Stagecoach Theatre Arts is 20 years old this year. Started in 1988 by Stephanie Manuel and David Sprigg in London as a means to enhance the eductaion of children who were missing out on learning valuable life skills. They knew that working as a team to create performances in dance, drama and singing brought the best out of the young people attending their classes and so they spread their performing arts wings by setting up more schools in the area to cater for demand.

Now there are over 700 Stagecoach schools around the world run independently by dedicated Teaching professionals. Kate Ruddick set up her Bishop Auckland franchise over 5 years ago having already worked in other Stagecoach Schools as a teacher for ten years and running her own school in Northallerton. Living in Spennymoor at the time and talking to other parents she realised that there was a demand for higher quality, non eliteist performing arts training in the area in which she lived and after looking for a suitable location opted to set up Stagecoach Bishop Auckland in Bishop Barrington School.

Not long afterwards the school relocated down the road at King James I Community College due to it's favourable facilities and Stagecoach Bishop Auckland has gone from strength to strength.

Kate believes that the Students at bishop Auckland have been the best she has taught at any school. "Their level of dedication seems to be higher than other areas, they work harder to achieve" she said and this bore fruit during their first attempt at Trinity College London examinations gaining two distinctions and a merit. These grades were among the best in the country at the time but last year the students went one step further by gaining 3 distinction, an almost 100% examination award! The examiner at the time said it was probably the best she had ever seen, anywhere in the country.

You can contact the school on 01388 664066 24hrs.