FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
TERM TIME CLASSES
Booking, Trials, Payment & Fees
How do I make a trial, holiday camp or term time class booking?
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You can book your child into a trial, class, holiday camp, or waiting list through our trusted booking partner Thrive4, here.
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Please note: Due to data protection and safeguarding measures, we need all students and trialists to be initially signed up using the booking system by their parent or guardian, and this is not something we can do our end for you. However, once a child is booked into a Best Theatre Arts class or camp, we can then move them between classes, add additional classes, or book them into camps our end on request.
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How much is a trial?
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Please see the list of trial fees for the different classes on the ‘Booking & Fees’ page here. Should your child continue in a class following a trial, the trial fee is taken off your first instalment.
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How many trials can I book?
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You can book up to two trials for any termtime group classes before making a decision. You can book one trial of a 1-2-1 private singing class before making a decision. Due to the high demand, we do not offer trial sessions for LAMDA 1-2-1 tutoring sessions.
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How does payment work at Best for term time classes?
Payment for term time classes is taken by direct debit through our booking system, Thrive4. We split the termly fee into four, equal monthly instalments that begin pending on the first of the month. The monthly fee doesn’t reflect how many classes a child takes part in during that specific month, it is just a quarter of the termly fee. This is why payment continue in the holidays.
You will only need to set up payment once, after which the direct debit will renew on the first of the month until you cancel.
Direct Debit Payment Schedule:
Spring Term Payment Dates: Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1 & Apr 1
Summer Term Payment Dates: May 1, Jun 1, Jul 1 & Aug 1
Autumn Term Payment Dates: Sep 1, Oct 1, Nov 1 & Dec 1
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Should you join us mid-term, we will calculate your first instalment to ensure you don’t overpay.
Can I pay by childcare vouchers or through my government tax free childcare account for term time classes?
Yes, we currently accept payment through the government tax free childcare account scheme, and the following childcare voucher providers: Sodexo/Pluxee, Kiddivouchers, Edenred, Care4, Computershare, Fideliti, Co-op, Bravo Benefits, Enjoy Benefits, and Apple.
You can choose to transfer either monthly or termly.
If you wish to pay using this method, please make sure you fill in your child’s form on sign up with your childcare voucher provider or noting that you would like to pay using a government tax free childcare account. We will then zero your invoice before approval and be in touch with your personal transfer schedule.
What are your fees?
See the full list of fees on the 'Booking & Fees' page here.
Do you offer discounts?
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Yes, we offer a sibling and multi-booking discount of 1/3 off your cheapest class for term-time classes. We offer sibling, multi-booking, and early bird discounts for our holiday camps. We don’t offer discounts on our 1-2-1 tutoring LAMDA, singing, and acting classes.
What does ‘Pre-approval’ mean?
To ensure any discounts are correctly applied and you don’t overpay should you join us midterm, our term time classes and often holiday camps require pre-approval from us. This means no money leaves your account on sign up until we have checked the fee is correct and manually approved the booking.
How does cancellation work for term time classes?
By signing up, you are not committing to a full term or year and can cancel mid-term if you choose. However, we require four weeks' notice in writing in order to plan lessons, future shows and the course intake accordingly.
Do I need to re-enrol every term?
No. So that they do not lose their places, students are automatically re-enrolled between terms unless we receive a cancellation notice. ​
TERM TIME CLASSES
Performances
How many shows do classes do in a year?
Each class takes part in at least one large scale performance annually, sometimes they may also take part in smaller in-house showings of work throughout the year.
Best School of Musical Theatre and Best Beginners in both St Albans and Ware have their performance at the end of the spring term, The Company’s show is at the end of the autumn term or beginning of spring, and Best School of Acting and Best Youth Theatre generally perform during the summer term, though this is dependent on whether the acting groups are taking part in any drama festivals that year.
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Where do your shows take place?
We most often hold our shows at The Sandpit Theatre in St Albans, but also take work to The Maltings Theatre St Albans, BEAM Ware, Trestle Arts Base St Albans, and The Drill Hall Ware. Best Youth Theatre have also twice performed at both Royal and Derngate and The National Theatre as part of National Theatre Connections.
TERM TIME CLASSES
Dates & Uniform
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What are your term dates?
Best's classes run three terms a year, spring, summer, and autumn. All terms are 12-weeks long other than LAMDA, which runs a 10-week term. We break for half terms and easter, summer, and winter holidays, usually in line with Hertfordshire school dates. You can always see current term dates on the website here.
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What is the Best uniform?
Students are given one free Best t-shirt when they join a term-time class or a holiday camp for the first time.
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Students are required to wear their Best t-shirt and black or dark leggings or tracksuit bottoms to class.
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No jeans, short shorts, or skirts are permitted.
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Jazz shoes or soft, black-soled shoes/trainers are preferred.
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During the winter months, we ask students to also bring layers since we keep the spaces well ventilated.
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Should your child be attending a weekday evening class and come straight from school, please ensure they bring a change of clothes, so they aren't in their school uniform during the session.
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If you would like to buy a new Best t-shirt at any point, you can do this on the website here. The t-shirt can then be picked up during your next class.
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Additional Best branded merchandise including hoodies, bags, and water bottles, can be bought on the website here.
HOLIDAY CAMPS
How does payment work for Best Holiday Camps?
Holiday camp payments are made as a one-off card payment via PayPal through our trusted booking partner, Thrive4.
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Can I pay by childcare vouchers or through my government tax free childcare account for holiday camps?
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Yes, we currently accept payment through the government tax free childcare account scheme, and the following childcare voucher providers: Sodexo/Pluxee, Kiddivouchers, Edenred, Care4, Computershare, Fideliti, Co-op, Bravo Benefits, Enjoy Benefits, and Apple.
If you wish to pay in this way for a holiday camp, make sure you tick the ‘vouchers’ box at checkout when making your booking. We will then be in touch with further details on how to transfer and the correct fee.
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How do I make a holiday camp booking?
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You can book your child into a trial, class, holiday camp, or waiting list through our trusted booking partner Thrive4, here
1-2-1 Tutoring: LAMDA, Singing & Acting
Performances
How do I book into a 1-2-1 tutoring session?
You can book your child into a 1-2-1 tutoring waiting list through our trusted booking partner Thrive4, here. We will then be in touch with any slots that are available. Should the course be fully booked, we will contact you for any time or day preferences.
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How long are the waiting lists?
​All of our 1-2-1 tutoring courses are highly in demand, usually with a wait of around two terms or longer. Should you be more flexible with the times or days you can do, we may be able to offer a space sooner.
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How often do you run LAMDA and Singing Exams?
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LAMDA and singing exams are usually run twice a year, with students generally taking one a year.
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Who is prioritised on the waiting lists?
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We prioritise students who are currently enrolled in term-time classes for our private tutoring. After this, places are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.