CAPA College
CAPA College is a DfE-funded Free School in Wakefield delivering two-year specialist performing arts training (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, Production) to 500+ students aged 16-19, with 100% A*-C results and the UK's first Ofsted 'Exceptional in All Areas' 16-19 rating.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersWakefield, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CAPA College does
CAPA College is a DfE-funded Free School located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, operating since September 2018 as part of Enhance Academy Trust (a Church of England Multi-Academy Trust established in 2012). The institution delivers two-year full-time specialist training in Creative and Performing Arts to 500+ students aged 16-19 across five pathways: Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, and Production. All students study the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts, with optional A Levels or Extended Project qualifications. The college operates from a single campus opposite Wakefield Westgate station, equipped with professional-grade facilities including the 200-seat Mulberry Playhouse auditorium, four sprung-floor dance studios, the Box Theatre black-box space, the Yorkshire Picture House cinema with 4K Barco projection and Dolby surround, a 360-degree Infinity Cove photography/filmmaking studio, an 800-capacity outdoor amphitheatre, and a professional recording studio.
The business model rests on four revenue streams: (1) Department for Education core funding, which underwrites free tuition for all 16-19 students; (2) ancillary fee income from CHARGE youth performance companies and classes at £18.75 per class for ages 8-16; (3) commercial Space Hire of professional venues and studios to external event organizers, film productions and corporate clients; and (4) donations and grants from trusts including Garfield Weston, Foyle, Wolfson, Backstage, Helen Hamlyn, Mackintosh and Universal Music UK Sound Foundation, plus capital campaigns selling inscribed bricks (£200+) and Pathway to the Stars (£750+). Education is provided free at point of use.
The college differentiates on outcomes rather than price: it claims 100% A*-C graduate results, top 1% nationally for student progress, No.1 in West Yorkshire for 2025 results, and in 2026 became the first 16-19 provider in England to receive Ofsted's 'Exceptional in All Areas' distinction. Graduate progression includes RADA, LAMDA, Guildhall and Rambert School, with visible alumni in West End productions (Wicked, Hamilton, Six), Netflix's Adolescence, and Strictly Come Dancing. Additional products include the CHARGE youth programme (ages 8-16), Summer School, Year 10 Taster Days, the annual AMPLIFY Arts Festival, and a Singer Songwriter Programme delivered in partnership with Tileyard North. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the college website, open days, and regional dance/convention presence (Move It, Musical Con, U Dance, National Theatre Connections).
CAPA College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAPA College
- Legal name
- CAPA College
- Website
- https://capa.college
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CAPA College is a DfE-funded Free School in Wakefield delivering two-year specialist performing arts training (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, Production) to 500+ students aged 16-19, with 100% A*-C results and the UK's first Ofsted 'Exceptional in All Areas' 16-19 rating.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAPA College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)
Keywords
Where CAPA College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wakefield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CAPA College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- DfE Core Funding: As a DfE-funded Free School, CAPA College receives government funding for core activity and teaching. Education for students aged 16-19 is free of charge.
- Additional Support and Donations: The college seeks additional support from individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations to enhance the curriculum, provide industry-standard equipment and expand opportunities for young creatives across Yorkshire and the North of England.
- Space Hire: CAPA College hires out its professional facilities including The Mulberry Playhouse (200-seat auditorium), The Box Theatre, Performance Studios, Yorkshire Picture House cinema, Infinity Cove, Amphitheatre and Meeting Rooms to external organisations for events, conferences, performances and film screenings.
- CHARGE Companies Fees: Weekly youth performance companies (CHARGE Dance, CHARGE Musical Theatre, CHARGE Stage & Screen) for ages 11-16 are charged at £18.75 per class on a termly basis. Free places available for FSM-eligible students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full-time 16-19 education - Free |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | CHARGE Companies - £18.75 per class |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Summer School - Not publicly disclosed |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Pathway to the Stars - from £750 |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Brick by Brick - from £200 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
CAPA College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAPA College is a DfE-funded Free School delivering two-year full-time specialist training and education in Creative and Performing Arts for students aged 16-19, with five pathways (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, Production) leading to the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. It also operates the CHARGE youth programme offering free weekly dance classes and paid performance companies for ages 8-16, and generates ancillary revenue by hiring out professional facilities (auditorium, cinema, studios, amphitheatre) to external organisations.
Product overview
CAPA College is a DfE-funded specialist Creative and Performing Arts College for 16-19 year olds offering five specialist two-year full-time pathways: Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, and Production. All students study the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts, with optional additional qualifications (A Levels or Extended Project). The college operates CHARGE, its youth arts program offering free dance classes (CHARGE Boys/B-Girls) and paid performance companies (CHARGE Dance/Musical Theatre/Stage & Screen) for ages 8-16. Annual programs include the AMPLIFY Arts Festival and Summer School. The college also offers venue hire through its professional facilities including a 200-seat auditorium, cinema, dance studios, and outdoor amphitheatre.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CHARGE: CAPA College's dynamic in-house Youth Performance Companies and specialist training classes for ages 8-16, including CHARGE Dance, CHARGE Musical Theatre, and CHARGE Stage & Screen companies, as well as CHARGE Boys and CHARGE B-Girls free weekly dance classes.
Products and services
- Dance Pathway Two-year full-time specialist dance training programme for students aged 16-19 covering contemporary, commercial, jazz, ballet, aerial, hip-hop, tap and other styles, leading to the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts with optional A Level Dance or Extended Project Qualification.
- Drama Pathway Two-year full-time specialist drama training for students aged 16-19 covering stage and screen acting, devised and scripted performance, physical theatre, stage combat, acting for camera, and drama analysis, leading to the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma with optional A Level Drama or Extended Project Qualification.
- Musical Theatre Pathway Two-year full-time integrated musical theatre training for students aged 16-19 combining singing, dancing and acting with vocal repertoire, song and dance, acting technique, and page-to-stage work. Includes the exclusive Singer Songwriter Programme (with Tileyard North) covering vocal recording, music production and songwriting. Leads to UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
- Film & TV Pathway Two-year full-time hands-on filmmaking and TV production programme for students aged 16-19 covering pre-production (theory, screenwriting, location scouting), production (directing, camera, broadcasting, cinematography) and post-production (editing, visual FX, colour grading) using industry-standard equipment including the 360-degree Infinity Cove and Yorkshire Picture House cinema. Leads to UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma.
- Production Pathway Two-year full-time technical and creative theatre and live events training programme for students aged 16-19, covering rigging, lighting, sound, AV, costume, make-up, prosthetics, set design and stage management. Leads to UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.
- CHARGE Classes Free weekly youth dance classes for ages 8-16 under the CHARGE brand, including CHARGE Boys (male-presenting, ages 11-16) and CHARGE B-Girls (female-presenting, ages 8-11), teaching breakin' fundamentals and all-round dance skills. Acts as a feeder pipeline into the college's full-time programmes.
- CHARGE Companies Paid weekly youth performance companies for ages 11-16 covering contemporary and commercial dance (CHARGE Dance), singing/dancing/acting (CHARGE Musical Theatre), and theatre and filmmaking (CHARGE Stage & Screen). Charged at £18.75 per class on a termly basis with free places available to FSM-eligible students. Companies create original work and perform at regional and national venues.
- Summer School One-week performing arts summer school held annually in August for ages 8-16 at CAPA College in Wakefield, featuring masterclasses in singing, dancing, drama and fitness delivered by West End stars and CAPA College faculty, culminating in a showcase performance. Limited Free School Meal places available; price not publicly listed.
- Space Hire Facilities Hire of CAPA College's professional arts venues and studios to external organisations for events, conferences, performances and film screenings. Inventory includes the 200-seat Mulberry Playhouse, 200m² Box Theatre, four sprung-floor dance studios (104-144m²), Yorkshire Picture House cinema with 4K Barco projector and Dolby surround sound, the 360-degree Infinity Cove, the 800-capacity outdoor amphitheatre, and meeting rooms.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% A*-C results for graduates
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CAPA College
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CAPA College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
CAPA College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)coreGraduate destination institution; CAPA College alumni have secured places at this prestigious London drama school.
- LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art)coreGraduate destination institution; alumni progression to this renowned London conservatoire.
- Guildhall School of Music & DramacoreGraduate destination institution; alumni progression to this prestigious London conservatoire.
- Rambert SchoolcoreGraduate destination institution; alumni progression to this renowned dance conservatoire.
- One Dance UKcorePartnership with One Dance UK for U.Dance National Festival. Students selected to perform at Sadler's Wells East. CAPA College Principal Claire Nicholson serves as judge for One Dance UK Awards 2026.
- Tileyard NorthcoreExclusive collaboration with Tileyard North on the Singer Songwriter Programme. Students develop original songs through months of writing and collaboration with industry professionals.
- Production Park / Academy of Live Technology (ALT)coreProfessional relationship with globally renowned Production Park. Students gained arena production experience through collaborative performance. ALT is a further education academy where students learn on a campus where world-famous tours and productions are staged.
- National TheatrecoreAnnual participation in National Theatre Connections youth theatre festival. Students perform commissioned plays written by contemporary writers, with potential to progress to National Theatre in London.
- York Dance SpaceminorHost of Everybody Dance Festival where CHARGE Dance and B-Girls performed. Students participated in workshops and performed in evening showcase.
- Yorkshire DanceminorInvited as guest performance at FRESH 2026, Yorkshire's youth dance festival. Part of U.Dance Regional platform.
- Linden Dance CompanyminorCollaboration during Beautiful Futures Youth Dance Exchange. CHARGE Boys worked alongside Linden Dance Company and other organisations.
- Chambers Dance CreativesminorPartnership in Beautiful Futures Youth Dance Exchange for creative collaboration and skill development.
- The Arthouse UKminorNeighbouring organisation hosting production workshops for CAPA College students in an inspiring artistic space.
- National Youth TheatreminorProduction students supported technical and stage management elements of National Youth Theatre's Connections Festival at CAST in Doncaster.
- York Dance SpaceminorCHARGE Boys performed as part of Beautiful Futures Youth Dance Exchange with collaboration alongside Linden Dance Company and Chambers Dance Creatives.
- Cast DoncastercoreRegional partner theatre for National Theatre Connections festival. CHARGE Stage & Screen students performed 'Macbeth x5' at Cast as part of the national youth theatre festival.
- Backstage Academy (Training) LtdminorFounding Patron of CAPA College.
- Tileyard EducationminorFounding Patron and education partner of CAPA College.
- Enhance Academy TrustcoreMulti-Academy Trust that CAPA College is part of as a DfE-funded Free School. A Church of England MAT comprising primary schools across Wakefield and Kirklees and the post-16 Creative and Performing Arts college.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CAPA College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bird College: Sidcup-based specialist performing arts college covering dance, musical theatre and performing arts at further/higher education level. Comparable vocational diploma structure, industry partnerships and progression-to-industry outcomes.
- BRIT School: The UK's most prominent state-funded performing and creative arts school for 14-19 year olds (Croydon). Serves the same student demographic with multi-discipline creative arts pathways funded by government grants, making it the closest structural peer to CAPA College.
- ArtsEd (Arts Educational Schools): Independent performing arts school in London offering secondary, sixth-form and degree-level training across dance, drama and musical theatre. Comparable specialism, qualifications (incl. UAL-aligned diplomas) and progression routes to conservatoire and West End.
- Performers College (formerly Urdang): London-based performing arts college with degree-equivalent and further-education programmes in dance, musical theatre and acting. Most comparable in terms of diploma-based post-16 pathway model and alumni outcomes in West End productions.
- Laine Theatre Arts: Surrey-based performing arts college delivering full-time vocational training in dance, musical theatre and acting, with strong West End placement track record. Comparable size, scope and target audience to CAPA College.
- Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts: One of the UK's oldest specialist performing arts schools, providing full-time vocational training in dance, drama and musical theatre. Directly comparable curriculum structure, student outcomes (West End/Broadway placements) and competitive landscape overlap.
- Sylvia Young Theatre School: London-based specialist performing arts secondary school covering dance, drama and singing for school-age students. Highly comparable full-time arts training model with performance-led curriculum and progression to West End/conservatoire.
- Elmhurst Dance School (formerly Elmhurst Ballet School): Birmingham-based specialist dance school offering pre-16 and post-16 elite dance training with academic qualifications. Comparable multi-pathway model for CAPA's Dance pathway and similar progression into professional ballet/contemporary careers.
- Tring Park School for the Performing Arts: Hertfordshire-based specialist boarding school for the performing arts (dance, drama, musical theatre, singing, film), serving 11-19 year olds with academic and vocational qualifications. Closely comparable mission, age range and discipline mix.
Broad incumbents
- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA): Degree-grading specialist performing arts higher education institution co-founded by Paul McCartney. Provides the same conservatoire-level progression CAPA students target, but operates as a university-level HEI rather than a 16-19 college.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAPA College social profiles
Digital presenceCAPA College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAPA College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
CAPA College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAPA College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAPA College
What does CAPA College do?
CAPA College is a DfE-funded Free School delivering two-year full-time specialist training and education in Creative and Performing Arts for students aged 16-19, with five pathways (Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Film & TV, Production) leading to the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts. It also operates the CHARGE youth programme offering free weekly dance classes and paid performance companies for ages 8-16, and generates ancillary revenue by hiring out professional facilities (auditorium, cinema, studios, amphitheatre) to external organisations.
Is CAPA College a public or private company?
CAPA College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CAPA College founded?
CAPA College was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CAPA College based?
CAPA College is headquartered in Wakefield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CAPA College make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. DfE Core Funding is the primary driver. The others are additional Support and Donations, space Hire and CHARGE Companies Fees.
Who are CAPA College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bird College, BRIT School, ArtsEd (Arts Educational Schools), Performers College (formerly Urdang), Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Sylvia Young Theatre School, Elmhurst Dance School (formerly Elmhurst Ballet School) and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does CAPA College have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAPA College.
What industry is CAPA College in?
CAPA College's product category is Performing Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAJAD, Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre), with a secondary code of EDAAAGAE, Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 8200.