Pre-School (Dinky Dancers), Pre-Primary and Primary Dance

These classes are designed for students from the age of 2.5 years plus. Through classical and modern dance techniques, students are encouraged to gently develop physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality using a range of sounds and musical styles. Our classes at this age are focused on engagement, fun and confidence building, however we run yearly examinations for those students who are keen. Students will be prepared for a successful transition to ballet and other dance genres at higher levels. Students are arranged by age in these classes, please add your child’s age when enquiring.

Classical Ballet, Grades 1-8

Students from the age of 7 can study for their Graded Classical Examinations, using the Royal Academy of Dance syllabi (www.rad.org.uk). Students will gain an increasing ability to demonstrate practical ballet knowledge with the appropriate technique, musicality and performance qualities required at each stage, as well as a great sense of pride and achievement.

The syllabi consists of three dance disciplines:

• Classical Ballet – The foundation for other dance genres, will build on technique, stamina and performance skills as students move up through the grades.
• Free Movement – this method of dance is influenced by and incorporates movements from other dance styles such as Natural Movement, Contemporary and Classical Greek Dance
• Character – the theatrical presentation of national dance using original ethnic dance and music which has been freely adapted for the theatre. The three styles — Hungarian, Russian and Polish — were selected because of their historic importance in the development of the nineteenth century full-length classical ballets.

Graded examinations are numbered progressively in order of complexity, from Grade 1 to Grade 8 Award. New students will be assessed on their age and ability and assigned to an appropriate class.

Vocational Graded Ballet, Intermediate Foundation to Advanced 2.

Students who are showing potential from Grade 4 level will be invited to join our Vocational programme for dancers. These classes are designed to sit alongside our weekly graded ballet classes, for those students who wish to dance at a professional level in the future. The vocational examinations include pointe work and increasingly complex exercises and dances which not only challenge our students’ technical skills, but push artistry and musicality to greater levels.

Modern Theatre Dance

Available for dancers aged 5+, this rhythmic dance style originated in America before traveling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions and is known for its theatrical qualities. This highly energetic dance style uses traveling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns requiring strength and flexibility.

Students will be placed in age/experience appropriate classes and will proceed to work through each grade. Examination classes are available from Primary up to advanced level using the ISTD syllabus.

Tap Dance

Tap dance is a high energy, theatrical form of dance often seen on stage in musicals. With origins from African dance, American dance, Irish dance and/or clog dancing; the dancer uses their feet to strike the floor and beat out different rhythms, wearing shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. 

Students are placed in age/experience appropriate classes and will proceed to work through each grade. Examination classes are available up to major level using the ISTD syllabus. Classes start from age 5+.

Acrobatic Arts

Our Acrobatic Arts Classes are a brilliant, energetic and fun classes based on the art of Acrodance. The programme is based on safe, effective progressions with proven results across five divisions: Flexibility, Strength, Balancing, Limbering and Tumbling. Developed by experts in ballet, modern jazz, gymnastics, yoga, physiotherapy, pilates and more, the programme is fully comprehensive to the needs of todays’ dancers. Simple and thoughtful progressions take the dancer from primary level (log rolls and somersaults) to advanced levels and professionally tumbling across the stage!

The classes also involve fun, fresh choreography, where the acrobatic skills meet dance technique in a perfect fusion!

Acrobatic Arts is suitable for students aged 5+ our classes are based on age, and we work to the individual dancers level of ability/experience.

Dance Fusion

New for 2021 this class is suitable for students wishing to explore many dance styles in a freer setting, not defined by syllabus goals or working to an examination. The class introduces many styles of dance including lyrical (otherwise known as contemporary), creative free movement, musical theatre and street dance.

Our main focus for this class is engagement with dance in a fun setting!

Students are placed in classes according to age and experience, from age 5+

Musical Theatre Dance

This class rounds up our weekly timetable with heaps of fun!

a non-syllabus class based on choreography from the hit musicals, with great music, great energy and plenty of fun! designed for those students who love performing and enjoy learning about different styles and techniques whilst doing routines.

Designed for students aged 7+

Contemporary Dance

For students aged 12+ with dance experience in ballet/modern grade 3 or above.

Our Contemporary Dance classes include an expressive form of dancing that draws influences from and combines elements from several dance genres including Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Urban and Classical Ballet. Contemporary Dance strives to connect the mind and body through fluid dance movements.

The school are very proud to have Eleanor Duval working alongside Principal Miss Bell, and other guest teachers. Eleanor trained at the Hamburg Opera in Germany and Rambert School in London and is a current performer with the Mark Bruce Company. Eleanor brings a huge amount of experience with her, along with highly advanced technique and performance skills.