PQA Selby

31/08/2026

🚨 Final call, filmmakers! 🚨

Today is the LAST day to enter the Summer Filmmaking Competition! If you’ve been polishing that script, tweaking those edits or hesitating to hit “submit”, this is your sign to go for it.

Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, we want to see your story on screen. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your creativity and be in with a shot of some exciting prizes and recognition.

Submit your film today – once the deadline’s gone, it’s gone! 🎬

28/08/2026

Thinking about joining a performing arts academy? Here’s why PQA Selby is a brilliant choice!

Every week, our students enjoy 3 classes in 1 day: Film & TV, Comedy & Drama, and Musical Theatre. This unique mix means they get to explore a wide range of skills, build confidence, and discover what they truly love within the performing arts – all in a fun, supportive environment.

It’s perfect for young performers who want to try it all, learn new skills, and make great friends along the way.

So, which would be your favourite: Film & TV, Comedy & Drama or Musical Theatre? Let us know in the comments!

https://www.pqacademy.com/academies/selby/

27/08/2026

⭐ Calling all young performers! ⭐

Come along to the Village Tearoom in Cawood this Saturday for a fun-filled “Bring It On – The Musical” taster workshop with Nicci! We’ll be there from 1pm–3pm, so bring your young performer along for an afternoon of singing, dancing and plenty of cheer. No experience needed – just turn up, join in and enjoy the fun!

While the kids are getting stuck into the workshop, you can relax with the Tearoom’s amazing food and drinks… and you might even catch a few fairies too!

Who’s coming along? Tag a friend and spread the word! 🎭✨

25/08/2026

Give Their Imagination Centre Stage with PQA Poppets!

Is your little one always singing, dancing, pretending and performing? PQA Poppets turns that natural sparkle into confidence, creativity and pure joy!

Our high-energy 90-minute classes for 4–6 year olds blend singing, dancing, acting, presenting and creative play into one magical performing arts adventure. Every week, your child will:

• Dive into make-believe worlds and exciting stories
• Explore characters through playful role-play
• Develop early performance skills in a fun, gentle way
• Build confidence, teamwork and communication
• Share their creativity in their very first performances for family and friends

With 39 weeks of classes across the year (with breaks in school holidays), Poppets provides a regular, uplifting space for your child to grow, express themselves and discover the joy of performing arts. Fees are just £47 per month.

Ready to see your child light up on stage?

Book a FREE 90-minute Poppets taster session and let them experience the magic for themselves.

Visit the PQA Selby academy page today to check term dates and reserve your free Poppets session – places are limited, so book now! https://www.pqacademy.com/academies/selby/

25/08/2026

Give Their Imagination Centre Stage with PQA Poppets!

Is your little one always singing, dancing, pretending and performing? PQA Poppets turns that natural sparkle into confidence, creativity and pure joy!

Our high-energy 90-minute classes for 4–6 year olds blend singing, dancing, acting, presenting and creative play into one magical performing arts adventure. Every week, your child will:

• Dive into make-believe worlds and exciting stories
• Explore characters through playful role-play
• Develop early performance skills in a fun, gentle way
• Build confidence, teamwork and communication
• Share their creativity in their very first performances for family and friends

With 39 weeks of classes across the year (with breaks in school holidays), Poppets provides a regular, uplifting space for your child to grow, express themselves and discover the joy of performing arts. Fees are just £47 per month.

Ready to see your child light up on stage?

Book a FREE 90-minute Poppets taster session and let them experience the magic for themselves.

Visit the PQA Selby academy page today to check term dates and reserve your free Poppets session – places are limited, so book now! https://www.pqacademy.com/academies/selby/

24/08/2026

Blog - What is imaginative play?

Imaginative play, also called pretend or make-believe play, is where childhood truly comes alive. It’s that magical moment when a child uses their creativity to invent characters, scenarios, and whole fictional worlds. Instead of needing fancy toys or complex instructions, they use whatever is around them as props: a cardboard box becomes a spaceship, a spoon transforms into a magic wand, and a blanket turns into the grand entrance to a secret castle.

One of the most wonderful things about imaginative play is that it is completely child-led. The child decides the rules, chooses the roles, and shapes the plot as they go. There’s no script to follow and no “right” outcome to aim for. This open-ended nature means the possibilities are endless. Because imaginative play is symbolic, everyday objects can stand in for something else entirely, allowing children to stretch their thinking and see the world in new and exciting ways.

You’ll see imaginative play in so many familiar scenes at home, at nursery, and in the playground: a little one playing dress-up as a superhero, doctor, or astronaut; a child carefully feeding and rocking a baby doll or stuffed animal; friends hosting a pretend tea party with plastic cups and invisible biscuits; or children building a blanket fort and declaring it a secret castle no grown-up can enter. These moments might look simple, but they are incredibly rich for a child’s development.

Imaginative play matters because it supports so many essential skills. As children talk through their made-up plots and characters, they are building language skills and practising new vocabulary. When they play in a group, they learn to share ideas, take turns, and cooperate, which strengthens their social growth. Pretend play is also a safe space for emotional exploration: children act out big feelings, try on different roles, and grow in empathy by seeing things from another perspective. On top of that, every time they dream up a new adventure or find a clever way around a fictional hurdle, they are boosting their problem-solving abilities and cognitive flexibility.

Our Poppets classes for 4–6 year olds are all about this kind of imaginative play through performing arts. We harness children’s natural love of pretend and make-believe, giving them the space to invent characters, build stories, and explore feelings through drama, movement, and role-play. It’s not just about performance; it’s about nurturing confident, expressive, creative little people who feel free to turn any cardboard box into a spaceship and any room into a world of their own making. Book a FREE trial below!

PQA Selby is a weekend performing arts academy for children and young people aged 6-18, offering fun and engaging classes in comedy, drama, musical theatre, and film.

21/08/2026

Blog: Preparing little learners for big school

Preparing little learners for big school is about far more than buying a new uniform and a shiny book bag. It’s about gently building their confidence, step by step, so that when they walk through the classroom door, they feel ready to explore, learn and shine. Small everyday moments at home can make a big difference: practising independence, getting used to simple routines, and encouraging social skills all help children feel secure and proud of themselves.

Building independence starts with tiny acts of self-care. Invite your child to practise opening their lunchbox, zipping up their coat, and managing their own shoes, even if it takes a little longer at first. Show them how to look after their own jumper, bag and water bottle, and celebrate when they remember without being asked. Labelling their belongings clearly and helping them recognise their own name in lowercase print (as suggested by Learning Resources) turns a simple label into a moment of success: “That’s mine, I can find it all by myself.”

Establishing routines can also make the transition smoother and calmer. In the weeks before term starts, gradually shift sleep and meal times to match the upcoming school schedule. A visual morning chart showing each step – getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, picking up their bag – gives children a sense of control and clarity about what comes next. Even driving past or walking near the school building helps the new environment feel familiar, so that the first day feels like returning to a place they already know.

Social and emotional skills are just as important as knowing letters and numbers. Simple board games or card games, like those recommended by Lewisham Children & Family Centre, are a fun way to practise sharing, taking turns and coping with small frustrations. Make time to talk openly about feelings – excitement, nerves, curiosity – and describe what a typical classroom day might look like so there are fewer surprises. Role-play simple greetings, lining up, and asking an adult for help, so your child learns that their voice is important and that adults at school are there to support them.

At PQA Selby, we bring all of this together through the magic of performing arts. In our classes, children learn to follow routines, take turns, listen, and express big feelings in a safe, creative space. Whether they are speaking a line, joining in a song, or working as part of a group, they are quietly practising the very skills they need for school: independence, confidence, teamwork and resilience. Each performance, no matter how small, is a rehearsal for that big moment when they step into school and discover just how capable they really are.

https://www.pqacademy.com/academies/selby/

19/08/2026

Every year on 19 August, we pause to mark World Humanitarian Day – a moment to honour aid workers and people whose lives have been torn apart by crises.

This date was chosen in memory of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, in which 22 people were killed. It serves as a powerful reminder of the risks humanitarians face and the importance of protecting those who work on the frontlines of emergencies.

These photos of Sara in Rwanda reflect just a small part of the dedication and compassion shown by aid workers around the world.

Today, let’s recognise their courage, remember those who have lost their lives, and recommit to supporting global humanitarian efforts wherever they are needed.

18/08/2026

18/08/2026

I just had to share this feedback!

“S has had such a positive experience, and I’m so grateful for how welcoming and supportive everyone has been. For her, even saying she wanted to go was a huge step – she didn’t know anyone and was really unsure at first.

The kindness, encouragement and sense of community she’s received have made all the difference. She’s grown in confidence, made new friends and actually looks forward to going now. Without that support, I’m not sure she would have been able to take that leap.”

If you’re thinking about joining PQA Selby but feel nervous or don’t know anyone yet, this is exactly the kind of place that will cheer you on and help you feel at home.