CAPA College (Creative and Performing Arts College) provides full-time Arts training and education for students aged 16-19. With award-winning teachers, industry-standard facilities & outstanding support, we inspire, train and educate the next generation of performers, creatives, designers, technicians & critical thinkers. Our graduates progress to the top universities & Arts conservatoires and notable careers in the industry. Since 2006 we have been a paragon for Arts education in the North.

CAPA College started in the corner of a Wakefield secondary school. After a long and tempestuous journey (marked by closure, redundancy and rally in the Houses in the Parliament), the newly invigorated College opened as Wakefield’s first (and still only) DfE-funded Free School within Enhance Academy Trust in Sept 2018. CAPA College is the only non-fee-paying, specialist Creative and Performing Arts College of its kind in Yorkshire or the North East.

After renting temporary accommodation for four years, we begin an exciting new chapter in our history as we open the doors to our brand-new, purpose-built premises in the heart of Wakefield in Sept 2022. Located on Mulberry Way (opposite Wakefield Westgate train station), this state-of-the-art facility will be unprecedented in the North of England. Equipped with the latest technology, industry-standard equipment and the finest rehearsal and performance spaces, it will enable us to double our student intake (500 students over two year groups) and expand on our legacy of providing free-access, full-time Arts training and education.

CAPA College is much more than just a post-16 provider. Home to the incredible Mulberry Playhouse (a 150-seat theatre), The Black Box theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, the eagerly anticipated Yorkshire Picture House (a bespoke arthouse cinema) & The Green Room (a public café/bar/restaurant), CAPA College will bring visitors from far and wide to socialise, celebrate and participate in the Arts.

CAPA College is one of the most exciting and innovative education providers in the North of England. Every year students from across Yorkshire & beyond flock to our corner of Wakefield to pursue their dreams of becoming the next Hollywood star, Oscar-winning filmmaker, director, choreographer, entrepreneur or creative.

Over 2 years of full-time study students (aged 16-19) achieve the equivalent of 4 A Levels, a portfolio packed with transferrable skills and all of the performance experience they need to progress to higher education and their chosen professional careers in Dance, Drama, Musical Theatre, Production Arts or Media.

With an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating (Jan 2022), an alumnus in every major West End show, consistent 99% A*-C results, a ranking in the top 1% of all post-16 providers nationally for student progress, awards and accolades from the National Theatre, BBC, Sky TV and Arts Council England and almost 6 applicants for every place, CAPA College is a tour de force in Arts Education. As we begin this exciting new chapter in our history, we are thrilled to welcome even more talented young people to train with us at CAPA College.

We have so much to offer. With community classes and projects; touring companies; space hire for private and commercial use; as well as a jam-packed programme of live performances, festivals and special events; we hope the new CAPA College will become a new centre for performance and creativity in West Yorkshire.