2007

FREE Taster Sessions!!!

The newest member of the MAD Academy network, Kirsty Sutcliffe will be launching classes in Hull, Beverley and Cottingham in the new year! Why not come along for a bit of MADness at one of Kirsty's FREE taster sessions this December?  

St Mary's, Cottingham
Tuesday 11th December  
Babies and Crawlers - 09:30 - 10:05
Walkers to 2 years - 10:20 - 11:05
2 to 4 years - 11:20 -12:05

Beverley Memorial Hall, Beverley
Wednesday 12th December 
Babies and Crawlers - 11:30 - 12:05
Walkers to 2 years - 10:30 - 11:15
2 to 4 years - 09:30 - 10:15

David Lloyd, Hull
Thursday 13th December 
Babies and Crawlers - 11:30 - 12:05
Walkers to 2 years - 09:30 - 10:15
2 to 4 years - 10:30 - 11:15

Church of the Ascension, Hull
Friday 14th December
Babies and Crawlers - 10:30 - 11:05
Walkers to 2 years - 11:20 - 12:05
2 to 4 years - 09:30 - 10:15

Places are limited so ring Kirsty now to book you place on 01482 824143! To find out more about Kirsty, click here>>>

Let's all Step! in time!

New for the Autumn term, our fantastic new Step! section will develop your child's beat competency. We know that being able to spot and keep a beat is really important. Moving to a steady rhythm is necessary for walking, running, drawing and even cutting with scissors. Even more incredible, research has shown that children who are able to beat a steady rhythm actually do better at school in all their subjects than those who have poor ‘beat competency’. This term our walker to 2’s, 2s to 3s and 3s to 4s will be introduced to Step!, a new and exciting part of your MAD Academy classes. You will meet Polly Penguin and her 3 friends who are looking forward to showing you their special steps and beats. This very basic introduction to musical notation and rhythm will begin to form the basis of your child’s musical education, in the most friendly and fun-ky way! Click here to meet Polly and her friends!>>>

Winners!!!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Summer Competition. As many of you spotted, Helen Harrington, our founder, was featured in EVE magazine recently! Congratulations to our winner, Vicky Page, who will receive on one of our handy plimsoll bags containing her very own mini Ralph, a baseball cap and a set of three MAD cds – Hop!, Skip! and Jump! Our three runners up – Danielle Spyra, Charlie Jewell and Charlotte Moores will also be receiving their own set of our three fun and funky cds! Watch out for more exciting give aways in our Christmas competition, coming soon!!

FREE TASTER CLASSES

On Wednesday 21st November MAD Academy will be holding free classes at Esporta Royal Berkshire Racquets Club and at the Charlotte Pratt Memorial Hall. From January these classes will run weekly at the same time and location.

Location Details:
Esporta Royal Berkshire Racquets Club Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7PB. The club is next to Coral Reef Swimming Pool opposite The Look Out with car parking available in front of the centre. Non-members are welcome to attend. 

9.35 – 10.20 is 2 to 4 Years
10.25 – 11.10 is Walkers to 2 years
11.15 – 11.50 is Babies & Crawlers

Charlotte Pratt Memorial Hall Chavey Down Road, Winkfield Row, Bracknell, RG42 7NY. Down from the traffic light junction with Forest Road. There is parking available in front of the hall and on Chavey Down Road.

13:15 – 14:00 is Walkers to 4 years
14:05 – 14:40 is Babies and Crawlers

For any further details please contact Helen on 01344 780992 or email helen.clark@madacademy.com.

New Classes in Henley - September 2007

MAD Academy is set to make a splash in Henley this Autumn! One of our most experienced Class Leaders, Emma Lelliot will be bringing her MAD magic to the children of Henley with three brand new classes opening on Mondays at the Scout HQ, Grays Road, Henley. If you want to attend, please call Emma quickly to book, as places are going fast!!! Contact Emma on 0118 979 2695. To find out more about Emma's classes, click here>>>

New Classes in Farnham, Fleet, Farnborough and Ash - September 2007

Come along and try out a class with one of MAD Academy's newest members.  Debs is launching classes in September 2007 but you can try a session with her for FREE at one of her taster days.  Just contact her to book your place - SPACES LIMITED!

FREE TASTER CLASSES:

Farnham
Monday 9th July - United Reformed Church, (Small Hall) South Street, Farnham, GU9 7QU
2-4s: 10.00-10.45
Babies and crawlers; 11.00-11.45
Walkers-2s: 11.50-12.30

Church Crookham
Thurs 12th July - Holy Trinity Church Hall, Aldershot Rd/Bowenhurst Rd, Church Crookham, 
GU52 8JW 
2-4s:10.00-10.45
Babies and crawlers: 11.00-11.45
Walkers-2s: 11.50-12.30

Hale
Mon 16th July - Hale Village Hall, Wings Rd, Upper Hale, Farnham, Surrey
2-4s: 09.30-10.15
Babies and Crawlers:10.30-11.15
Walkers-2s: 11.30-12.15

Farnborough
Tuesday 19th June - St Mark's Church Hall, Guildford Rd East, Farnborough
2-4s: 10.30-11.15
Babies and crawlers: 11.30-12.15

Ash
Tuesday 24th July - Ash Victoria Hall, Ash Hill Rd, Ash
2-4s: 09.30-10.15
Babies and crawlers: 10.30-11.15
Walkers-2s: 11.30-12.15

Please call Debs on 01252 326413 to reserve a place at a taster session.

OTHER EVENTS:
You can also catch up with Debs at the following events;

Teddy Bears Picnic, Fleet funday
5th July 1.00pm-3.30pm
The Views, Fleet

Hale Carnival
7th July 2.00pm-5.00pm
Hale Recreation Ground, Upper Hale Rd., Farnham

Ash Fun Day
21st July, 1.30pm-4.00pm 
Ash Recreation Ground

BIRDWORLD
8th August,1pm-4pm,
BIRDWORLD Holt pound, Farnham

For full details of classes starting in September click here>>>

New Classes in Farnham Royal

MAD Academy will be opening new classes in Farnham Royal from 10th September 2007. 
These will take place on a Monday morning at the Farnham Royal Village Hall, Farnham Lane, Farnham Royal, Slough.

Free taster classes will be held on Monday 3rd September at the Farnham Royal Village Hall, Farnham Lane, Farnham Royal, Slough SL2 3AX

10.00 – 10.45am (2 - 4years)
10.55 – 11.30am (babies & crawlers)
11.40 – 12.25am (walkers to 2 years)

Numbers are limited - to book a place call Nikki on 0118 978 8221 or email nikki.carr@madacademy.com

Nursery Time

Did you know MAD Academy provides classes for nurseries? We currently provide regular MAD classes at 4 nurseries, Little Bears in Newbury, Hazebrouk in Arborfield, Abbeymore in Earley and Western Elms Day Nursery in Tilehurst. If you run a nursery and are interested in finding out how MAD Academy can provide a MAD time for you and your children, send us your details by clicking here>>>

MAD featured in EVE Magazine

Helen Harrington, founder of MAD Academy, is featured in a national magazine. The award winning Eve magazine - Britain’s fastest growing women’s glossy – approached Helen in December, interested in the dramatic personal changes she went through to set up MAD Academy. “It seems the rapid success and unique ethos of MAD Academy had caught their attention,” explains Helen “but most of all they were interested in how my life had been affected by leaving a career at BBC Worldwide and establishing my own business." The finished article is in Eve’s April edition and is available now. Click here to read the article. 

Sandhurst's Donkey Derby

Due to the poor weather Sandhurst's Donkey Derby has been postponed until Sunday 24th June at Sandhurst Memorial Park off Yorktown Road, Sandhurst. MAD Academy will be running FREE classes throughout the day, so come along and bring the whole family for a great day out! For more details call Helen on 0118 9892492.

Free Classes!

Why not take advantage of our FREE MAD classes this June?! Trish will be running a free class at Frank Hutchings Community Centre, in Thatcham on Wednesday 6th June. This class is for babies only and will begin at 9.30am. For all walkers to 4 year olds, there is a FREE class at the Riverside Community Centre, in Newbury on Saturday 9th June, beginning at 10.00am. So whether you are a MAD regular or want to experience the MADness for the first time, why not come along!! Ring Trish for more details on 0118 9770050.

May MADness

May is the month for MADness as we get out and about at some great events across the county. Reading Children's Festival kicks off on the 19th May with Meadow Madness at Christchurch Meadows. Among all the workshops, activities and entertainment you will find MAD Academy. We will be there running lots of free 25 minute sessions:

• 12.00 for Walkers to 2

• 12.30 for Babies

• 13.00 for 2 to 4

• 14.00 for 2 to 4

If you want any more information call Trish on 0118 9770050. 

Also on Saturday 19th May the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead are having a Sports Bug open day at their Leisure Centres. Everything is free for children to try any activities that go on at the Leisure centres (including a Bouncy Castle). So MAD Academy will be at the Magnet Leisure Centre, Maidenhead from 10am – 2pm offering free sessions to see what we do there. So it would be great to meet people there!

If that wasn't enough, MAD Academy is also joining Sandhurst's Donkey Derby on 28th May at Sandhurst Memorial Park off Yorktown Road, Sandhurst. We will be running FREE classes throughout the day and look forward to seeing familiar faces and some new ones. For more details call Helen on 0118 9892492.

MAD Welcomes Latest Member - Helen Clark

We are all welcoming a new member of the MAD Academy team this term. Lynne Roxbee-Cox, who has been running a successful branch of MAD Academy across areas of Bracknell, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Finchampstead and Sandhurst for the past two years, has moved on to pastures new. Consequently, she has now handed the MAD Academy mantel on to Helen Clark. 

Helen has always had a passion for music and dance, but while working in a variety of office roles with men in grey suits following university, she had to remain a closet singer and dancer. It wasn’t until she had her two children that she started to be able to give expression to her passion.

After hearing from her eldest child about the great MAD sessions she was enjoying at her nursery, Helen investigated further. She soon started taking both children along to local classes and was impressed with the variety and enthusiasm that both children and parents had in the class. Gradually she realised MAD Academy could not only provide her and her children with a fun time each week, but it could be the start of a whole new career! “I had been looking for something that would provide greater involvement in my local community, as well as something which I could fit around my children,” Helen explains. “MAD Academy seemed to allow me to do this. And the real bonus was I would be able to invest time in something I truly love”.

Helen and her MAD Academy instructors, Elaine and Kelly, intend to continue running all the classes that Lynne established, as well as adding new ones, including Saturday morning sessions. “I am so excited about building on Lynne’s success and am looking forward to meeting all the children and parents who already attend, as well as those who join us in the future.” If you have any questions for Helen, please contact her on 0118 9892492 or email Helen. To find out more about Helen and her team, click here>>>

FREE Valentines MAD Class

Fancy attending a FREE MAD class in Twyford this Valentines day? Emma will be running a session in Loddon Hall, Twyford for children from Walkers to 4 year olds. The class will begin at 4pm and will last 45 minutes. Places are going fast, so if you want to avoid disappointment, call Emma on 0118 979 2695 now to book your place. Ensure you have a peaceful evening this Valentines day - let the children wear themselves out with MAD Academy!

Goodbye Georgia!!!

MAD Academy says goodbye to one of their longest attending children!
Georgia has been attending a MAD Academy class every week for over 2 years, and was one of the first children to join us. But now, at the age of nearly four and a half, Georgia has reluctantly had to say goodbye as she moves on to new, exciting things!

When Georgia and her Dad found out about the Saturday MAD class Trish Nawacki was running, they thought it would be the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together. “She liked all of the MAD songs from the very start,” her Dad told us, “especially when it involved dancing, running or crawling around the room i.e. anything with a bit of action involved!” And Georgia wasn’t the only one to throw herself into the spirit of MAD Academy. Trish was really pleased to see that Georgia’s dad was more than happy to join in. As he recalls, “a number of the Dads would often look at each other and really laugh as we whizzed round the room to 5 Little Men in a Flying Saucer, or crawled around as a prickly hedgehog! I think when the parent joins in fully with the singing and dancing it makes all the difference to the child’s enjoyment.” Trish certainly agrees!

Georgia was very attentive, if rather quiet to begin with, though her enjoyment was clear. Her dad remembers that “she was always on a high by the end of each session, proving how much she enjoyed each class.” It wasn’t long before her confidence was blooming, thanks largely to Trish’s enthusiasm and sense of fun. “Tricia’s handling of the kids was superb and her bubbly attitude really struck a chord with Georgia,” says Dad. She was soon singing along to the MAD CD’s in the car and showing friends and family the dances she had learnt, as well as making up some of her own. She loved all the props she got to explore every week and was really proud to be one of the winners of June’s colouring competition, with the fantastic picture featured here (left). Her parents also noticed that she became much more aware of the rhythm in songs and her ability to maintain a beat with the castanets in class started to be really strong. But Georgia’s parents are in no doubt that the greatest contribution MAD has made to their daughter was the confidence it gave her. It grew each term and she was soon happy to be around other children and get stuck in. 

Georgia is really sad to be leaving the MAD classes she has come to love, and Trish, with whom she has built such a great relationship, is also very reluctant to see her go! But the confidence she has acquired over the years with us will help her settle in quickly to the new activities she will be starting. Trish and the other children in her class will miss her greatly. “Georgia was a model student for MAD, not least because she always had a smile on her face in class.” It will not be same without our longest attending child!

To find out more about Trish's classes, click here>>>

Stop Press! 

The latest MAD CD is now available! Skip is jam packed with fun and funky children’s songs. Combining well loved classics, such as ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ and ‘Animal Fair’, with some great new ones you and your children will come to adore! Including many action songs designed to help children learn new vocabulary and develop co-ordination, its great for in the car or at home, and all the family can sing along! Skip is  available to buy from your class leader or from our on line shop, click here>>>

Windsor Classes come to Windsor Leisure Centre!

MAD Academy's Wednesday classes in Windsor have moved venues. Previously held in St. Marks Church Hall, all the Wednesday classes will now take place in the Activity Studio of Windsor Leisure Centre (Clewer Mead, Stovell Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5JB), at the following times:

11.15 - 12.00pm Walkers to 2 years

12.15 - 1.00pm 2 - 4 years

1.15 - 1.50pm Babies & Crawlers

The change in venue takes place from January 7th 2007. If you have any questions, please contact Nikki on 0118 978 8221.

In The News!
Read the latest news articles about MAD Academy >>> more

MADness Makes Sense!
Discover some of the scientific theory behind our music and dance curriculum >>>more

Hitting all the Right Notes!
MAD Academy's magical classes are a hit with parents and children! Discover what they say about us >>>more

MAD Academy Classes
Discover more about what our classes involve >>>more

Franchise Opportunities!
Franchises available in key areas across the UK >>>more

Class Instructors Wanted
Our franchisees are always on the look out for good class instructors, >>>more

Beat it!
Find out about the power of beat competency >>>more 

Businesses for Sale
Find details of any MAD Academy businesses for sale, >>>more

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If you are interested in joining the MAD Academy team, but don't think running your own business is for you, click here and discover how to become a class leader!!