with Janis Joplin, and The Karate Kid – The Musical.

Speech & Drama

Alongside the core programme, students may choose to enrol in optional specialist classes with limited availability.

Speech & Drama (LAMDA)

Small group classes have been designed to develop confident communication, clear and articulate speech, expressive vocal skills, and presentation techniques through engaging work with poetry, prose, storytelling, and performance. Students can work towards nationally recognised LAMDA performance examinations in:

• Verse & Prose

• Public speaking

• Acting Singing Performance

Singing

(LAMDA) Small-group singing classes

have been designed to develop healthy vocal technique, musicianship, musical interpretation, and performance skills, while preparing students for optional nationally recognised LAMDA Singing examinations.

• Musical theatre

Exams are not mandatory, and students are entered for examinations only when they are ready and at the level most appropriate to their individual abilities and experience. Examination fees are not included in term fees.

Performance Opportunities

Students will work towards two major performance events each year & one optional performance exam.

Winter Presentation
An informal in-house sharing of work at Central Film School in December.

Summer Showcase
An end-of-year performance celebrating the achievements of all students.

YPA will also host industry professional tutors to lead core classes, as well as additional
workshops & masterclasses throughout the year.

Optional LAMDA GROUP ACTING Exam
Students will have the opportunity to participate in an optional group LAMDA Performance examination in Term 2.