A new branch of the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) has opened in Bloxham, marking the organisation’s fourth academy in Oxfordshire and signalling continued growth in regional demand for performing arts education.
The academy is led by the Martin family — parents Tony and Karen, alongside their daughter Holly — who bring a blend of professional experience spanning music, healthcare and drama training.
Tony Martin, a former London cabbie who spent his twenties performing in bands, contributes expertise in music production and technology. Karen Martin, a Registered Mental Health Nurse with more than 20 years’ experience in social care, oversees operations behind the scenes.
Their daughter Holly trained in performing arts from the age of five before graduating from drama school, later developing a passion for teaching that inspired the family to launch the venture together.
The Bloxham academy welcomed a strong turnout at its first session, with many students enrolling on the day — an early sign of local appetite for structured performing arts training.
Principal Tony Martin said:
“Opening a Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has been a dream of ours for some time. The business model allows us to work together as a family while building something meaningful in our local community. Between us, we bring performance experience, teaching expertise, and a real understanding of young people’s wellbeing, it’s the perfect combination.”
PQA academies typically operate at weekends, enabling principals from a wide range of professional backgrounds to establish and manage their own businesses while balancing other commitments. The model is designed to support career changers and families seeking to build enterprises rooted in creative education.
Emma Taylor, Head of Business at PQA said:
“The Martin family’s story demonstrates how our business model supports career changers and families looking to build something together. Their combined backgrounds in performance, education, and healthcare create a well-rounded approach to running an academy, while the early student numbers prove there’s strong demand beyond the traditional metropolitan markets.”
With four academies now operating in Oxfordshire, PQA’s expansion reflects growing interest in accessible performing arts opportunities beyond major cities.
Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts is a family-owned nationwide performing arts academy for children aged 4 to 18, offering training in comedy, drama, musical theatre, TV and filmmaking, with a focus on nurturing individual talent and building self-belief.
