Freddie Bolt - Founder & Head of Acting.

Freddie started on the exact same path as our students, as he enrolled at stage school from being 8 years of age. He soon caught the bug for performing and it all spiralled from there!

Freddie’s career kick started from the off as he appeared on television programmes such as Bernard’s Watch, My Parents are Aliens, The Royal, My Spy Family, Wuthering Heights (Film), The Quest, Steel River Blues and Waterloo Road. This gave him an invaluable wealth of experience within the industry and he continued to learn his craft as an Actor.

Freddie went on to achieved a Triple Distinction at Leeds City College and then a 1st Class (Hons) Degree in Acting at UCLan. Since graduating Freddie has been playing the role of Reece Murgatroyd in all three series of Channel 4’s drama series ‘Ackley Bridge’. He has also recently featured in the music video of One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

A word from Freddie…
“With my experience and passion combined, I feel like I am in a brilliant position to be able to work with young aspiring performers to provide them with all the guidance and support they need to navigate their way into this fiercely competitive industry. I now work professionally both as an Actor and a Casting Agent which enables me the best possible platform to see the industry from both sides.

As well as giving me the opportunity to start carving out a career in the industry I love, attending stage school has also helped me develop life skills. These skills enabled me to build my confidence, self belief and has also enabled me to make life long friends. Which was also one of the main factors behind wanting to set up Bee Academy, to allow out students to develop themselves and build friendships that will last a lifetime”.

LAUREN SHIPPEY - Founder & Principal.

I also started on the same path as our students, having attended Performing Arts School from the age of 3-17 years. Whilst being a student I had the privilege to perform in many Theatre Productions and also had experience auditioning for Television Roles & appeared in Children’s programmes. Whilst my career after leaving school didn’t lead me into performing, I worked as a Hair and Make up Artist for the BBC for 9 years working on many different shows and then went on to be freelance for 5 years, working for different television production companies and magazine shoots.

After having children I realised that I wanted to send them to the same sort of Performing Arts School I loved from being young. When I realised there weren’t any around I decided to launch my own. We enjoyed lots of success, and one of our students even won a BAFTA!

The experience, confidence and discipline attending a Performing Arts school taught me definitely provided me with the right foundations to be able to go into the working world. I made life long friendships and it felt like a real family vibe, which we hope to re-create at BEE Academy and our own experiences and strong values will make that the right environment for our students to succeed in whatever they choose to do.

Fun Fact
I worked as a make-up artist for the BBC for 9 years!

Career Highlight
Having a student of mine win a BAFTA! Thats was quite something

Rachel Waters - Singing Teacher.

Rachel is a professional singer, vocal coach and songwriter. She gained a First Class BA Hons degree in Popular Music & Recording, and has since performed at events worldwide in all many well known bands/ shows. Rachel now sings lead vocals and plays synth in her new electronic band, I Was Love. She absolutely loves writing songs and playing live, she is excited to release her own music this year.

Rachel has been vocal coaching for almost 10 years and not only has experience in coaching young people of all ages she’s also completed several teacher training courses so you can be sure she’s passing on methods from leading vocal science research, ensuring young voices are protected.

Since university Rachel has gained experience in many aspects of the music industry having worked in Blueprint Studios as well as been both a production and band assistant for Elbow on their world tours and festivals over the last few years.

Rachel’s forte is vocal health, technique and confidence. Having turned around her own experience as a very nervous young singer to a more confident and performer, her aim is that everyone enjoy and feel the benefits of improved singing!

Fun Fact
I used to play badminton for scotland!

Career Highlight
I played at the linecheck festival in milan with my band!

Sophie Brown - Dance Teacher.

Sophie began her dance training at the age of 4 and soon after began performing in various show and pantomimes.

At the age of 18 she went on to study 3 years musical theatre at Phil Winston's Theatreworks in Blackpool.

Since graduating Sophie has had the pleasure of working for world famous cruise companies, performing in the shows on board and travelling all over the world. She has also performed all over the UK in a number of shows and corporate events including various tribute shows and also as an illusionist/dancer in a magic show.

Sophie is thrilled to be part of the team at BEE Academy and is very excited to be working with the students and helping them achieve their goals and have lots of fun in class!

Fun Fact
I have worked as a magicians assistant.

Career Highlight
Travelling all over the world whilst performing on cruise ships.

Emma Chappell - Front of House.

Hi I’m Emma! I work front of house for BEE Academy, and also for the Agency attached to the Academy.

As well as working at BEE academy I’m also a teaching assistant at a primary school . As you can see, I enjoy working with children & I enjoy watching their confidence grow by doing something they love

I am a mum myself to Harry & Freya who both attend BEE academy

i look forward to welcoming you & your child to “BEE amazing” at BEE Academy

Fun Fact
As bizarre as it sounds is...my favourite holiday is Disney World in Florida, even though I don’t like rides!

Career Highlight
My career highlight would be when I retrained to become a teaching assistant. This was a complete career change & one I decided to do after having children. However I have always wanted to be a midwife so I guess I was destined to work with children one way or another!

RACHEL FLEVILL - Front of House.


Hi, I’m Rachel! My daughter has been with BEE Academy since she was 4 years old, she’s now 11, and she still absolutely loves it! I love the atmosphere and all the energy the kids bring each week.

I enjoy watching them all progress and gain confidence as they get older is such a wonderful thing.

Fun Fact
I was once on this morning as a guest!

Career Highlight
Being a volunteer teaching assistant and having parents ring the school to say I have made a difference in the child’s life and really helped.