Bird College

Bird College

Bird College of Dance, Music & Theatre Performance is an independent performing arts school and college, based in the Greater London suburb of Sidcup. It has also been known as the Doreen Bird School of Dance, Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts and Bird College of Dance & Theatre Performance.

Founded by the dance teacher Doreen Bird in 1945, the college provides specialist vocational training at further and higher education level in dance, drama and musical theatre. The college prepares students for a professional career in the performing arts and has a history of feeding artists into West End and Broadway theatre, dance companies, television, film, pop music and other high profile areas of the entertainments industry.

Key areas of study include ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance, singing, voice craft and drama. The college is accredited to the Council for Dance Education and Training and its qualifications are recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, being validated by either the University of Greenwich or Trinity College, London. Many student places at the college are funded by the British Government through the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) scheme.

Since October 2007, the college been the official provider of junior (pre-vocational) music and dance services for the London Borough of Bexley following the closure of the Bexley Academy of Music & Performing Arts. As a result, the previous name of Bird College of Dance & Theatre Performance was altered to reflect the change, with the addition of the word "Music".