About Us

In August 2008, exceptional demand led Fi to expand into performing arts for primary school age children, with an emphasis on fun, confidence building, boosting self-esteem and developing individual potential. RPA was the first performing arts company to bring after-school performing arts clubs into schools across the Swindon area.

In 2012, as the primary-age children “wouldn’t leave,” Fi set up RPA Rapport, creating a safe space for young people as they transitioned into secondary school.

Our Ethos

All elements of RPA sessions are child-centred, with no pressure to perform – just space to relax, enjoy and have a good time. RPA runs twilight performing arts sessions for approximately 400 young people aged 4–18 from a diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds, providing a haven for self-expression through a fully trauma-informed, child-centred approach.

RPA produces two public shows a year, reaching a total audience of approximately 1,720 people from across the community, with each performance producing around 20 pieces of professionally produced work.

Young people who benefit from RPA range from those who simply wish to feel included, respected and celebrated, to those from abused or traumatised backgrounds and those on the autistic spectrum. RPA provides free places to any young person affected by domestic abuse and works with Looked After Children.

Our Partners

RPA collaborates, historically and/or currently, with the following partners to help as many young people as possible access performing arts:

• NHS Mental Health Inpatient Unit
• National Literacy Trust – Swindon Stories (Ambassadors)
• Swindon Central Library
• Swindon Festival of Arts & Literature
• The Prince’s Trust
• Swindon Borough Council – Afghan Relocations & Assistance Policy (ARAP)
• Swindon Borough Council – Healthy Activities & Food Programme (HAF)
• Society Without Abuse (SWA) (Ambassadors)
• Schools, including ten in the Government’s Levelling Up cohort
• Social Workers
• Aiming High
• Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS)
• Children and Adults Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• Education Other Than At School (EOTAS)
• Young Carers

Access & Excellence

RPA believes in progression without examination, developing each young person’s individual artistic potential through a fully trauma-informed, child-centred approach in which young people take the lead in their own creative journey. Sessions delivered during the pandemic remain available free of charge on the RPA YouTube channel.

RPA is a progressive, unique company that crosses boundaries, drawing together young people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds to express themselves safely and be celebrated as individuals. Many young people stay with RPA, become leaders, and are now employed by RPA; some have gone on to run their own creative businesses.

RPA & Rapport contributed to Arts Council England’s Let’s Create programme during the pandemic, supporting emerging artists, diversifying delivery, and connecting isolated young people. RPA has received funding from Arts Council England, including for an anti-bullying film project with Create Studios, and from The National Lottery to deliver a film celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. RPA was also named the ACE-funded arts partner delivering work for young people at the Refuge, in support of Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS).

Audiences and participants include families from lower socio-economic backgrounds across Swindon, and young people who are neurodiverse, in care, refugees, or experiencing food poverty, gender dysphoria, poor mental health or the effects of abuse.

RPA is a well-run, female-led organisation whose leadership and workforce bring significant lived experience of abuse, domestic abuse, mental health issues, autism and ADHD – helping deliver a relatable arts experience for everyone RPA works with. Young people referred by Society Without Abuse (SWA) attend all sessions free of charge, in recognition of the profound positive effect the arts can have on recovery from trauma.

RPA’s work is reviewed regularly on Google and Facebook, and open, honest feedback is requested after every performance and event to support continual improvement. RPA is also a Domestic Abuse Corporate Ambassador, and Fi is a Literacy Champion.

What We Do

Sessions combine dancing, singing and drama. Young people choose the songs (checked for age-appropriateness) and perform together as one group, with the opportunity to perform solos or with friends using professional microphones and amplifiers.

Some weeks lean more towards singing, sometimes dancing, sometimes drama – led by where the young performers take the session.

Sessions normally culminate in a sharing performance in front of the school, typically as part of a school assembly, where children can – only if they choose to – show their work to their peers. Parents are usually invited to see the last 15 minutes of the final session of every 12-week term (Christmas, Easter and Summer).

RPA performs up to three times a year at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Arts Centre and further afield, giving young people the chance to perform to audiences of up to 620 family and friends – fun, low-pressure performances with a real community feel.

Confidence Building – Without Pressure

RPA’s passion is nurturing children’s confidence little by little each week, encouraging them to be themselves and enjoy performing arts without pressure.

Teachers have described children arriving too shy to answer their name in class – and within a couple of terms at RPA, singing solos in front of the whole school.

Policies & Insurance

Revolution Performing Arts holds Public Liability Insurance (up to £10 million), and photo ID and right-to-work information is held on file for all leaders. Risk assessments are carried out at every school and venue.

All staff are DBS checked, insured, and receive appropriate allergy, safeguarding and Prevent training, alongside paediatric first aid training. RPA is Ofsted registered. Our full range of policies is available on request.

Cost & Enrolment

Fees vary by venue depending on term length and room hire costs, ranging from £26.00–£35.87 per month. Payments are administered electronically via GoCardless direct debit, spread evenly across the year and payable monthly.

Additional payment options include Klarna, Apple Pay, Stripe, private childcare vouchers, Tax-Free Childcare, and the Childcare Element of Universal Credit (85% of fees reclaimable).

New families are welcome to enrol for a free trial session at one of our after-school clubs or open twilight sessions – every child is welcomed like a family member and nurtured to be the fabulous person they are.

Fiona (Fi) Da Silva-Adams & Team
Founder & CEO, Revolution Performing Arts