What ages does PQA Dubai at Arbor School take?

Poppets is listed for ages 4-7 and the Main Academy for ages 6-18, split into Green (6-9), Blue (10-12) and Red (13-18) groups.

When are the classes?

Saturdays at The Arbor School, Al Furjan: Poppets 9:00-10:30 and Main Academy 9:00-12:00, in term time.

How much does it cost?

Poppets: AED 237.50 for a two-week trial, AED 1,425 for a full term. Main Academy: AED 475 for a two-week trial, AED 2,850 for a full term, with 25% off for siblings.

Can my child try it before joining?

Yes - every new student can start with a paid two-week trial, after which the principal explains how to continue.

What do Main Academy classes cover?

An hour each of Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television, built around group projects.

What should my child wear?

Comfortable clothing they can move in and suitable footwear. Poppets get a free PQA t-shirt; Main Academy students wear a PQA t-shirt bought from the principal.

Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Dubai

ArtDrama

New to Waha

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Al Furjan

Trial class

Ages4+years and up
PriceAED 1,425a term, lowest price
OpenAskNot published yet
WhereAl FurjanOpen in Maps

Book online

Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) Dubai is the Dubai arm of the performing arts academy that Pauline Quirke MBE and her husband Steve Sheen opened in the UK in 2007, and it is KHDA-registered. This listing is its Saturday academy at The Arbor School in Al Furjan. Poppets (listed for ages 4-7) runs 9:00-10:30 with singing, acting and movement; the Main Academy (ages 6-18) runs 9:00-12:00, with an hour each of Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television. Main Academy students are grouped by age into Green (6-9), Blue (10-12) and Red (13-18). Classes are built around group projects rather than exams, and the Film & Television hour uses professional cameras and sound gear. Fees are published: a two-week trial is AED 237.50 for Poppets and AED 475 for the Main Academy, and a full term is AED 1,425 and AED 2,850 respectively, with 25% off for siblings in the Main Academy. The academy is led by Principal Rosie Howard.

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The activity

Drama, explained

Drama classes bring together acting, singing and dancing so kids build confidence performing in front of others, not just technical skill in one discipline. A typical performing-arts session might rotate through musical theatre, comedy and drama, or filmmaking, working towards showcases rather than exams. It builds public speaking, teamwork, memory and self-expression, and suits children who like being part of a group as much as being on stage. Younger children usually start with shorter, playful singing-and-dancing sessions before moving into longer, multi-discipline classes as they get older.

Who it's for

Poppets is listed for ages 4-7 (the branch page also describes it as for 4-6 year olds); the Main Academy takes ages 6-18, grouped Green 6-9, Blue 10-12 and Red 13-18. Nothing is published on additional-needs provision - ask the provider.

What to expect

Every new student can start with a two-week trial to meet the team and join in with academy projects; the principal then explains how to continue. Sessions are on Saturday mornings at The Arbor School: Poppets 9:00-10:30, Main Academy 9:00-12:00, rotating through Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television. Kids should wear comfortable clothing they can move in and suitable footwear. Poppets get a free PQA t-shirt when they join; Main Academy students wear a PQA t-shirt bought from the principal. If a temporary venue is ever needed, the academy says it will be at Studio One Hotel.

Highlights

Saturday academy at The Arbor School, Al Furjan: Poppets 9:00-10:30, Main Academy 9:00-12:00 (pqadubai.com)
Main Academy (6-18): an hour each of Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama and Film & Television (pqadubai.com)
Poppets (4-7): 90 minutes of singing, acting and movement (pqadubai.com)
Two-week trial: AED 237.50 Poppets, AED 475 Main Academy (pqadubai.com)
25% sibling discount on the Main Academy (pqadubai.com)
KHDA-registered; academy founded in the UK in 2007 by Pauline Quirke MBE (pqadubai.com)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

This listing has no Google rating or reviews yet. Parents quoted on the academy's own website talk about children growing in confidence on stage, looking forward to weekly sessions, and an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere.

The facts

Ages: Poppets: 4-7
Main Academy: 6-18 (Green 6-9, Blue 10-12, Red 13-18)
(pqadubai.com)
Prices: Poppets: AED 237.50 two-week trialAED 1,425 full term
Main Academy: AED 475 two-week trialAED 2,850 full term
25% sibling discount on Main Academy
(pqadubai.com)
Schedule: Saturday: Poppets 9:00-10:30; Main Academy 9:00-12:00 (pqadubai.com)
Trial: Two-week trial: AED 237.50 Poppets, AED 475 Main Academy (pqadubai.com)
Where: The Arbor School, Al Furjan, Dubai (pqadubai.com)
How to book: pqadubai.com/academies/arbor-school-academy · +971 58 527 7898 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Mon–FriClosed
Sat9am–12pm
SunClosed

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Wheelchair-accessible car park (Google listing)
Bring comfortable clothing and suitable footwear; Poppets get a free PQA t-shirt, Main Academy t-shirts are bought from the principal (pqadubai.com)
2026-27 terms start w/c 31 August 2026, 4 January 2027 and 12 April 2027 (pqadubai.com)
Temporary venue if needed: Studio One Hotel (pqadubai.com)