Paula Diamond
We moved to Newport Pagnell from Scotland almost 35 years ago. It’s a lovely little place.
When I walk up the town I always know someone – it takes me ages to get down the street sometimes for chatting!
Paula Diamond – the founder of Diamond School of Performing Arts
I started Diamond about 26 years ago. We began as a drama school before bringing in the singing and dancing. I’ve seen countless numbers of children from the area come through my doors. And not just children that want to go on and perform as a profession. Many go into all walks of life! Because we instil the message of confidence building. That’s not to say that people haven’t gone on and become professional – one of my kids is now in Game of Thrones.
“When I walk up the town I always know someone – it takes me ages to get down the street sometimes for chatting!”
However that’s not what it’s all about. I reckon every school in MK has a member of staff who came to Diamond. Many seem to get on and become outstanding teachers. Here they learn how to stand up and talk to a room full of people, with confidence. It’s wonderful. I’ve now retired from Diamond, but the school lives on through my son. A trained professional himself, he’s now taken over the running of things as it goes from strength to strength for the children of Milton Keynes.”