Stagecoach Royal Wootton Bassett & Malmesbury

Welcome to Stagecoach Royal Wootton Bassett. 

Our fantastic team of teachers provide a safe and fun learning environment in which children can thrive and be the best version of themselves. We work together and support each other, one team, one Stagecoach family.

We offer more than just learning how to sing, dance and act. We help children stand up and be heard, be a team player and to embrace each other's differences. 

Whether your child is interested in a career in the performing arts or not, their time at Stagecoach will be inavualble. As young adults, our students confidently walk into an interview, shake someone's hand and even present in public. They confidently present themselves on those occasions we teach them how to succeed in whatever life throws at them. 
 
If you have a confident singing, dancing diva at home or a child who would benefit from a boost in confidence, we would love to welcome your family for a two-week trial.  We often find during the trial, children realise they found 'their people' and they start to build life-long friendships. 

Principal James Barker

Your child is in safe hands. All of our Team are Enhanced DBS checked.


Noticeboard

Summer Show in a Week

Calling all 6 to 18-year-olds, join us for a jam-packed week filled with tons of singing, dance & drama! This super creative and collaborative 5 days will allow your children & teens to work closely with our dynamic creative role models, to achieve a big show, which we'll present on the final day. (Two different weeks July & August Dates)

Summer Workshop 4-6 y/o

Calling all 4 to 6-year-olds, join us for a Lyle Lyle Crocodile-inspired 4.5-day Workshop in August! In addition to lots of singing, dance, and drama, we will also be doing some Arts and Crafts, we might have a chilled hour in front of a movie (if they get tired) and we will get out in the playground for some fresh air too! No experience required!

Summer Workshop 4-6 y/o

Calling all 4 to 6 year olds, join us for a Superhero inspired 4.5 day Workshop in July! In addition to lots of singing, dance and drama, we will also be doing some Arts and Crafts, we might have a chilled hour in front of movie (if they get tired) and we will get out in the play ground for some fresh air too! No experience required!

What's NEW in RWB?

We are thrilled to announce that in addition to our already successful classes on a Thursday and Friday in Malmesbury and on a Saturday in RWB, we are now opening NEW Friday Classes in Royal Wootton Bassett from September 2025! Why not join us for a two-week trial? We would LOVE to welcome your family!

NEW 2 hr Class 6 to 8 y/o

Since we opened in Malmesbury in September 2024, we notice that our Stage 1 students aged 6 to 8 were struggling with three hours of Stagecoach on a school night, so we are now delighted to announce that we will be opening a two hour session on a Thursday for that age group and for our NEW Friday Class in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Autumn Term 2 to 4 Years

During the Autumn Term our Mini Stages STARS aged 2 to 4 year, we will be using the jungle to inspire our Singing, Dance and Drama classes. Our Mini Stages Explorers will be swinging from the trees and making friends with all the jungle animals! This is going to be our BEST TERM YET!

Autumn Term 4 to 6 Years

The Autumn Term is DEMO TERM in Early Stages and we will be jumping onboard our imaginary hot air balloon each and every week. We will be flying to exciting places around the world and celebrate the singing, dance and story telling in all the places we visit. This is set to be our BEST TERM YET!

Autumn Term 6 to 18 Years

Autumn Term is SHOW TERM for our Main Stages STARS ages 6 to 18 Years and we will be using 'Beauty and the Beast' as inspiration for our show! It is a term jam-packed with singing, dance and drama

Weekly Classes

Mini Stages (for ages 2-4 yrs)

Mini Stages
Stagecoach Mini Stages (for 2 -4 year olds) 45 Minute Classes are a fun and exciting way for you and your child to actively experience the performing arts in a comfortable, relaxed and safe environment.

Early Stages (for ages 4-6 yrs)

Stagecoach Early Stages

Early Stages classes run alongside the main Stagecoach schools, where young people learn skills in each of the three Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama, so it is an easy step when it is time to transfer to the next stage. (90 minutes each week).

Main Stages (for ages 6-18 yrs)

Stagecoach Main Stages
Main Stages classes are split in three age appropriate groups, where young people learn new skills in each of the complementary Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama. We nurture the shy and apprehensive, until they find their feet and voice, whilst at the same time developing and channelling those with bundles of talent, confidence and energy. We believe in the potential of every child!

(3 hrs each week)

Holiday Workshops

Meet The Team

Principal - James Barker

With over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry and performing arts education, James brings a wealth of expertise, creativity, and passion to everything he does—remarkable, considering he's still only 27 (at least, that’s what he likes to say!).

James began his career as an “all-singing, all-dancing” Butlin’s Redcoat in Bognor Regis, laying a strong foundation for a dynamic and diverse journey in entertainment. From there, he took to the high seas with Princess Cruises, where he quickly rose through the ranks—from hosting dance classes and game shows to becoming Deputy Cruise Director and eventually Cruise Director. In this role, he led a team of over 120 performers and production crew, overseeing theatre shows, live broadcasts, and high-calibre entertainment operations. He was proud to serve as the inaugural Cruise Director on several brand-new ships, a testament to his leadership and showmanship.

Returning to land, James took on the role of Director of Entertainment at Warner Leisure Hotels, where he was responsible for shaping the entertainment experience across all Warner properties in the UK. One of his proudest achievements was collaborating with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to bring bespoke performances—usually reserved for venues like the Royal Albert Hall—to Warner’s stages.

Twelve years ago, James and his husband adopted two children, a life-changing decision that inspired a new chapter. Seeking a better balance between career and family, James purchased his first Stagecoach Performing Arts School in 2016. Since then, he has dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of performers.

As a busy dad—one of his children being neurodiverse—James brings empathy, warmth, and deep personal understanding to his role. His lived experience helps him relate to the families he serves and fuels his passion for creating inclusive, supportive, and inspiring learning environments.

James says:

“People often ask me, especially those new to Stagecoach, ‘You’ve been here many years—what makes it so special?’ For me, the answer is simple. Our product gives children the freedom to be who they want to be. It offers them a safe space to grow in confidence and develop resilience for an uncertain future. We equip them with tools to thrive in the adult world, whilst being 100% present in their childhood—making friends, finding their people, having fun, and putting on some incredible productions.”

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