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  • WHAT IS ‘WHAM’? ARE YOU A FRANCHISE?
    WHAM Theatre Schools was started by Mark Bowman in 2018 after working with Franchises, and experience of being a long term Franchisee in the past. The model was based on real feedback, experience and research. We did not begin to Franchise our classes until late 2022. However, due to demand, it was a way to ensure our parents & students can get the best experience at WHAM. Mark is very open and honest about his opinions on Franchising. Franchising can be an amazing opportunity depending on the Franchisee, the level of support from the Franchisor, and, the demographic. Mark is honest, and admits that being a Franchisee was not for him. As of 2023, we do have two Franchised locations in Kent & Essex, and Norfolk, which is run by Fabulous WHAM Teachers who decided to step up and become a Principal. However, the launches and setup are very much overseen by Mark. He decided to create a system which can appeal to the younger generation who all have different desires & ambitions. Check out the “About Us” section to learn about the WHAM Ethos & Model. Mark wanted to create a safe environment where children could learn how to be creative and to increase their confidence via the arts. He wanted to step away from the typical ‘theatre school’ setup, and for students to enjoy and learn new skills in Drama based subjects. Everything you see at WHAM, has been created by Mark and his team which includes former West End Stars, TV Actors, Dancers and Professional Musicians.
  • WHAT WILL MY CHILD DO AT WHAM DURING THE TASTER SESSION?
    Each taster student joins in with our existing school timetable, dependent on their age group. This means they will experience up to 1 hour and 15 minutes in Triple Threat Activities which is Drama, Singing & Dancing Musical Theatre. Our students are put into appropriate age groups which are WHAM BUBZ, WHAM JUNIORS (ages 6 to 8) , WHAM MIDS (ages 9 to 11) and WHAM SENIORS (ages 12/13+).
  • HOW MUCH IS A TASTER SESSION?
    Our trial sessions are available to book at any time, and can be seen on the "Book a Trial" page.
  • CAN MY CHILD JUST JOIN IN WITH ONE PARTICULAR CLASS? WHAT IF MY CHILD WANTS TO DO MORE THAN JUST ONE CLASS?
    We like to stick to classes that we know we can deliver. Therefore, Musical Theatre is our core subject, which embeds all 3 disciplines into the session. We do offer some other performing arts classes such as Non-Syllabus Ballet & Tap, and Acro. Please speak to your teacher or Principal to find out what other activities we offer!
  • CAN I SIT IN THE CLASSES ON A WEEKLY BASIS? HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MY CHILD IS DOING?
    We take safeguarding very seriously at WHAM, and like most Performing Arts Schools, parents aren’t permitted to stay in the classes with their children. This can often affect of the dynamic of the class, and can cause other students’ to feel uncomfortable & affect performance when strangers are in their session. However, we do run “Bring a Parent” days, where our classes are designed for parents to attend WHAM for the day so they can take part! We know that feedback is important to you, as just like school, we are aware of when asking your child what they did that day, you may get a very brief answer! However, we do write Reports once every year after we can measure their progress fairly. You’re always more than welcome to come and chat with myself or a member of the team if you would like to know more, and we can have a chat with their teachers to see how they’re getting on in each module! However, do try and let us know if you need to chat, as sometimes our team need to get started with teaching our students on time.
  • MY CHILD LOVES TO PERFORM, AND CONSTANTLY WANTS TO BE ON STAGE, WHAT PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?"
    That's great! We love enthusiastic students and are here to encourage their skill! However, at WHAM, we want to make sure that your child receives the best tuition and tools to understand how to perform. When Mark set up WHAM, his ethos was for the younger generation to learn new skills that they can use in everyday life and for performing arts. Sometimes when our students are constantly working towards full scaled shows, they will miss out on our skills building exercises in Singing, Dance & Drama. Over the years, I have witnessed gentle children become stressed ,neurotic and anxious over large stage productions, whereas some thrive on it. As, part of the WHAM Training System is to be able to offer something for everyone. Therefore, for those students that are interested in taking part in full stage shows, we will be offering separate opportunities outside of the usual WHAM sessions with local theatre partners, as well as staging our own events. We know that as parents, you want to see what they're up to and what they've been working on. Therefore, we always offer an opportunity per academic year for you to see their performance progress. This may be in the form of an In-House Showcase, , Open Class Presentation or Bring a Parent Day!
  • WHAT SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE? HOW ARE YOUR TEACHERS VETTED?
    We uphold a strict policy when looking after our students. All of my team (including myself) are required by the local authority and in line with our Child Protection Policy, to hold an Enhanced DBS Check and undertake child protection training from the Child Protection Company. Every teacher is required to have a degree / completed sufficient training in their subject or to hold relevant industry experience to ensure our students get the best possible experience from WHAM Theatre Schools. We also have a WHAM first aiders on site (not including the external venue team). All of our classes have undergone risk assessments with regards to injury & strain, and how our staff, parents and students can keep these risks to a minimum. Each class has a maximum limit, along with a specific ratio of adults to children. Our younger students are always supervised either with a permanent assistant escorting them to and from their lessons; and to assist them when making trips to the toilet etc, or, the WC facilities are located within the teaching space with no public access. As the Principal & Manager of the school is not always in the studio as a permanent teacher, their job is to oversee the teachers and the classes. Therefore, the Principal can provide extra support to the existing team members. At present, the WHAM Model does not permit any more than two classes to be running at any one time, which provides a clearer and safer environment for our students.
  • WHAT ARE YOUR PAYMENT TERMS?
    Parents & Guardians are charged for classes half termly bu direct debit, in advance. For example, you join us during the first half term in Feb, and there are 6 sessions: CLASS FEE OF £7.00 x 6 Sessions = £42 ONE OFF JOINING FEE = £20 TOTAL HALF TERM FEE = £62 You'll be charged immediately upon enrolment. Thereafter, all fees are charged the week after the end of the half term. For example, at the end of Feb Half Term your direct debit will be charged on the earliest date of the week. I.e. Your last class of the half term is Friday 24th Feb. Your next invoice for the following half term, will be charged on Monday 27th Feb. If your child no longer wants to attend WHAM, you only have to let us know by the end of that half term (before invoicing run) that you won't be continuing your membership with us. Otherwise, it will continue as normal.
  • DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS / FOR ABSENCES?
    As per most performing arts & activity clubs, we do not authorise refunds for missed or absent sessions. However, we do not run timetabled classes over the school holidays, apart from our Summer Workshops. These are separate from your standard set of fees, and are optional.
  • CAN STUDENTS GAIN QUALIFICATIONS AT WHAM THEATRE SCHOOLS?
    Yes! We offer our students the chance to achieve Arts Award Qualifications from Trinity College London, as well as graded Group & Solo Examinations from TCL, and other leading examination boards. However, our ethos is very much about choice, and ensuring the weekly classes aren't affected by the stress of examinations, or compulsory shows. Examinations & Development will be offered outside of standard timetabled classes.
  • WHAT IF MY CHILD DECIDES WHAM ISN’T FOR THEM?
    MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION We understand that our students’ interests can change over time, which is why we have a half termly membership system in place. All that is required is for you to email us on info@whamtheatreschools.com giving one half term's notice. As long as we receive your notice by the end of that half term, and before your charge date, then you won't need to pay anything further. The office will then cancel your direct debit and amend your membership.
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