A FORMER child actor is set to open a drama school in South Woodford.

Nic Knight, 28, who now runs a talent agency, appeared in various TV and film roles between the ages of six and 18 and now hopes pass on his expertise to the community.

The new school is the only one in the UK to be associated with the Anna Scher Theatre (AST) and uses elements of her teaching methods.

Mr Knight, who studied at the AST as a child, said: “Everyone was treated very much the same and made to jump through the same hoops.

“Anna was a real stickler for discipline and no one was treated as better or more important than anyone else.”

The school will be run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Woodford Parish Church Memorial Hall and is open to students aged six and up.

Mr Knight said: “Each term, we have an umbrella theme and we also have a 'Winston word' – Winston Churchill was said to have learned a new word every day and we're doing the same.”

He added that the classes use improvisation and encourage children to invent “lippy” characters if they want, but also uses a method called “olive branching”.

Mr Knight said: “It means their next improv has to be about two characters making up and apologising.”

Mr Knight has also worked with big name actors such as Charlotte Gainsbourg in the Franco Zeffirelli-directed Jane Eyre, and Numb3rs star David Krumholtz in Disney hit The Santa Clause.

“David Krumholtz is a massive New York Knicks fan and we used to play a lot of basketcall, while in full costume,” Mr Knight said.

“He was very, very funny and it was great to see him go on and do well.”

But as roles became harder to find, Mr Knight pursued a degree in Spanish at Bristol University before finally setting up Nic Knight Management Agency and now the new drama school.

He said: “For the moment, it will just be me teaching. It's something I enjoy and get a lot out of.”

Sessions are £5 each and include both adult and children's classes. Everyone’s first class is free.

For more information visit nicknightmanagement.com or call 0203 093 5422