Barbara Speake Stage School

The Barbara Speake Stage School was opened on 10 February 1945 and remains one of the longest established stage schools in the world. It is an independent school, and was initially set up as a dancing school, by the founding principal Miss Barbara Speake, MBE,[2] and is located in East Acton, London. The school is fee-paying but non-selective in its admissions.[3]

Barbara Speake Stage School
Address
East Acton Lane

East Acton, London
,
W3 7EG

England
Coordinates51.51234°N 0.25517°W / 51.51234; -0.25517
Information
TypeIndependent school
Day school
Co-educational school
Established10 February 1945
FounderBarbara Speake
Local authorityEaling Council
OfstedReports
PrincipalShereen Boucher[1]
HeadteacherDavid Speake
GenderCo-educational
Age4 to 16
CampusUrban campus

The school closed in 2020 and is relocating.[1]

History

In 1961, June Collins (mother of drummer/singer Phil Collins) joined forces with Barbara Speake to become the school's agent. Collins supplied the entertainment industry with children for every major production in the West End, TV and Theatre. Due to the success of both the agency and dancing school, in 1963 the decision was made to turn their successes in to a full-time educational establishment for the performing arts. Collins discovered Jack Wild playing football and decided that he was a child with potential, and persuaded his family to let him attend the full-time school. Wild went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of "The Artful Dodger" in Oliver![4][5] Collins died in November 2011.[6]

Barbara Speake, received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in the New Years Honours list of 2007, for her services to the arts.[7]

Curriculum

The School currently has 66 pupils aged 4 to 16 and is the only stage school providing a "Stage School" Nursery, allowing the children to grow in confidence and self-esteem via the arts.

The School received an Inadequate Ofsted rating at its last inspection (30 April 2019).[8] The decline from a Satisfactory rating began with an emergency inspection on 4 July 2014 which found that the welfare, health and safety of pupils was at risk following the installation of CCTV without appropriate changing facilities being provided. The inspection found that there were no changing facilities for female pupils.[9]

Alumni

Over the years, Collins had an eye for talent, and with Speake, the school has helped to develop some notable performers in the entertainment industry, including:

References
  1. Osborne, Bridget. "ArtsEd school 'over-subscribed' despite crisis in performing arts". The Chiswick Calender. The Chiswick Calendar. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  2. Speake, Barbara M. "Angels in the Wings". AuthorHouse. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  3. Elkin, Susan (7 February 2005). "Speake up for drama – Barbara Speake". The Stage. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  4. "Wichita Eagle: Search Results". NewsLibrary. Newsbank. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. "Jack Wild". The Telegraph. 3 March 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2014. (subscription required)
  6. "June Collins (I)". IMDB. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  7. "The Gazette" (58196). Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The Stationery Office. 30 December 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  8. "Barbara Speake Stage School". Ofsted. May 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  9. "Barbara Speake Stage School". Ofsted. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  10. "Naomi Campbell". Vogue. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  11. Millar, Paul (20 November 2011). "Keith Chegwin: 'Phil Collins let me sing his first song'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  12. "Past Students and Success Stories". Barbara Speake Stage School & Agency. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  13. "Michelle Gayle". MTV Artists. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  14. "Kwame Kwei-Armah". IMDb. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  15. "Queen's birthday honours list 2012: OBE". The Guardian. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  16. "David Parfitt". IMDb. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  17. "About Mark Summers". Move like Michael Jackson. BBC Three. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
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