Is TYC a stage school?

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No. TYC is a youth-led arts organisation rather than a traditional stage school.

 

While we value performance and skill development, we place equal importance on access, learning, collaboration, and confidence. We work with mixed-ability groups and prioritise growth over competition.

 

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My child is confident or talented - will they still be challenged?

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Yes. We hold high expectations for all young people and support them to grow artistically at their own pace.

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Confident or experienced young people are encouraged to stretch themselves, take responsibility, mentor others, and explore leadership and creative roles.

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Progress at TYC is about depth and development, not racing ahead.

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Do you cast based on ability?

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We cast with intention rather than hierarchy.

 

Young people are given opportunities based on:

 

• readiness to take responsibility

• commitment and engagement

• the needs of the group

 

We believe being trusted with opportunity is a powerful part of learning — not something reserved only for those who arrive already confident.

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What if my child is shy, anxious, or inexperienced?

 

TYC is designed with those young people in mind.

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We create supportive, consistent spaces where young people can:

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• build confidence gradually

• learn by doing

• find their place in the group

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Many children grow most once they feel they belong.

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Do you only focus on performing?

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No. Alongside performance, young people can explore:

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• film and screen acting

• scriptwriting and storytelling

• technical roles (sound, lighting, projection, film)

• stage management and production

• leadership and mentoring

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We encourage young people to discover where their interests and strengths lie over time.

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Why do shows sometimes feel different to other youth theatre productions?

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Because our priorities are different — by choice.

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We prioritise:

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• access over exclusivity

• learning over polish

• shared responsibility over perfect execution

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This means young people often run performances themselves, including technical roles. Mistakes can happen — and they are part of the learning.

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How much does it cost?

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TYC is deliberately lower-cost than many performing arts organisations.

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We operate a blended model of paid, subsidised, and funded places so that cost is never the reason a young person cannot take part. All young people receive the same experience, expectations, and respect.

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For weekly sessions invoices are sent at the start of a term and are usually paid in advance. There is an option to create a monthly payment plan. For one off events the costs are usually subsidised or free to all and are advertises alonside the event/workshop. 

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Why does TYC work well for neurodivergent young people?

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TYC is designed around how young people learn and grow in creative spaces, rather than expecting everyone to fit a single model.

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Our approach supports many neurodivergent young people because we:

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• prioritise learning through doing, not pressure or perfection

• value process and progress over competition

• work with mixed-ability groups where difference is normalised

• build strong, consistent relationships over time

• allow young people to take responsibility at their own pace

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Many neurodivergent young people thrive when they feel trusted, understood, and not constantly compared to others.

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Do you offer specialist SEND or high-needs provision?

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Not currently. TYC is not currently a specialist SEND or high-needs service, and at present we do not have the staffing ratios or specialist support required to offer high-support provision safely.

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We are honest about this so that young people, families, and our staff are supported appropriately.

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We would like to develop dedicated SEND provision in the future when we have the capacity, funding, and specialist staff in place to do this well.

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What level of support can TYC realistically offer?

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TYC works best for young people who can:

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• engage in a group setting with support and flexibility

• participate with reasonable adjustments

• manage within standard youth arts staffing ratios

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We are not currently able to provide:

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• one-to-one support

• personal care

• intensive behavioural or emotional support

• therapeutic or clinical intervention

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Will my child be expected to “fit in”?

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No.  We don’t expect young people to mask who they are in order to take part. We aim to create environments where difference is accepted and where confidence and communication can develop naturally over time.

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However, participation does require a level of independence that allows sessions to run safely for the whole group.

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Should I talk to you about my child’s needs before joining?

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Yes, and we encourage this. There is space on our registration form for this but always feel able to email or speak to our teachers in person about your child's needs.

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Open conversations help us:

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• understand what support might be needed

• assess whether TYC is the right environment

• be honest if another provision may be more suitable

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Our priority is always the wellbeing of the young person and the group as a whole.

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Is TYC right for my child?

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TYC is right for young people who:

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• want to be part of something collaborative

• are open to learning and growing over time

• want to explore creativity in a supportive, inclusive environment

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If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to talk things through!