The Key to Unlocking Creative Young Minds

Every child learns in their own unique way, with some thriving through traditional academic methods while others benefiting from more creative and hands-on experiences. Participating in the performing arts offers an invaluable opportunity for children to explore different ways of learning and self-expression, in a way that benefits all young people.

As students prepare for mocks and then summer exams, the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming. But what many parents may overlook is the invaluable role performing arts can play in supporting academic achievement. Beyond creativity and self-expression, performing arts offer children transferable skills that bolster their confidence, resilience, and cognitive abilities, skills that are essential for success in the classroom and beyond. At Razzamataz Theatre Schools, we have 25 years’ experience in performing arts education and watching our students flourish.

 

 

Enhancing Social Mobility and Leadership Skills

One remarkable story comes from Jessica, a former Razzamataz Medway student from a low-income family who went on to become a UK parliamentary and policy advisor, as well as a UN Ambassador. Recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 outstanding future leaders of African &  African Caribbean descent, Jessica attributes much of her confidence and success to her time at Razzamataz: “My world became much bigger through the arts, and it was one of the greatest gifts I could ever have as a young person,” she explained.

Jessica’s journey underscores the critical role that performing arts can play in building social mobility and developing the confidence required for leadership roles. Through acting, singing, and dance, students learn to communicate effectively, empathise with others, and present themselves confidently, skills that serve them well in professional and academic environments.

 

 

Building Communication and Empathy

Ella Lacey, now a teacher working with children with autism, credits her time at Razzamataz Sheffield with shaping her teaching career. Starting at age 15 and leaving when she graduated at 18, Ella reflects on the life-changing experiences she had, including winning The Stage scholarship and performing on a West End stage.

“Razzamataz gave me leadership skills, communication skills, time management, and resilience,” says Ella. “All of these have benefited me in my teaching career. The safe space Razzamataz provided allowed me to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain the confidence I have today.”

These communication and leadership skills are directly applicable to subjects like English, history, and even science, where students must articulate ideas clearly, engage in group projects, and present findings confidently.

 

Nurturing Confidence and Teamwork

Daniela Dawkins attended Razzamataz Carlisle for 11 years and is now a primary school teacher with a passion for fitness and coaching children. She recalls initially being a shy child who didn’t want to leave her mother. Through performing arts, she learned to push herself out of her comfort zone and developed essential skills like teamwork and self-discipline.

“Razzamataz taught me to push myself out of my comfort zone,” says Daniela.

“Through performing in the annual shows, I became more confident in myself and what I could achieve.”

While the children love being part of all the shows and performances that Razzamataz offer, many don’t realise they are learning skills that will help them with their studies. These include teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability, not to mention overcoming any fears they may have about stepping on stage.

 

Fostering Resilience and Self-Belief

Isabella Graham, a Health Care Assistant in the paediatric department of A&E, credits Razzamataz with teaching her resilience and helping her build confidence. “I was never the most confident or outgoing person, but when I was at Razzamataz, I felt like a different person,” she shares.

Performing arts help children develop the courage to take risks and the resilience to learn from mistakes, qualities that are essential during exam preparation and in navigating academic challenges.

Encouraging Creativity and Problem-Solving

Creativity is often discovered through the arts, but it directly supports problem-solving and innovative thinking in subjects such as mathematics, science, and design too.

After attending Razzamataz Carlisle for 11 years, Hannah-Mae, became an Assistant Video Producer in London. While she did not pursue a performing arts career, she finds the creative skills she gained invaluable in her current role.

“The skills I learned at Razzamataz are super transferable,” says Hannah-Mae. “From writing scripts and prop buying to teamwork and communication, all these experiences have shaped my ability to produce creative content.”

 

 

Support Your Child’s Development

Secure a FREE taster session at your local Razzamataz school:
https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/schools/regions/

Lead Your Own Razzamataz School

Book an online Discovery Den:

https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/franchise-opps/book-discovery-den/

First day of starting your new business, what should you do?

The answer is probably not what you expect. The truth is right from day one, you should be considering your exit strategy, which will include a succession plan.

Why? Because building a business with the end in mind ensures you make strategic decisions that increase its value, scalability, and long-term success. Whether you plan to sell, pass it on, or step back eventually, having a clear roadmap will shape how you structure operations, financials, and leadership.

The benefit of being part of a franchise network is that we don’t expect you to do this alone. Supporting all our franchisees with this is Hayley, our business coach and former multi-award winning franchisee who sold Razzamataz Medway for a significant amount with her business partner Emily after an initial investment of just £10,000.

“One of the biggest lessons my experience in business has taught me, franchising and beyond, is that real value isn’t just in the numbers – it’s in the people, the vision, and the legacy you build. From day one, we focused on creating something deeper than just a business, bringing our team into that vision and setting a strong foundation for the future.  When you think long-term, invest in people, and grow with purpose, exciting things happen. It’s great to see others embracing that mindset and watching where it takes them,” Hayley.

During Hayley’s mentoring sessions, she supports each franchisee to work out their own roadmap and discover what their succession plan could look like. This highly individual and strategic approach allows them to build a business that aligns with their long-term goals. By focusing on sustainable growth and structured planning, Hayley ensures that each franchisee has the clarity and confidence to create a future-proof business.

Hayley’s top 5 tips

• Define Your Vision – Know where you want your business to go and what success looks like in the short and long term. That’s not just about the numbers, it’s about the people and the impact that you can make.
• Establish Strong Systems – Create processes that allow the business to run smoothly without relying solely on you. This is something that you will be guided on during your initial training, but it’s important to maintain this.
• Prioritise Financial Planning – Keep your finances in order from day one, tracking revenue, expenses, and profitability. How will you assess your growth month to month if you don’t do this?
• Build a Strong Team – Invest in your people to help bring your vision to life.
• Think About Who Will Take Over – Razzamataz Medway was sold to a long-term teacher who was already invested in the brand. This made perfect sense, as students and families already had a strong connection with her, creating a seamless transition. Since taking over, she has continued to grow the school, building on its existing success.

Curious about joining the Razzamataz network? Click her to find out more: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/franchise-opps/book-discovery-den/