Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at St John's Highbury Vale Primary School, Maberley Hall, Conewood Street, N5 1DL — with slots on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
St John's Highbury Vale Primary School · N5 1DLIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running classes at St John's Highbury Vale Primary School since January 2000 — Maberley Hall is one of the programme's earliest venues. The current term runs from 14th April to 15th December. Classes at this venue are run by Producers Jade, Jamie and Victoria, with teachers Imogen, Jade and Sapphire, and Area Partners Gemma and Jade overseeing the site.
Six weekly slots are available across Tuesday and Thursday. The 4–7s can attend Tuesdays at 4:00pm or 5:05pm, or Thursdays at 4:00pm. The 7–12s have slots on Tuesdays at 6:15pm and Thursdays at 5:05pm or 6:10pm. Each session runs for one hour.
Every session is split into three sections covering drama, dance and singing — no two weeks are the same. For the 4–7s, the three sections are Move & Feel (dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring to build coordination and balance), Listen, Speak & Sing (specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps), and Create & Imagine (character explorations, storytelling and role-playing improvisations). Older children in the 7–12s work through Acting & Improvising, Movement & Dance and Speech & Singing, with growing emphasis on vocal projection, public-speaking and leadership. Both programmes are built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity rather than treated as a separate strand.
This summer, the 4–7s are sailing with the Mermaids & Pirates theme, while the 7–12s are working through The Dream — Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream, with Oberon, Titania and a cast of footballers, pop stars and celebrities. Classes run on a rolling curriculum, so a child can join whenever a place is free rather than waiting for a new intake. Each class is capped at 22 children and always has two Perform staff in the room. Parents receive a personalised Feedback Form and a weekly email from the Producer detailing that week's focus.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class, so you can see the session in action before committing to anything. Book through the Perform website or by phoning the office.
Which age groups does the Highbury Vale venue cater for?
Classes here run for 4–7s and 7–12s. In the younger group, a mixed age range is deliberate — younger children are stretched by the group and older children gain confidence from guiding activities. For the 7–12s, Perform treats character and prior social development as more relevant than exact age, so a child who is on the cusp is worth a conversation with the team.
What happens in a typical session?
Each hour-long session is split into three sections covering drama, dance and singing. No week is identical — the curriculum rotates within a termly theme, so children stay engaged across a full ten-week block. The current themes are Mermaids & Pirates (4–7s) and The Dream, inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream (7–12s). Every class has two Perform staff and is capped at 22 children.
What is the booking structure and can we join mid-term?
Perform runs a rolling curriculum, which means there is no fixed start date — your child can join whenever a place is available. Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions; there is also an option to renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers — call the office for details. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off a first block of ten classes. If you need to miss a session, a make-up system lets your child attend an equivalent class at another venue, subject to availability. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block.
Are there holiday courses at this venue?
Yes. This summer there are two Peter Pan holiday courses at Highbury Vale: Monday 20th to Friday 24th July, and Monday 17th to Friday 21st August, both running 10am–3pm. Holiday courses are open to children aged 4–10 and available in three, four or five-day options. They include mini-performances as part of the week.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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Approximate location (postcode area)