More than six years ago, the family of a young girl named Isla, who has complex medical needs, discovered Razzamataz Newcastle. As her dad Mark explains, finding the school proved to be one of the most impactful moments in Isla’s life. Isla, who is approaching her tenth birthday, has a condition called VACTERL association, a rare condition that can affect babies during development in the womb. Rather than being a single disease, VACTERL is a group of birth differences that tend to occur together. For Isla, this has meant a range of physical health challenges and multiple surgeries throughout her young life.
But while Isla has faced challenges that many children her age could never imagine, nothing has stopped her from pursuing her love of performing. For Mark, who is about to qualify as a clinical psychologist and has completed six placements, including working with children and young people, watching the impact that performing arts has had on his daughter has been particularly powerful.
The Benefits of the Arts
He has seen first-hand how Razzamataz has given Isla a place where her medical needs are not what define her. Instead, she is able to be a performer, make friends, build confidence and, most importantly, simply be herself. As Mark explains, the benefits of Razzamataz go far beyond learning to sing, dance and act. From his perspective as both a parent and someone training in psychology, the confidence, sense of belonging and opportunity to develop life skills that Isla has gained through the school have been incredibly significant.
Why Razzamataz was the Right Choice
So, what was it about Razzamataz that made Mark and his wife feel it was the right place for Isla? Interestingly, Razzamataz was already familiar to Mark. He remembered seeing founder Denise Gosney appear on Dragons’ Den and, perhaps because of his background in psychology, the business and its ethos had stayed in his mind. Several years later, as Isla was getting older, he and his wife, a former teacher, began thinking about activities outside the family that could give her something different.
“Razzamataz came to mind,” Mark explains. “We found our local school and, because of Isla’s health, we wanted to have some conversations with the team before making a decision.”
Those conversations proved to be hugely reassuring
Principal James took the time to speak with Mark at length, answering his questions and making the family feel welcome from the very beginning. “He was really reassuring and positive and made us feel welcome, not just Isla, but us as a whole family,” says Mark.
For Mark and his wife, a performing arts school offered the potential to be both rewarding and challenging for Isla, but it was the combination of learning and enjoyment that ultimately made Razzamataz stand out.
“We thought a performing arts school environment would be rewarding but also challenging, but what we loved most was that Razzamataz was such an excellent fit because, although the children learn performing arts skills, it is done in a really fun and social environment. There’s a real community feel, with the emphasis on making friends.”
For Isla, that balance was particularly important. The family wanted her to have opportunities to challenge herself and discover what she could achieve, but without adding unnecessary pressure.
“We knew that Isla, and probably most children, didn’t need a whole load of extra pressure. We wanted her to push herself, but in a fun way.”
And that, Mark says, is one of the things that has made such a difference. Razzamataz has given Isla the opportunity to challenge herself, develop her performing skills and grow in confidence, while being part of a supportive community where she can simply enjoy being a child.
A Team that Goes the Extra Mile
Mark has also become actively involved in Isla’s Razzamataz journey, having volunteered as a chaperone for five of her summer shows. This has given him an even greater insight into the way the team works with its students and the care they take to understand every young person as an individual.
“Having been involved with Razzamataz events, I see the whole group taking that proactive, person-centred interest in all the young people,” says Mark. “Whatever their individual needs are, whether that’s confidence, neurodivergence or something else, they really take the time to get to know and understand each child and create a safe and supported environment.”
For Mark, it is this individual approach that sets Razzamataz apart. The team doesn’t simply accommodate Isla’s needs; they have actively sought to understand how they can support her and make sure she can participate as fully as possible.
“They really do go the extra mile,” he says. That commitment has extended beyond the Razzamataz studio, too. Two members of the Razzamataz team have even visited the family’s home to learn how to support Isla with her tube feeding if necessary, something that Mark says demonstrates the exceptional level of trust that has developed between the family and the team.
Friendship, Community and Fun
Mark’s perspective on the benefits of Razzamataz is also shaped by his own professional experience. As he prepares to qualify as a clinical psychologist, he has a growing understanding of the importance of positive relationships, community and meaningful activities in supporting young people’s wellbeing.
“Putting my clinical psychology hat on, and thinking about the work and research I’ve done, as well as the guidelines that are out there, I see a group activity like Razzamataz as being a really important moderator for modern-day life for a young person,” he explains. “Of course, you can’t protect children from all of the problems they might encounter in the world, but being part of something like this can help to buffer some of the bad stuff. For many young people, it can give them the best chance of getting through what can be a tough period of adolescence.”
For Mark, it is the combination of friendship, community and the opportunity to explore performing arts that makes the experience so valuable. But he also sees Razzamataz as somewhere that young people develop a whole range of interpersonal skills that can stay with them long after they leave the stage.
“The friendships and the sense of community are amazing, but it also teaches young people so many interpersonal skills that they can use throughout their lives,” he says.
Having chaperoned five of Isla’s summer shows
Mark has seen those skills developing first-hand. He has watched older students having mature conversations about how they can improve their performances as a team, listen to each other and work towards a shared goal.
“The process of putting on a show teaches them resilience, how to handle feedback, teamwork and so many other skills,” he says. “Even if they don’t go on to continue performing, I believe they will remember that process.”
And perhaps that is one of the greatest strengths of Razzamataz for Mark. The stage may be where the young people’s achievements are most visible, but the skills they develop along the way can continue to benefit them long after the curtain comes down.
Building Towards Her Dream Career
And for Isla, there is no doubt that her Razzamataz journey is far from over. With her sights firmly set on the stage, she already knows exactly what she would like her future to look like.
“I do think that Razzamataz is absolutely 100% brilliant,” says Isla. “I want to be a pop star when I’m older, so the fact that we do singing is definitely going to help me reach my dream career as a professional singer.
“Of course, I’m still learning, but Razzamataz has taken confidence lessons to another level. It’s really helped me. Brilliant!”
For a young girl who has already overcome so much, Isla’s ambition is infectious. And with the support of her family and the Razzamataz Newcastle community behind her, she is continuing to build the confidence, skills and belief to pursue whatever comes next.
Learn with Razzamataz
Learning never stops at Razzamataz. Whether you’re a student, assistant, team member or teacher, there are plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and confidence. Join us at our CPD Days this November in London and Glasgow, or, if you’re aged 12+, take part in our brand-new Next Steps event in London in 2028, designed to inspire and support your future ambitions. Students and alumni can also stay connected through our Encore newsletter community, where you’ll receive the latest news, opportunities and exclusive updates.
Visit: https://mailchi.mp/razzamataz.co.uk/encore
Exciting new incentive scheme to support our franchise partners ‘Build your Asset’ will be launched at our Conference!
Discover Your Razzamataz Franchise Opportunity
Enquire early to secure your place at our next training week and see what makes the Razzamataz network so special. Book your free place on our next Discovery Den: https://www.razzamataz.co.uk/discovery-dens/
#Creatingconfidentfutures for 26 years.
