Buckinghamshire Based Academy of Theatre, Dance, Film & TV

Performing Arts

Our vision is to offer personal development for young performers through performing Arts experiences that help them to fulfil their full potential.

PWA School of Performing Arts
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What We Believe

We believe that talent needs robust, consistent and high-quality training for it to reach its highest potential. Our vision is to provide this to our young performers, through personal development plans tailored to their needs, delivered in a safe environment. Not only does this result in talented performers, but also in self-discipline, leadership skills, and creative thinking, which will benefit them in all aspects of life, as well as in pursuing their passions with us.

Who is she?

Emma Peploe-Williams

At just 11 years old, Emma was accepted into the prestigious ballet school, Bush Davies, in East Grinstead, then at 16, she moved to the world class Doreen Bird College where she gained her teaching qualifications with Distinction in ISTD Qualifications. A glance at the show program of any London theatre will find at least one Bush or Bird pupil in its pages! Emma has since coached numerous pupils to audition successfully for Bird College, Mountview, Laines, AADA, Arts Ed, GSA and other prestigious top performing Arts schools in the UK & USA.

Emma Peploe Williams School of Performing Arts
Peploe Williams Academy of Performing Arts

peploe williams academy

What’s the ethos of PWA?

We are an Academy of Performing Arts, and we train children to becoming the next generation of performers. That means dedication to all of our disciplines, because to be accepted into the right college at 18, you must possess the solid foundations of the ‘Triple Threat’: singing, acting, and dance. With the expertise of our performing arts specialists, your commitment, and a touch of Emma’s magic, PWA will give your child the foundation they need to succeed.

Happy Parents and Performers

“Work hard, listen, focus, and develop your confidence. These things are the most important qualities to have - even more than possessing talent - in achieving a successful career in the performing arts.”

Emma Peploe-Williams, Founder & Principal

5.0
Based on 66 Reviews
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Claire Fletcher
September 2, 2024

My son started at PWA almost 3 years ago. It was the best decision I’ve made sending him there. Emma and her team have been fantastic. My son has developed and matured in every way. They give him the confidence and encouragement to go out on the stage and give it his all. The outstanding training he has received from Peploe Williams Academy has resulted in him being offered a place at both of the performing arts sixth forms he auditioned for. The support and guidance he has received from pwa has been invaluable and I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for him. I highly recommend PWA.

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cezceebon
April 28, 2024

We have had the pleasure of adjudicating several times for the Peploe Williams Academy. Not only do we consider this school the best place to bring your budding enthusiasts to train in the performing arts but also we believe there is nowhere quite like this academy where your children are trained properly. The training is apparent in every child, from their technique, to their posture and strong performances. It’s always a delight being invited to adjudicate for this academy as we know everyone will be amazing in every discipline in the performing arts.

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Richard Hallows
April 19, 2024

My daughter attended PWA from the age of 5 until the end of Secondary school. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there and gained a huge amount in the development of her performance skills. The opportunities offered by PWA to students are superb, with high quality shows produced, dance events, adjudication and industry recognised qualifications such as LAMDA and ISTD, as well as specialist additional training such as classical voice. This has all contributed to building a positive foundation for what she hopes to do in her future career. Thank you to Emma and the team.

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Katie Chandler
April 16, 2024

My daughter has been going to PWA since she was 5 and has gone from strength to strength. She is noticed, nurtured and encouraged and she feels safe to be her self there. I can highly recommend PWA and am grateful for their personal approach to teaching. For me it’s the right balance of stretch and safety to allow a child to try things and not be scared to make mistakes.

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Simon Arthur
April 5, 2024

My daughter loves her class… learning great routines with the support and encouragement from her fantastic teacher. Thanks PWA

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Georgia Smith
April 5, 2024

Every Saturday my daughter leaves her PWA classes with a beaming smile. She loves to sing and PWA allows her to practice and grow her passion for it. The teaching and management of PWA has the perfect balance of professionalism and nurturing for young people. I would highly recommend it.

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Jane Wolfenden
April 4, 2024

Enjoyable and fun professional dance school

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June Heath
March 22, 2024

My daughter’s confidence has grown enormously since starting the classes and she looks forward to going every time.

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Laura Black
March 21, 2024

My daughter absolutely loves being part of the Peploe Williams family. We are very pleased with the support and guidance that she is being given to help her follow her ballet dreams.

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Rod Maclean
January 19, 2024

My daughter, a dancer since she could walk, has thrived upon becoming a member of PWA. Over and above the superlative training employed by Emma in developing her dancing skills, there is little doubt that the self-expression encouraged in theatre classes and the friendships developed therein, has helped my daughter cope with both challenging home circumstances and the dramatic culture shock involved in moving from a small village primary school to the broader and much more demanding social environment of a larger secondary school. Insofar as, at the tender age of 11, my daughter has already chosen dance as a career, should she succeed, there is no doubt that the Peploe-Williams Academy will have been the primary driving force behind her success.

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Vassos Constanti
January 16, 2024

The training at this school is exemplary. Emma and her tutors are committed to giving all the students the time and effort they need to excel.

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Shelley Meredith
January 14, 2024

I have had the pleasure of being an adjudicator at this amazing place. Emma’s passion, dedication and heart is at the centre of this Academy. As a West End professional, she knows the business and the guidance she gives the students is invaluable. I was blown away by the talent of the students. They are taught all the disciplines - dancing, singing and acting in a fun and nurturing environment by the brilliant teachers who are industry professionals. Along with Emma, these teachers know how to guide and inspire the students, pushing them to be the very best they can be. The students also learn to make friends, build confidence and achieve goals. It brings me back to when I trained at Arts Ed London many years ago. As a West End professional, I look back on those years and the brilliant training I received with so much gratitude. Teachers who believe in you make all the difference in the world, bringing out the very best in you, giving you the tools to succeed. PWA has this and so much more.

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Eddie Burton
January 13, 2024

A wonderful Academy led by Emma - who is a highly experienced professional and a wise and wonderful person. It was a pleasure adjudicating for such well-run school - seeing the development of many young happy professionals-in-the-making x

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Chaya Gupta
January 11, 2024

I'm so grateful for pwa. I started there when I was 8 and stayed all the way until 18. They built me as a person with confidence, gave me skills and understanding of what's needed in order to grow in and enjoy working in this business including attitude towards/comfortability with auditions and levels of professionalism. I was truly nurtured there, and 9 years later am still supported by Emma, coming to my drama school shows and now my professional ones. It's still some of my fondest memories

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Karen Boulton
January 10, 2024

My daughter has been part of PWA for the past 7 years and absolutely loves it! She looks forward to her dance and musical theatre lessons every week and has made some amazing friends through the academy. The teaching and approach to lessons, exams and shows is so professional, but also a lot of fun. She has learnt so much, not only how to perform technically but she has also gained so much confidence. I would recommend PWA to anyone who wants to pursue a career in performing arts or simply wants to explore and enjoy singing, dancing and acting!

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Megan Carole
January 9, 2024

There are never enough words to describe my experience for PWA. I wholeheartedly recommend Peploe-Williams Academy for any young person aspiring to enter the performing arts industry. Having attended for over 12 years, I can attest that Emma's exceptional training is the most fundamental training I’ve ever received. The academy not only provides invaluable skills but also allows each student to be unapologetically them in a safe and honest environment where they can reach their full potential. I am immensely grateful for the guidance and training received, shaping me into a confident and skilled performer I am today. Thank you, Peploe-Williams Academy, for being the foundation of my journey in the performing arts.

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