A new drama school named after one of Islington's most celebrated actors is set to open its doors in Angel this weekend. The Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) will launch with a free open day on Saturday, April 24th, at Steps Studio on Goswell Road, marking the second PQA location in the borough.
Honoring a Local Legend
Pauline Quirke, best known for her iconic role in the 1980s sitcom Birds of a Feather, grew up in Islington and attended the renowned Anna Scher theatre school in Angel as a teenager. She first established her chain of academies in 2007, but has since stepped back from active involvement following her diagnosis with dementia in 2021. The first Islington PQA, personally opened by Ms Quirke in 2018, is located on Hungerford Road.
A Community-Focused Venture
Thomas Sankey, the academy's principal, expressed his pride in representing the academy in Ms Quirke's home borough. He shared with the Tribune: "I used to live in Angel, so it feels really special to be able to return and contribute to the community this way. PQA is all about giving young people a supportive space to build confidence, creativity and friendships, and I'm really proud of the environments we create for our students. I think Islington is just the best place to be, it's got such a supportive family base, people want the best for their kids here."
Reflecting on the academy's roots, Sankey added: "When I first started working here, Pauline met with all of the academy's principals individually and her family were really involved in the business as well. It was a really tight, family-run business and her son is still involved."
Inclusive and Accessible
The academy strives to be inclusive for all community members. "We try and make our centres as inclusive as possible for everyone in the community. The academy is great for children with all needs, we have writing sessions and planning sessions and we have specialist teachers that work with children with additional needs. It's not just about how high you can kick your leg here," Sankey emphasized.
Session Details
The new academy will hold three-hour sessions every Saturday from 9:15 AM to 12:30 PM at Steps Studios on Goswell Road, providing a consistent and supportive environment for young performers to develop their skills.
