NMPAT Youth Theatre

🌟 Calling All Children’s University Alumni!.

Have you, your child, or even your grandchildren ever taken part in a Children’s University programme anywhere in the UK? Did you receive a certificate for hours or extra learning or wear those proud caps and gowns at a CU graduation? 🎓

We’re looking for alumni from all CU programmes to share their stories! Whether you went on to college or university, completed an apprenticeship, pursued your dream job, travelled the world, or took a more unique path in pursuit of your passion we want to hear about your journey.

Your experiences can inspire current CU children, showcase the long-term impact of our programme, and celebrate the amazing achievements of the CU community nationwide.

📩 If you’d like to be featured in a short alumni case study, please get in touch with us on here is send a direct message.

💬 Please SHARE this post and TAG anyone who might have been previous participant, the more stories we can gather, the better!

We can’t wait to hear your journey and celebrate your successes! 🌟

The Friends of NMPAT merch shop is now live!

For the first time, you are able to purchase NMPAT t-shirts, polo shirts, caps and tote bags, with both shirts able to be personalised 👕🧢🌟

The shop will remain open until midnight on Tuesday 31st March.
Get yours here: www.actifwearshop.co.uk/nmpat-spring-summer-2026

The Drama Studio is proud to announce we will once again take part in the 2026 National Theatre of London’s ‘Connections’ festival.

The Guardian is currently running a poll to determine Australia’s best picture book. We would love to see Jackie’s book ‘Diary of a Wombat’ reach number one! In 2010, Jackie granted Director Fiona Finley and Musical Director Evan Kerr permission to adapt ‘Shaggy Gully Times’ into a musical. This production marked the beginning of Fiona and Evan’s long-term collaboration, which has resulted in annual original musicals and countless productions. The Drama Studio provides a platform to inspire and engage young people, develop their confidence and nurture their artistry, which in turn has had a lasting impact on their lives. Thank you, Jackie French for being part of that journey! HarperCollins Books Australia https://www.theguardian.com/culture/ng-interactive/2026/jan/27/australia-best-childrens-picture-book-poll-vote

Congratulations to Fiona Finley, who celebrates 21 years as Artistic Director of The Drama Studio. The Drama Studio provides a platform to inspire and engage young people, develop their confidence and nurture their artistry, which in turn has had a lasting impact on the lives of so many. We look forward to continuing the journey, and we thank Fiona for her commitment to inspiring the next generation!

Youth Theatre & Young Actors please see below:

Subject: NMPAT information in the event of snow and cold

To all members of NMPAT ensembles and individual lesson students,

Dear NMPAT member and family

With the possibility of snow in coming days, we are writing to inform you that any decisions regarding the cancellation of NMPAT activities, closure of the Kettering Road Music and Arts Centre site, or closure of Saturday Centres, will be communicated on the NMPAT website at www.nmpat.co.uk and on our page at https://www.facebook.com/NMPAT

In the event of severe weather, please check these pages, before setting off.

If there is no message, NMPAT activities will continue, as scheduled.

NMPAT will, at all times, seek to ensure the safety of our children, young people and their families, of our colleagues and the NMPAT community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust - NMPAT Inspire • Nurture • Excel
Offering lessons, ensembles, activities and events for children and young people 🎵🎶

🍎 https://wnc.ai/48-U-School - Our Local Area SEND Partnership is proud to work with 4‑8‑U, a group of young people with SEND. 4‑8‑U works with schools and different youth groups and is also linked to regional and national networks. Every month, 4‑8‑U creates a survey on an important topic to collect the views of children and young people with SEND across West Northamptonshire. They share the results directly with members of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Board. The Board listens to this feedback and uses it to decide what should happen next. Through this work, 4‑8‑U makes sure children and young people’s voices help shape decisions and improve services across the partnership. 4‑8‑U also designs each survey themselves, making sure the questions are suitable for different ages and needs. This month’s survey is about the school experiences of children and young people with SEND.

👀This is your sign to audition to become a National Youth Theatre Member in 2026! No need for fancy equipment just bring yourself and let your talent do the rest Digital auditions are now open which means you can audition from anywhere in the UK! 🤳 Social Media Ambassador, Geena 🔗 in bio for more info! #nationalyouththeatre

On this day, Monday 3rd November 2025, it is gratitude and optimism that are the watchwords for NMPAT. We find ourselves at the end of one chapter and the start of the next.

On Friday we said our final thanks to our outgoing CEO, Peter Smalley, pictured here with his daughter. It was wonderful to hear the many heartfelt messages for Peter that came from students, staff and families whose association with NMPAT goes back many decades. It was equally wonderful to hear Peter's reflections on his time here, the highlights all involving opportunities he has had to facilitate music making for children and young people. There is no doubt that there are thousands of people who have been positively impacted by the work he has enabled. Thank you Peter.

Thanks too came from Peter's sucessor, Charlotte Buxton, who congratulated him on a remarkable legacy, and thanked him for the openness he has shown, and wisdom he has shared in her first two months as CEO designate. Today marks Charlotte's first official day as CEO of NMPAT. She shares Peter's oft stated belief that music education should be a right not a privilige, and her plan is to build NMPAT's future with creativity, courage and collaboration.

We are excited to see where we go from here, and confident that the values of NMPAT, to inspire, nurture and excel, will remain at the heart of all our work.

Congratulations Sinead Ferguson and all the cast and crew. We are so proud. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1W2UnRCb5r/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BPSNEh8oW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

1 week to go. 💛

Pieces of Us has its UK Premiere next weekend at the North East International Film Festival — our first public screening on the big screen.

This film was made in Cornwall with heart, grit, and a team of incredible collaborators. To see it begin its journey like this means the world.

📍 Everyman Cinema, Newcastle
📅 Saturday 25th October
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pieces-of-us-feature-film-screening-with-qa-tickets-1721975157049

Come join us for the screening and Q&A — we can’t wait to share Pieces of Us with you.

North East International Film Festival
British Independent Film Awards
Everyman Cinemas

Our Youth Theatre students in action.