Perform drama classes for 4-7s
Perform runs two weekly classes at St Nicolas Church Hall, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, Reading RG6 7JN. The 4-7s session is every Wednesday 4:00–5:00pm (children aged 3 years 10 months to just under 8 years); the 7-12s session follows immediately at 5:05–6:05pm (aged 6 years 10 months to just under 13). The current summer term runs 15 April to 15 July, with no session on Wednesday 27 May. Every child can try a session free — book in advance by phone or online, and the trial must fall within the next two weeks of term-time.
St Nicolas Church Hall Earley · RG6 7JNIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has held classes at St Nicolas Church Hall Earley every Wednesday during term-time since January 2013. The after-school timing — 4:00pm for the 4-7s, 5:05pm for the 7-12s — suits families collecting from local primaries, and siblings in different age bands can attend back-to-back on the same evening. Producer Gemma runs the sessions supported by Teacher Claudia; Area Partner Sophie oversees the wider programme.
This summer term the 4-7s set sail aboard the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids & Pirates — a quest to find the Sacred Coconut that introduces the Seasick Pirate, singing parrot Rita Conchita, and a mermaid on a mission. The 7-12s, meanwhile, are working with The Dream, Perform's retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, complete with Oberon, Titania, footballers and popstars. Perform writes its own songs, games and dances for each term's theme, so the material is specific to the programme rather than pulled from existing shows.
Each 4-7s session divides into three sections. Move & Feel opens the hour with dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring exercises that build coordination, balance and core stability. Listen, Speak & Sing moves into specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps — activities designed to develop verbal communication, listening and concentration. The final section, Create & Imagine, uses character explorations, storytelling and role-playing improvisations to bring the term's story to life. Across all three sections the curriculum is built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Concentration and Coordination. Classes are capped at 22 children, with two Perform staff members present throughout. After each session, parents receive an email from Gemma summarising what that week's session focused on.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a class before committing?
Yes. Every child has one free trial session. It must be booked in advance — by phone or online — and at the time of booking it must be scheduled to fall within the next two weeks of term-time. Before attending you'll need to complete and sign a registration form covering contact, identification and health details.
How do I sign up?
Online, through Producer Gemma, or by phone. Classes are booked in blocks of 10 consecutive weekly term-time sessions (a 20-session block is also available), and full payment is due by the end of the first session. New customers can get £30 off a first block of 10 by joining Perform's mailing list. Payment can be spread via monthly Direct Debit; childcare vouchers are accepted and a bursary scheme is available.
What does my child need to wear?
The relevant Perform T-shirt, which must be purchased before the first session. Perform reserves the right to refuse admission without a refund if a child arrives without it — worth sorting in advance.
What happens at the end of term?
Three times a year, family and friends are invited to Half-term Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations — a chance to see dancing, acting and singing. This summer Perform is also staging a West End show, Mermaids & Pirates, with tickets available to book separately.
What if my child misses a session?
Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block under any circumstances. A make-up session at another class can be arranged, but you must phone the Perform office by 11:00am on the day you want to use it, and your child must still have at least one untaken session remaining at this school.
Can I watch the weekly classes?
No — children attend without parents during term-time sessions. The weekly email from Gemma keeps you informed of what was covered each week, and personalised Feedback Forms, read and signed by Principal Lucy Quick, give a fuller picture of your child's progress across each section of the class.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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