Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs a weekly drama, dance and singing class for 4–7 year olds at St Andrews Islington, Thornhill Square, Barnsbury (N1 1BQ) every Wednesday — slots at 4:00 pm and 5:05 pm. Every child is entitled to a free trial session before committing to a block.
St Andrews Islington · N1 1BQIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been at St Andrews Islington since January 2016 — every Wednesday during term time, with sessions at 4:00 pm and 5:05 pm. The class is for children aged 4–7. Producer Kara runs the sessions alongside teacher Scott, and Area Partner Sophie visits regularly. The current term runs from 15 April to 15 July 2025, with no session on Wednesday 27 May (bank holiday).
This summer's theme is Mermaids & Pirates: the children set sail on the good ship the Jammy Dodger, with songs, characters and stories built around that world. Perform writes its own songs, games and dances for each termly theme, and the focus shifts every week — so there is always fresh material to work with. Class size is limited to 22 children, and two staff members are present throughout.
Each session follows three sections. Move & Feel opens with dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring exercises, developing coordination, balance and core stability. Listen, Speak & Sing follows, using specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps to build confidence, concentration and projection. Create & Imagine closes the session with character explorations, storytelling and role-playing improvisations.
The curriculum is organised around what Perform calls The 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point in the year rather than waiting for a term to start. During the term, parents receive a weekly email from the Producer detailing that week's focus, and a personalised Feedback Form written by the Producer and signed by Principal Lucy Quick. Three times a year, family and friends are invited to Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations to see what the children have been working on.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a session before we commit?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class. You can book by finding the St Andrews Islington venue on the Perform website, through the class Producer, or by calling the office — no payment is needed for the trial itself.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. You can also renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available for families who need support with the cost, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
What ages does this class take?
The Wednesday sessions at St Andrews Islington are for children aged 4–7. Within that range, a mixed group works well: younger children are stretched and stimulated by the group, and older children gain from taking on a more active role in activities.
What does a typical session involve?
Each session moves through three sections: movement and dance (coordination, balance, rapid-reaction games); speech and singing (specially composed songs, raps and tongue-twisters); and drama and imagination (character work, storytelling, improvisation). The content changes each week in line with the termly theme — this summer, Mermaids & Pirates.
What if my child misses a session?
Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block. However, Perform operates a make-up system that allows a child to attend a session at a different venue, subject to availability, provided they are still enrolled.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
Where it is
Approximate location (postcode area)