This week, Warrington & Vale Royal College is reflecting on three years of its Advanced Creative & Digital Skills Academy.
Over the past three years, the ACDS Academy, equipped with impressive facilities and creative spaces, has been home to the college’s acting, art, dance, games, and graphics courses for both school leavers and adults, providing exciting pathways into these fast-growing industries.
This technological hub, which officially opened its doors in March 2023, was made possible thanks to a £2million investment from the Department for Education. Three years on, the ACDS Academy is a lively and supportive base for prospective performers, film directors, and games designers to step closer to their dream careers.
The academy itself boats impressive facilities including a motion-capture studio, cutting-edge PCs, the latest industry-standard software, a 160-seat theatre with specialist lighting rigs and sound equipment, dancing studios with sprung floors, purpose-built art workshops, and a soundproofed TV and recording studio. The academy also hosts some of the most important dates in the college’s calendar; welcoming guest speakers and holding informative talks during the college’s annual Open Evenings.
Over the years, several exciting employer partnerships have been forged, including close collaboration with 10:10 Games, Liverpool Empire Theatre, Screen Manchester, and Culture Warrington. Each employer partnership has provided students with opportunities to learn from industry professionals and develop their skills through live briefs, interactive workshops, and meaningful industry placements.
Following the launch, the ACDS has become a focal point for Warrington & Vale Royal College’s community interactions. Notably, the hub is home to the college’s annual Dance Academy – a 4-week professionally led dance programme offered to local high school pupils. Building on this commitment to nurturing young talent, the college recently hosted another successful Young Artist of the Year competition, a well-established ACDS event that brings talented pupils from across Warrington, Runcorn, and Cheshire together to showcase their artistic flair.
As the popular Warrington college reflects on the years since the ACDS Academy first opened its doors, Curriculum Manager for Creative Arts, Kelly Broughton, said: “I am really proud of what our students have achieved in these past three years. The work that has been produced has been fantastic and it has been so rewarding to see what our students achieve beyond their time at the ACDS Academy. I am looking to welcoming a new cohort of talented students to this fabulous facility in September.”
For those currently interested in all things creative, performance, and digital, Warrington & Vale Royal College offers a range of different courses, at varying entry levels, for school leavers and adults. To learn more and apply, head to the college’s website: https://wvr.ac.uk/facilities/advanced-creative-digital-skills-acds-academy
