Stagecoach

Also prepared for our information packs

It is always of interest to know what other people think of something which is a new concept to yourself.  Our parents and students have kindly sent comments to us across many years about what Stagecoach has meant to them.  You can see these on our website http://www.darlingtonandyarm.co.uk/ in the CATEGORIES box under `testimonials`. But here are a few recent ones for now:-

Parents have asked me about Stagecoach and I said that Stagecoach is the best thing we have ever done and it has given M….. the confidence she has today. (Mrs Pa… Darlington)

All in all, Stagecoach has played a vital role in helping A…. achieve her dream of training at a top London drama school, in the hope of one day realising her dream of performing in the West End.  Mrs R (Yarm)

It is impossible to put into words how much my years at Stagecoach have shaped me and changed me for the better.  I have never had a dull moment …and I have had some of the best moments in my life   Matthew L (Yarm)

Stagecoach has been my life. Forget school. I wanted to go to Stagecoach! I have made friends for life. The manners and confidence made me the person I am today.  Hayley M (Yarm and Darlington)

I can`t really remember anything that I`ve enjoyed and looked forward to so much, for so long. Nick B (Yarm)

Stagecoach is a safe, nurturing environment and I can`t think of a child who wouldn`t benefit from this. Mrs B (Darlington)

A…. has come on so much since starting Stagecoach, he’s a different boy! I think Stagecoach is the best thing that I have ever done for both of my children. Mrs J (Yarm)

C…… is so loving his time at Stagecoach and thinks all your teachers are excellent. We continue to be really impressed with the whole set-up. Mrs W (Yarm)

Stagecoach  is a very happy place which is the most  important thing, but all the children are very committed, something you have  instilled in them.  Mrs Pe.. (Darlington)

Children really do benefit enormously from attending Stagecoach & they have so much fun. Mrs Br… (Darlington)

M…. has made some good friends at Stagecoach and can’t wait to get there each week. She goes in with a grin and comes out with an even bigger one! Mrs D (Darlington)

I have  been preparing a testimonial sheet to go into my information packs and thought that I should upload it to the website for existing students and their parents to see. Here is the side that deals with inspection reports.

One of my Stagecoach schools is inspected, at random, each term. The Inspection Team is independent of Stagecoach and is therefore impartial. The inspector`s arrival is unannounced and therefore provides the most reliable kind of feedback because we cannot put on a “show for the inspectors”. What they see is a normal week in action. Many of the inspectors that we see, are Ofsted inspectors during the week, so they know what they are looking for. I have been very proud of how positive has been their reactions to Our Yarm and Darlington  schools.

I was particularly flattered when Jean Harding, the lead inspector of the Inspection Service, said that she had been reading a succession of excellent reports from my schools for years and had to come and see our Yarm AM school, in action, for herself. At the end of the morning, she was very enthusiastic in her appraisal of what she had seen. I quote from her report on the Yarm Early Stages class:-

“A delightful class. Students learn well and behave well as a result of the very good teaching. The principal, teacher and helper work very well together, as a result the children enjoy their practice for the show.”

Of the Yarm AM Main school she chose to call the teaching “Outstanding” and said that “the inculcation of creativity is a strength of this school. The teaching is organised and creative. Students respond accordingly and acquire not only very good skills but a `feel` for performance.”

In her summary, she said “This is a super school. Students display a wide range of well-developed integrated skills and also have great fun. They are very well behaved because they are so focussed. Fabulous range of genre. Students LOVE coming.”

This was a particularly pleasing report because Jean is such a senior inspector, with many years of experience to call upon.

Other Inspection Comments on all schools in recent years have included:-

I was impressed by the professionalism of the principal and teachers and the high standard of skills of the students.” V.Munnich 21.01.10 (Darlington Thursday school)

A confident, lively atmosphere is very apparent in this school, where creativity and the involvement of all students is so well encouraged, especially for the shy students. All the staff are very well-prepared and professional M Walker 15.10.11 (Darlington Saturday PM school)

This is a highly effective school, particularly in respect of generating energy and enthusiasm amongst the students. There is a genuine sense of good humour, collaboration and confidence. G Watson  04.03.11 (Darlington Friday School)

Very experienced staff and principal, who demonstrate strong expertise in their specialisms. All sessions enjoy a sense of fun, albeit underlined with good learning opportunities. Dynamic approach to teaching, with adventurous projects being developed. A well-managed school.  G Rolfe 09.10.10  (Darlington Saturday AM school)

An exciting, lively school, well-managed. The students show obvious interest and enjoyment. Very good discipline.  M Walker 30.05.10  (Sunday Yarm PM school)

A well-considered and organised class, where students are cared for and feel secure. Staff work enthusiastically and present a range of suitable tasks that are both demanding and enjoyable.  G Rolfe 09.10.10 (Darlington Early Stages)

My American online friend who keeps me abreast of what Jamie Bell is doing, sent me an e mail a couple of weeks ago to say that Jamie had mentioned me on Facebook. As I don`t have a Facebook account, I couldn`t check it out so Ted gave me the wording. It was “I wouldn`t have a career without Trudy Hindmarsh. Love and support to her and all who attend Stagecoach!”  How lovely is that. Thank you very much Jamie.

The pirate party show was fantastic and Madison really enjoyed it all.

Parents have asked me about Stagecoach and I said that Stagecoach is the best thing we have ever done and it has given Madison the
confidence she has today.

Mrs P (Darlington)

I was delighted to learn from Alex Robinson`s mum that Alex had won not only a place at Mountview Drama School in London but had also won a scholarship. When my mum died in 2004, I set p a scholarship in her name and Alex was the first student to receive that scholarship. How lovely that it should have come to such a happy conclusion.

I look forward to coming to see you in the West End now Alex!!

Hi Trudy and staff,
We just wanted to let you know that Alex has been offered a scholarship to study for a degree in musical theatre at Mountview Academy  in London from September.

We are absolutely delighted and would like to thank you all for the training, help and advice she has had from you over the ten happy years she was at Stagecoach. Without this preparation she would never have got through the first audition, as the standard was so high and competition for places is fierce.

Not only did she benefit from the excellent training that she received from you, but she was also able to improve her CV due to the various related exams that she took during her time at Stagecoach.

All in all, Stagecoach has played a vital role in helping Alex achieve her dream of training at a top London drama school, in the hope of one day realising her dream of performing in the West End.

Thank you all,
Regards,
Karen Robinson.

Matthew Lewis, who recently gained a place at the East 15 Drama School in London has sent this card to all his teachers and fellow students, so I have put it here for all those people to read. It was very touching Matthew - thank you.

Received as part of an e mail from Mrs Manvell some words of praise for the community feeling amongst the students. I am most definitely proud Mrs Manvell 

Just wanted to say, what a lovely bunch of girls they are at Stagecoach. On Sunday, they were all really supportive and loving and caring with each other over the Lamda Exams, its so sweet to see. They all hugged and genuinely seemed to care for each other, they are always a pleasure to see ( I know I can only speak for Ellie’s group most of the time, but even at events like Billy/Joseph/Liverpool they all seem to be the same), you should be very proud.

thanks,

Julie Manvell

Received today from the organisers of the Vibe Awards for children in Darlington.

Hello Trudy,
 
Just wanted to say a big thank you to you, the other teachers and young people for performing again at the Vibes again.
 
They were all amazing as usual and feedback has been fantastic!!
 

Jo

There were two awards nights last week and our All Boy Dance Class and Dance STARE performed at the Tuesday awards night. The Boys danced to “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and were complimented enthusiastically by the editor of the Northern Echo when I met him on the stairs at the interval. 

STARE performed to “Bridging the Gap”, as the night`s finale and the dance ended with a spectacular `explosion` of dancers. Hayley Moohan said that she had visited Hurworth School the night after and the Hurworth teachers who had been at the Vibes were full of praise for our groups - saying that they get better every year. Here is an article about the awards from the Northern Echo. The Boys group is pictured taking a bow.

I have to thank Hayley Moohan of Yarm Further Stages (and one of our Early Stages Helpers) for her gift this Christmas. Hayley made a scrapbook for me of  “13 years of fun”. She had included photos and souvenirs of her own time with us  and also letters from herself and other senior students who were leaving to go to university or who now had to concentrate on school exams.  I read the letters in the carpark of Teesside High and became very emotional about reading them.

I know that they will not mind my quoting some lines from what they had to say.  

“Stagecoach has been my life. Forget school. I wanted to go to Stagecoach! I have made friends for life. The manners and confidence made me the person I am today.”  H.M.

” I can`t really remember anything that I`ve enjoyed and looked forward to so much, for so long.  N.B.

“I have never had a dull moment …and I have had some of the best moments in my life.” M.L.

“Stagecoach and LAMDA exams have improved my confidence so much over the years and taught me so many skills that`ll last forever” E.A.W.

” I was at Stagecoach for five years and looked forward to my weekends so I could sing, dance and act and also see the great friends I made over the years.” T.A.

“Thank you for the huge contribution you give every student who passes through Stagecoach.”  R.H.

“My time spent at Stagecoach has been invaluable. Thank you for being a part of shaping the person that I am today.” C.P.

“I`ll never forget all the wonderful times that I have had at Stagecoach” A.H.

The pleasure has all been ours - it is a privilege to see you blossom and progress. There you go - the waterworks again!

Thank you Hayley for the lovely gesture and thought. I will treasure it always.

Thank you so much for this letter Mrs Barrass