05:00PM, Wednesday 19 November 2025
A performing arts school is celebrating after one of its teachers received national recognition at the academy’s annual awards this month.
Charlotte Hardick, Vice Principal at The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) in Maidenhead, won the Excellence in Student Experience Award at the ceremony.
She was one of just 16 winners selected from more than 1,200 PQA teachers nationwide for her dedication to nurturing aspiring actors and comedians.
The awards celebrate creativity, commitment, and excellence in teaching young people, and Charlotte described it as ‘lovely’ to have the team’s hard work acknowledged.
Speaking about her achievement on November 1, Charlotte said: “I am really proud of the work that we as the team at PQA Maidenhead achieve, and it is lovely to see it recognised.
“What we do at PQA Maidenhead is over and above training for performing arts, and this can be seen in the growth in confidence and performance skills of our students.”
Charlotte has been part of PQA Maidenhead for 13 years, starting as a Comedy and Drama teacher and now serving as Vice Principal.
She has broad experience in theatre, TV, and film, having trained at Rose Bruford in London and spent a year at St Mary’s University of Minnesota in the USA.
Charlotte is also a qualified dramatherapist (HCPC) and passionate about using creativity to make a positive difference.
Liz Charleston, Principal at PQA Amersham, High Wycombe & Maidenhead, said Charlotte has been key to the academy’s success.
She added: “Charlotte is excellent at working inclusively to meet the needs of our young performers, allowing them a safe space to explore the performing arts and work on their confidence.
“As well as inspiring the students, Charlotte is also great at managing the teaching team.
“We were all very excited and thrilled that Charlotte has been recognised for her hard work and dedication - she really deserves this award.”
Founded in 2007 by Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke MBE and her husband Steve, PQA now has over 200 academies nationwide.
PQA Maidenhead runs weekend sessions at Furze Platt Senior School, offering sessions every Saturday morning and afternoon.
It is considered a safe and inclusive environment where children can develop performing arts skills, with opportunities in story writing, TV, filmmaking, as well as singing, dancing, and acting.
The main academy offers three-hour sessions for young performers, actors and filmmakers aged between 6 and 18 in Comedy and Drama, Musical Theatre and Film and Television.
The 90-minute Poppets classes introduce children aged 4 – 6 to singing, dancing and acting.
For those interested in booking a child in for a free session at PQA Maidenhead, visit the PQA website here www.pqacademy.com/academies/maidenhead/
Most read
Top Articles
Police officers were called to the Shell Garage in Burnham Lane shortly before 1.45am on Tuesday following reports a woman had suffered serious injuries.
Archive M4 image.
M4 drivers have been warned to expect delays after a multi-vehicle crash near Slough this afternoon (November 4).
Officers were called to the Shell garage, in Burnham Lane, in the early hours of Tuesday morning following reports of a woman suffering serious injuries.
© Copyright 2024 Baylis Community Media CIC All right reserved
