The opportunity to:
- train with inspired tutors who will nurture your ambitions to perform in all genres of musical theatre and dance.
- train in specifically designed studios and a building that is user friendly for the disabled, offering a lift to 1st and 2nd floors and wide door access.
- be part of several college performing productions from Year 1 and in Years 2 and 3 perform in pantomimes and outside professional engagements.
- receive guidance and support throughout your training.
- train in a college situated within the main shopping area of a vibrant community offering a variety of food and clothing shops meeting the everyday needs of the student.
- purchase dancewear and uniform at competitive prices from SLP Dancegear Ltd.
We are one of the U.K.’s leading training grounds for young, artistic performing talent. The hallmark of this success has always been the creativity and diversity of our students and staff, and the warm, friendly, helpful atmosphere which is apparent to all who visit the college. Staff, whether teaching or support, endeavor to make all students welcome and valued. To help them develop into caring, responsible young adults, with all the skills needed to have a long, varied career, we offer continual support from a dedicated student support team which includes a Remedial Therapist, Year Tutors and a trained Student Support officer.
3rd year students arrange their own graduation ball at a venue of their choice. Relatives and staff members are invited and students who attain the National Diploma have a Cap and Gown Ceremony earlier in the day and a presentation evening after the formal dinner.
Link to current OFSTED report »
Success Stories
STUDENT ‘A’
Student ‘A’, a young Muslim female of mixed background, graduated with distinction from SLP College in the summer of 2010, gaining her National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre (Trinity). Her exceptional talent, especially in Dance, has resulted in her successfully auditioning for and gaining a part in ‘Fame’, which starts a UK and international tour in the autumn.
Her route to success began many years before when she attended the SLP Dance Academy as a ‘tiny tot’. She was an outstanding student from the outset and passed all her ISTD and RAD exams with flying colours, performing in cabarets and many shows over the years. She became a Junior Associate of SLP College when the programme was first introduced. (Junior Associates were created in response to an initiative from the Learning & Skills Council aiming to improve the access of minority groups to Dance & Drama Awards.)
Having achieved her academic goals she successfully auditioned for a Dance & Drama Award at SLP College and was able to enrol on the second year of the Trinity Musical Theatre Diploma course due to recognition of APL (approved prior learning).
As a practising Moslem the College respected her wishes to observe religious festivals and she was given time off to celebrate Eid every year. Her physical wellbeing during Ramadan was discussed with the Student Advisor and an agreement was reached to allow fasting, provided she ensured she was sufficiently hydrated at all times, and all staff were notified so that her health could be properly monitored.
During her final year she took on the role of Rehearsal Director which involved taking responsibility for the students when performing either in College or off campus in cabaret, pantomime, Move It, etc. She was also a crucial member of the fundraising team and found time to support the Principal in preparing children at the Academy for competitions and exams. She was a role model for the younger students and a spokesperson for her own year.
Although always seeing herself as a dancer, with encouragement and direction from the teaching staff of the Singing Faculty, she blossomed as a singer in the third year of the course, which was undoubtedly instrumental in her ultimate audition success.
We wish her well in her career in the performing arts and look forward to reading about her in ‘Asian Express’.
STUDENT ‘B’
Student ‘B’ came to us via ‘DanceX’, a television reality show featuring Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tolioni. As a vibrant young dancer he was successful in the preliminary rounds but failed to achieve the pick-up standard for singing that was required – not surprising as he has had hearing loss in both ears from birth. Recognising his potential, Miss Reid, the Principal, invited him to audition for a place at SLP College and subsequently offered him a scholarship place which he took up in September 2007.
Having missed out on mainstream education at secondary level, he found the academic content of the course ‘challenging’. One-to-one support was provided by the College from the outset with a qualified learning support tutor. He was provided with an individual portable hearing loop system and teachers were able to use this in all classes.
At the end of his first year a Dance & Drama Award became available and, following a review of student achievement by the Principal and staff, he was chosen as the most deserving recipient. Following this he was given assistance by his tutor to apply for a Disabled Students Allowance which resulted in the supply of a laptop and specialised software, as well as funding for continued learning support throughout the course.
His enthusiasm for performing inspired the other students and made him very popular with both staff and students and he took a full part in the social activities of the College. As a dancer he always stood out and he thoroughly deserved his award for performance in the 2009 Summer Show at the Alhambra, in his home town of Bradford.
His progress was keenly followed by teachers at his old school and, as part of the College’s outreach programme, a large group of students gave a performance for parents and pupils which was warmly received.
Always keen to compete on a level playing field, he worked extremely hard in the disciplines of Acting and Singing to reach his full potential. Hours of preparation and practice led to a successful debut as Charlie Brown in the Year 2 production of ‘Snoopy, The Musical’ and the discovery of a talent for physical theatre and comedy.
Twice-yearly assessments on the course were rigorous but extra time was always allowed for written tests and an amanuensis provided when necessary. His hard work paid off and he graduated with a Merit from SLP College and a National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre (Trinity).
The extra support he received helped him to finally achieve his ambition of singing solo in the Year 3 Showcase at the Criterion Theatre in London. As a result he was spotted by an agent and recruited to Boss Management. He has performed in London with the group “Deaf men Dancing”.
Our Mission
"We seek to preserve and nourish the individuality and creative spirit of each of our students, encouraging them to develop as performers, accelerate their individual progress and reach their full potential"
"In the vibrant atmosphere at the College we advocate a policy of open communication, creating a unique working environment producing positive, versatile and communicative young professional performers and teachers."
SLP College is committed to Inclusion, Diversity and Equality.
This is demonstrated by the wide success of our students in all areas of Musical Theatre and Dance »
