A Birmingham theatre, tv and film training academy has impressed OFSTED with ‘huge achievements’. BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy opened in the centre of Birmingham in September 2021 and today have announced the results of their first ever full OFSTED inspection back at the beginning of May.
The academy trains post-16 students in theatre, tv and film production with industry-standard facilities and practitioner led teaching. Their overall OFSTED grade was good, with behaviour and attitudes being awarded outstanding. The inspectors were very impressed with the community in the academy and highly praised the achievements since opening in the last two years.
The OFSTED inspectors said: “You should all be so proud of the work you have done here. Very impressive. Huge achievements in such a short time. If there was an “Outstanding Plus” grade available for Behaviours and Attitudes, you would have got it. You will change the industry through what you are doing here.”
Michael Painter, Principal of BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy, said: “We are delighted with the result! The report is full of praise and positive comments about staff, students, and stakeholders. We are proud that our students are training to be the next generation of creative storytellers; directors, writers, set designers, costume makers, make-up and hair technicians, lighting designers, sound technicians, filmmakers, event organisers, presenters and journalists. It couldn’t have happened without the support of everyone involved in making this happen. Ultimately the inspectors came to see if the quality of education in our classrooms, workshops, studios, and theatre is of a good standard. They came to see if our students and teachers are as brilliant as we say they are. The verdict – YES!”
Kate Tague, CEO of The BOA Group, said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the OFSTED result for BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy. The teachers place students with fantastic industry professionals to make their training unique and so that they are work ready for the industry in Birmingham and across the UK. I am so proud of all the hard work from everybody involved in this great achievement.”
BOA Stage & Screen Production provides an industry-led approach to developing the skills and experience of young people who are passionate about working in film TV, online and theatre production.
The free academy is for post 16 students from Birmingham and across the region seeking top qualifications, up-to-date practical training, and firsthand experience, which can propel the first steps to a career in tandem with a traditional academic 6th form education. Designed to spark talent and creativity, the BOA Stage and Screen Production curriculum is made up of a series of pathways broadly centred around Media, Theatre Crafts and Technical Sound & Lighting, with opportunities too to develop acting, creative writing, management and freelancing skills. The pathways are titled:
BOA Stage and Screen have just released a brand-new course, make-up & hair for theatre, tv and film. Places to study are offered following participation in a series of workshops, designed to assess your aptitude for your preferred specialism. If you have the raw talent - no matter your previous experience or qualification - there is a strong chance that BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy is for you. Students embrace and create real world projects where students can lead the way and learn first-hand from the best in the industry. Following their two-year course, students go onto higher education, apprenticeships or straight into full time employment. BOA Stage and Screen have also introduced a Level 4 course for college-leavers to help them gain industry experience in production companies in Birmingham.
The creative industries generate £108 billion a year and employ over 2.3 million people in the country. With growing technological advances and more production companies moving to the midlands, students at BOA Stage and Screen will help bridge the skills shortage in the production industry, both in Birmingham and further afield. The academy has a limited number of places available for September 2024. You can find out more about BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy at www.trainbackstage.com
